Like many rural counties in Kentucky, Ballard County has a problem with bridges on secondary roads and their ability to withstand larger and larger farm equipment, grain truck traffic and general decay from years of service.

Tom Miller, Ballard County Agent for Ag and Natural Resources attended the Ky Soybean Board Promotion Day at Murray State University in January 2023.  Mike Steenhoek,  Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, gave a presentation on “Top 20 innovations for rural bridge repair.”  After the program, Tom talked with Mr. Steenhoek and got his contact information.

Mr. Miller then contacted Ballard County Judge Executive Todd Cooper and set up an email communication between Judge Cooper and Mr. Steenhoek.  To make a long story short, after exchanging emails and bridge specifications, Ballard County received a $10,000 grant from the Soy Transportation Coalition to implement a less costly method to repair the bridge on Fraser Road in the county.

Judge Cooper estimates that the new construction techniques saved $500,000 on this bridge alone and will save more money for the 8 to 10 bridges that currently need to be replaced sometime in the future.