FRANKFORT, Ky. — The expansion of the Mountain Parkway is another step closer to completion, as the Federal Highway Administration has given the state permission to obtain public comments on a Supplemental Environmental Assessment required to complete the project.

The assessment is for the final piece of the project, running from Salyersville to Prestonsburg. Officials say an entirely new route will cause fewer disruptions to homes and businesses than attempting to expand Route 114, which currently links Prestonsburg to the Parkway.

The 98-page assessment is required to determine the environmental, historical and archaeological impact of building the highway.

The public will now have until Feb. 26 to review the assessment and submit comments. You can find a copy of the assessment and instructions for how to submit comments on the project website, mtnparkway.com.