Pikeville in Pike County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Revolutionary Revitalization

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2025

1. Revolutionary Revitalization Marker

Inscription. The Model City/Urban Renewal Program, of which the Cut-Thru was the most extensive and expensive element, changed Pikeville forever. Arguably the most transformative, revolutionary small-town revitalization in the country, the Cut-Thru project took 14 years, involved blasting 23 million cubic yards of rock, moving 18 million cubic yards of dirt, included some 20 federal and state agencies, and carried a price tag of $80 million (the equivalent of $557+ million in 2024). The results are a channel—1300 feet wide, 3700 feet long, and 523 feet deep—into which the railroad tracks were relocated, the river diverted from flowing around downtown Pikeville, and corridors of US 23, US 119, US 460, and KY 80 were combined into one four-lane highway. The Cut-Thru opened access to or created 390 acres of flat land, nearly doubling the town’s usable property, all of which is free from the threat of flooding.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 28.344′ N, 82° 32.306′ W.

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Marker is in Pikeville, Kentucky, in Pike County. It is on Bob Amos Drive 1.6 miles south of Cedar Creek Road, on the right. It is at the end of Bob Amos Drive, at the overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Bob Amos Dr, Pikeville KY 41501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kentucky. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Timeline to Transformation (here, next to this marker); Mayor Hambley: Cut-Thru was ‘an act of God’ (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Timeline to Transformation (a few steps from this marker); Pikeville Cut-Through Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Trail of Fame (approx. half a mile away); a different

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2025

2. Revolutionary Revitalization Marker

The steep walkway in the background leads down to the nearby Pikeville Cut-Through marker and the observation platform.

marker also named Pikeville Cut-Through Project (approx. half a mile away); Pikeville Veterans Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Chair of Honor (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pikeville.

More about this marker. This interpretive panel has six photographs showing flood damage over the years. They are captioned as follows.

Hibbard Street 1957
Middle Bridge 1963
First Baptist Church 1977
1957 Pikeville College Academy can be seen upper left
Every flood brought misery, downtown businesses lost inventory as well as furnishings and equipment.
April 5, 1977, the morning after, snow fell that afternoon

Pikeville Cut-Through Overlook at Noon on a Rainy Day image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2025

3. Pikeville Cut-Through Overlook at Noon on a Rainy Day

Four interpretive panels and four metal benches are arrayed around this viewing area. This panel is just out of frame on the right. Pikeville is in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.