PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WJHL) — A significant milestone was reached in Kentucky as officials celebrated the completion of the new U.S. 460, stretching from the Virginia state line to U.S. 23 near Pikeville. The last segment of this long-awaited project is set to open to traffic on Friday.

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Thursday to commemorate the opening of the final 5.2-mile stretch, which runs between Marrowbone and the Russell Fork bridge near Elkhorn City. According to the governor’s office, this segment will be accessible to drivers on Friday morning, following the removal of remaining barricades.

Governor Andy Beshear expressed the significance of this development, stating, “For over thirty years, leaders and community members have dreamed of a modern highway that would enhance commerce, travel, and opportunities in Eastern Kentucky. Today, that dream becomes a reality as we unveil a completed four-lane highway, allowing Kentuckians to reach essential destinations—such as schools, recreational areas, and healthcare facilities—more quickly and safely.”

This new four-lane route replaces the old, winding U.S. 460, promising increased safety and improved traffic flow. Officials note that it will reduce the travel distance between Pikeville and Grundy, Virginia, from 43 miles down to 33 miles.

Spanning 16.7 miles, this highway segment has been a long time in the making. Planning began in 1990, and construction kicked off in 2002. According to the governor’s office, the project, which comes with an $800 million price tag, saw its first eight miles open in December 2014, followed by an additional 3.5 miles in 2020.

The new 16.7-mile stretch between the Virginia state line and U.S. 23 near Pikeville has been decades in the making. Planning began in 1990 and construction got underway in 2002, according to the governor’s office. The first eight miles of the nearly $800 million project opened in December 2024. Another 3.5 miles opened in 2020.

Virginia recently completed a segment of the new US 460 in Buchanan County, leaving just two miles left to be constructed between the state line and Grundy. The final segment is scheduled to open in late 2027.