JACKSON – A section of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway will be widened to four lanes, say state highway officials, who will hold a public hearing to discuss the project next week.

Residents of Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe counties have been invited by the Kentucky Department of Highways to attend a public hearing to discuss the project, which would make the highway a four-lane between Exit 57 at Helechawa in Wolfe County and Exit 75 near Salyersville in Magoffin County.

The public hearing is set for Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Lakefront Church of God on Route 134 in Magoffin County.

Among the plans for the discussion will be to have officials with the state highway department on hand to field questions from those in attendance, in addition to project consultants. The hope is that those questions can be incorporated into the overall project.

To this end, a court reporter will be present to take oral statements from those interested in providing input on the project.

There will also be a 15-day public comment period after the meeting and exhibits will be available at the Highway District 10 office in Jackson.

The proposed project will widen the Mountain Parkway to four lanes and reconfigure and improve interchange access points along the route, highway officials say.

The project is now in the preliminary design and environmental assessment stage. Right of way purchase and construction dates have not yet been set.