On Thursday, October 18, 2018, during a community forum in Harlan, Governor Matt Bevin announced the approval of $802,000 in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet funding to reconstruct a half-mile section of US 421 in Harlan County. This project will eliminate chronic flooding along the route that stretches to the Virginia State Line. The funds will be used to raise the roadway, providing safe and reliable access for motorists who rely on this route to access homes and jobs and to transport goods.