The state has taken the next big step toward completing the Mountain Parkway expansion project.

Last week it was announced that every section of the Mountain Parkway expansion is either completed under construction or under contract.

The last part of the project will connect Saulnierville to Preston's Berg today.

Speaking on the project, Governor Andy Beshear said the state is fulfilling a 60 year promise to eastern Kentucky.

He went on to say a four lane mountain parkway means economic growth and more choices for communities and future generations.

Every day that goes by that we have this underdevelopment, that we don't have it done is one day that the citizens of Eastern Kentucky lack the artery that they need for a better life.

I mean, we call it an artery, and we all think about our circulatory system.

It's what brings life to different parts of our body.

And it's what's going to bring so many jobs and so much economic development to this region.

And we talk about that in terms and phrases like economic development.

But what it is, is opportunity for our kids and for the kids in eastern Kentucky that far too often have been faced with the tough choice of moving or changing their dreams.

This is going to unlock possibilities where no matter how big they dream, no matter what they want to do in life, they can chase it right there in eastern Kentucky.

When completed, the Mountain Parkway expansion project will close the only gap in a 400 mile, four lane high speed corridor that runs from Pikeville to Paducah.