May 6, 2015. Lexington, KY – As many are aware, the recent rains and flooding in Miller Fork Recreational Preserve and the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve took a heavy toll on the roads and bridges. The RRGCC put out a call to help and our community came through in a big way! Many of you donated and several hardy souls helped put our washed away bridges back in place. One member of the local community came up big in a way we didn't anticipate and we are very grateful!

Mr. Bernard Benningfield, a Powell County resident, contacted the RRGCC after noting the damage caused by the recent flooding. He offered his services and those of the company he works for, ATS Construction. In a meeting with RRGCC President Bentley Brackett, Mr. Benningfield expressed his desire to work with the RRGCC to address our immediate needs and foster a relationship for the future. He offered to fix the road leading into the MFRP, with ATS donating the manpower, equipment, and expertise to get the job done.

ATS Construction is a third generation family-owned road construction company based in Lexington, KY. They have several locations across the Central Kentucky Bluegrass Region and work all across the area.

Mr. Benningfield and ATS certainly came through on their promise to go the extra mile. Work began on Friday morning and continued into Saturday afternoon. Huge improvements were made, not only repairing the road but also re-routing it in order to lessen the chance of a washout happening again. Five culverts were upgraded and replaced, and two new culverts were installed. A 500 foot section of road was relocated to higher ground, the rest of the road was graded, and poor drainage areas were addressed. The existing parking lot was also graded. All told, 150 tons of stone were laid.

We cannot express our gratitude to Mr. Benningfield and ATS Construction enough. As a local resident, Mr. Benningfield is very active in his community. A member of the Powell County Search and Rescue Team, Mr. Benningfield is also an avid hiker who enjoys spending time in the Red River Gorge with his wife, Lisa. He has clearly shown that he is an excellent steward of the land and community he loves!

The road leading to the MFRP is in the best shape it has ever been! While there is still work to be done to ensure the road stays in good condition, it is now completely passable, making it easier for you to enjoy the land you own!

About the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition
The Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working to ensure open, public access to quality outdoor rock climbing opportunities in and around Red River Gorge, Kentucky. The RRGCC works to conserve the natural environment on publicly managed and privately owned land by protecting, promoting, and ensuring responsible climbing. The RRGCC is an affiliate of the Access Fund and a member of the Land Trust Alliance, operating according to the LTA's national land trust standards and practices. For more information, visit rrgcc.org.

About ATS Construction
ATS Construction is a third generation family owned road construction company with operations that have served the Central Kentucky's Bluegrass Region since the 1950's. ATS Construction delivers superior service and quality workmanship while utilizing a safety-oriented approach. We are a full service highway contractor, which employs a dedicated, well trained, professional workforce capable of performing all types of highway and road projects. The ATS team of engineering, project management, technical consulting, estimating, and material testing personnel can meet the needs and schedule of your project–including Public Works, Commercial, Industrial, Farms and Private Residential. Our well-maintained fleet of equipment utilizes the latest computer and GPS systems to ensure your project is completed to your specifications. We strive to deliver the highest quality product at an economical price and will go the extra mile to deliver your project on time and on budget. For more information, visit atsconstruction.com.

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