Kentucky

[seicer]

KYTC is proposing improvements to the I-71/75 interchange area, including mainline widening of I-71 to six lanes and ramp widening to three through lanes, among other work: https://www.i71improvements.org/

[Life in Paradise]

KYTC is proposing improvements to the I-71/75 interchange area, including mainline widening of I-71 to six lanes and ramp widening to three through lanes, among other work: https://www.i71improvements.org/

I have to make periodic trips to Cincinnati from Southern Indiana, and I have thought for as long as I have made that trip (25 years), that I-71 should be 6 lanes through most of the area.  There is a lot of traffic going through there.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Once they widen 71 fin the project area, it will only be a matter of time before it will need to be widened all the way to Louisville. 

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjZqT53xASffX3kVA
I see I-69 shields ( not Purchase Parkway ) are up on KY 339 at Wingo now the new ramps are completed there.

[ITB]

Couple of noteworthy events are happening in Owensboro this weekend.

On September 14th, the annual Bridge Walk will take place. Between the hours of 7:30am and noon, Owensboro Bridge will be closed to traffic and open to the public to walk the bridge.

Also, the Owensboro Air Show will be taking place from September 13-15.

[jnewkirk77]

Once they widen 71 fin the project area, it will only be a matter of time before it will need to be widened all the way to Louisville. 

Widening is already ongoing between the Gene Snyder (I-265) and KY 329 in Oldham County.

[Cody606]

Would anyone know where I can find information on what crews are currently doing on KY-199? Curious what the end goal is as it has been being worked on for a while now.

[hbelkins]

Would anyone know where I can find information on what crews are currently doing on KY-199? Curious what the end goal is as it has been being worked on for a while now.

Contact KYTC District 12. kytc.district12info@ky.gov is the email address.

[seicer]

Some updates from things I've uncovered

Newport Two-Way Feasibility Study: The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of converting the one-way couplets of Monmouth/York Streets and 4th/5th Streets in Newport, Kentucky to two-way operation.

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US 27 Access Management between Nicholasville and Lexington. IMO, this should have been a four-lane highway with limited access (with intersections) when it was widened decades ago. Instead, we got a highway with a center-turn median and uncontrolled access. This alleviates many of those issues with extended turn lanes and RCUTs.

Similarly, an RCUT will be built on a recently widened section of US 27 in Garrard County.

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There is an ongoing study to evaluate US 68 from Wilmore to Shakertown. Considerations will be made in conjunction with a planned replacement of the Kentucky River bridge.

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The Russell Fork Bridge on future US 460 in Pike County appears to be finished!

[seicer]

Transportation Cabinet to Hold Public Meeting Nov. 19 for KY 57 Reconstruction Project in Fleming County

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2024) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will hold a public meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19, to inform residents and gather input on a proposed roadway reconstruction project along KY 57 north of Flemingsburg in Fleming County.

The project will extend KY 57 from the north end of the previously completed KY 57 Flemingsburg Bypass project to the recently completed bridge replacement project at the Fleming-Lewis county line. This meeting is needed to gather information from the public and answer questions about the KY 57 roadway project. Information concerning Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act will also be available for anyone interested.

The meeting will be a public open house event, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. Anyone interested in this project is welcome to attend. Transportation Cabinet representatives and their consultants will be available to receive comments and respond to questions.

Both written and oral statements will be accepted at the meeting. A tape recorder will be made available for those who desire to make oral statements, and a comment sheet will be distributed to make it more convenient to provide written comments. Written statements will be accepted at the meeting and for a period of 15 days after the Public Information Meeting. Written statements should be addressed to Blake Jones, P.E., Kentucky Department of Highways, District 9 Office, P.O. Box 347, Flemingsburg, KY  41041, or returned using the postage-paid envelope provided with the comment sheet.

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Related is a project to reconstruct KY 57 from the Fleming County line to the AA Highway/KY 9: https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictNine/Pages/KY-57-Fleming-Lewis.aspx (can the KYTC finally drop SharePoint and hire an actual web developer so that these district pages can come into some order and accessibility compliance?)

[hbelkins]

Transportation Cabinet to Hold Public Meeting Nov. 19 for KY 57 Reconstruction Project in Fleming County

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2024) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will hold a public meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19, to inform residents and gather input on a proposed roadway reconstruction project along KY 57 north of Flemingsburg in Fleming County.

The project will extend KY 57 from the north end of the previously completed KY 57 Flemingsburg Bypass project to the recently completed bridge replacement project at the Fleming-Lewis county line. This meeting is needed to gather information from the public and answer questions about the KY 57 roadway project. Information concerning Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act will also be available for anyone interested.

The meeting will be a public open house event, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. Anyone interested in this project is welcome to attend. Transportation Cabinet representatives and their consultants will be available to receive comments and respond to questions.

Both written and oral statements will be accepted at the meeting. A tape recorder will be made available for those who desire to make oral statements, and a comment sheet will be distributed to make it more convenient to provide written comments. Written statements will be accepted at the meeting and for a period of 15 days after the Public Information Meeting. Written statements should be addressed to Blake Jones, P.E., Kentucky Department of Highways, District 9 Office, P.O. Box 347, Flemingsburg, KY  41041, or returned using the postage-paid envelope provided with the comment sheet.

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Related is a project to reconstruct KY 57 from the Fleming County line to the AA Highway/KY 9: https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictNine/Pages/KY-57-Fleming-Lewis.aspx (can the KYTC finally drop SharePoint and hire an actual web developer so that these district pages can come into some order and accessibility compliance?)

Two points:

1.) I can't imagine there being that much of a demand for new construction along that corridor. Traffic counts range from 2,100 to 3,300 along the route, which really isn't that bad in terms of alignment and grade. I can think of a lot more roads that need rebuilding before that one.

2.) The Commonwealth Office of Technology is employing a consultant to audit state Web sites for ADA compliance. KYTC is actively identifying pages for priority review.

[seicer]

I think the KY 57 improvements are more for safety. It's a relatively narrow road with no shoulders and narrow bridges on rolling terrain. I would think flattening the grades and providing 4' shoulders would be all that is needed - I'm not a fan of making every road with 11' or 12' lanes and 10' shoulders as it's rarely justified in situations like this.

Related to this, the US 460 improvement project in Bourbon County (working westward from Paris) looks great. It improves upon the existing roadway alignment. However, this involves rebuilding the roadway from the base, widening it, adding shoulders, and keeping some historical context intact. While the roadway won't be shaded by a canopy of trees, perhaps in 50 years, mature trees will once again line it. The next phase of this project extends improvements into Scott County (to Georgetown).

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KY 1939 Improvements near US 27
This involves improvements near this intersection in Paris.

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KY 2881 Duncannon Rd - Madison County Airport
Alt 3A and 2B were selected, and construction will begin next year. This is a typical rural road with 11' lanes and 6' shoulders and will connect Madison Airport Road to KY 52 (map).


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Related, Google Maps now has the new KY 52 alignment shown (map).

[seicer]

Clays Ferry Bridge Closure Detour Study

The objective of the study was twofold. First was to identify detour options and determine ways to optimize operations within the existing network in the event of an unplanned, long-term closure on I-75. Second was to determine options for a new corridor for a potential river crossing that would help capacity constraints on existing routes caused by a closure on I-75.

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This is a study of officially marked detour routes for/if the Clays Ferry Bridge (Interstate 75, US 25, US 421) is closed. The three detour routes identified include crossings of the Kentucky River at US 127/KY 151, US 27, and KY 627, which include other roads that connect to those river crossings identified as substandard. This also includes potential build options for new bridge corridors near the Clays Ferry Bridge.

(I was involved with providing imagery for this study.)

[Revive 755]

So KY 286 is now signed only for local traffic (with either very inadequate or non-existant advance signing) but still using a control city of Wickliffe for westbound and Paducah for EB, complete with a 'To I-24' assembly?

[jnewkirk77]

So KY 286 is now signed only for local traffic (with either very inadequate or non-existant advance signing) but still using a control city of Wickliffe for westbound and Paducah for EB, complete with a 'To I-24' assembly?

The goal is to direct heavy trucks away from 286. There were 119 accidents (40 with injuries and 5 fatal; 30 involving Class 8 trucks) in the 3 years before the first "No Trucks" signs were posted late in 2023. I'm not sure the reason for the change to "Local Traffic Only" signage.

If they're going to do this right, they need to post signage such as what was used when KYTC banned trucks on KY 151 in Anderson and Franklin counties 8 years ago. The linked picture shows the sign well ahead of the US 127/KY 151 intersection.

[seicer]

So KY 286 is now signed only for local traffic (with either very inadequate or non-existant advance signing) but still using a control city of Wickliffe for westbound and Paducah for EB, complete with a 'To I-24' assembly?

District 1's signing standards are not that great.

[hbelkins]

Related, Google Maps now has the new KY 52 alignment shown (map).

Got confirmation that the new KY 52 alignment is now open, but I don't know if signage has been changed on I-75 or US 25/421 on the east side of Richmond.

Also, the new bypass of Campbellsville is now open and is signed as KY 55. The terminus of KY 210 has been extended from the old intersection with US 68/KY 70 to the southern end of the new bypass. KY 55 makes 90-degree turns at KY 210 southeast of town and at US 68 north of town.

[seicer]

District 1 is hosting a public information meeting on December 12 regarding improvements to US 51 through Clinton in Hickman County (item 01-80203.00). This was the subject of an earlier planning study from 2004 that evaluated two bypass options and improvements throughout the town. Ultimately, three alternatives were carried through:

• Alt 2B: Improving the US 51, KY 58, and KY 123 intersection.
• Alt 2C: Addressing US 51 through Clinton.
• Alt 3: Reconstructing US 51 as a two-lane road with a center turn lane south of town.

Alt 6, an eastern bypass, was dropped from consideration, although it can be reevaluated if traffic counts increase substantially.

I don't have details of the work that could take place, but my bet is that this will be a combination of Alt 2B, 2C, and 3, providing a two-lane road with a center turn lane south of town, new pedestrian infrastructure throughout Clinton, and reworking several intersections.

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District 6 is hosting a meeting on December 11 about replacing the Carrollton-Prestonville Bridge on US 42. The recommended alternative is to replace the crossing with a bridge on the structure's north side. The bridge is weight-restricted and is undergoing structural repairs that will keep it in serviceable condition for a few more years, which is surprising given its poor condition, given that it was built in 1952.

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District 7 hosted a meeting two days ago regarding improvements to KY 52 (Lancaster Road) between KY 1805 (Goggin Lane) and KY 590 (Hubble Road) near Danville in Boyle County. These improvements follow a corridor study conducted in 2022, and focuses on improvements between points C and D on the corridor study map.

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Section 1A of the KY 2827 (East Nicholasville Bypass) opened on November 22. This 2-mile segment extends from KY 39 (Sulfur Well Road) and KY 169 (Union Mill Road). It features limited access, four lanes, a raised median, a shared-use path, and two multi-lane roundabouts. You can see the extension practically complete on Google Maps.

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There are now further weight restrictions on the Clark Memorial Bridge on US 31 over the Ohio River in Louisville-Clarksville because of structural deterioration on the 95-year-old crossing. One sidewalk is now closed completely. I am not surprised that trucks are not prohibited entirely, but it would be challenging to enforce further restrictions given its direct connection to Interstate 65. I'm also amazed it still has four lanes, given how narrow the lane widths are and how fast traffic speeds on the bridge. Some sort of traffic calming, such as including a much-needed multi-use path and reducing lanes, could slow traffic down.

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The bulk of the work at the Interstate 64 and 265 interchange is =AT1JOS7qBL4mm3vI4koNp4MjHqUGeusWSymmH_bUJbMeElGu4LKLzaTKTerlWrKyHshNeg7t527hOTKri1iPyVVS2Zelv9719E58apHjI8DcZ19Tcw3-fRTqPkLhGmHuQTpC-rKknXpnGixlpd8n2LViVEdwePinlBDPxs-lte0C6RxjcjX1tXoWmbOTcX725ULIEq3btPaz2lQjdxhtzae6e8c_yCVmRrP-3I4ogoVKP3u0lw0]complete. The six-lane improvements to the north have been much welcomed, too.

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=AZUUEtfnP-gW_b3R6S-xuIid4heRYu0JtjAwckc2Xv1qJVaAijnkwPqQzfH1jwSLCvN9uBdnaxAyDIjUH0rBhZtOkul4bcai_15ihfHIdHDLmHqLjKSzK-qTm56WzIHW56NBp1aiVkAMVO3CUATaZ2deyUMRELzii57HwCCDnGsfXGF8WRf9osSzNvNg1EUc2aI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R]
=AZUUEtfnP-gW_b3R6S-xuIid4heRYu0JtjAwckc2Xv1qJVaAijnkwPqQzfH1jwSLCvN9uBdnaxAyDIjUH0rBhZtOkul4bcai_15ihfHIdHDLmHqLjKSzK-qTm56WzIHW56NBp1aiVkAMVO3CUATaZ2deyUMRELzii57HwCCDnGsfXGF8WRf9osSzNvNg1EUc2aI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R]New roundabouts are coming to the US 31W and US 62 interchange in Elizabethtown. This road is a design nightmare: fast-moving traffic mixed with multiple driveway entrances and heavily used intersections.

[hbelkins]

Related, Google Maps now has the new KY 52 alignment shown (map).

Checked this out yesterday. Although the project was advertised as a relocation of KY 52, it is actually signed as a westward extension of KY 2872.

After seeing that, I drove to check out the new KY 55 bypass of Campbellsville. Although much of the "2+1" configuration of the Heartland Parkway (KY 555/KY 55 between the Bluegrass Parkway and Columbia) is either complete or under construction, the KY 55 bypass was built as only a two-lane route with little room for widening into a "2+1" configuration.

Also, there have been roundabouts (grrr) installed at KY 55/KY 555/Business US 150 and KY 555/KY 528 in Springfield. It also appears that one will be installed at KY 555 and US 150 in conjunction with "2+1" widening.

[seicer]

A proposal to build a bridge at the ferry site is moving forward.

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Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiated the Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study, KYTC Item No. 3-80200.00 in Monroe County to evaluate an array of options to maintain a connection for Turkey Neck Bend Road (KY 214) across the Cumberland River.

The Turkey Neck Bend study area, shown in Figure ES-1, crosses the Cumberland River at KY 214 milepoint (MP) 1.54 and ends at MP 1.9 in southeastern Monroe County, Kentucky. KY 214 is a two␂lane east-west collector with eight- to nine-foot lanes that provides a connection between KY 100 in Monroe County to KY 61 in Cumberland County, serving mostly sparsely populated, rural farmland areas.

The Turkey Neck Bend Ferry, formerly a privately-owned operation, was acquired by KYTC in 1968 and is the only free KYTC␂operated ferry open 24 hours per day. It connects KY 214 across the Cumberland River at an area known as McMillian's Landing, and a ferry service has operated in the area since before the American Civil War. The ferry currently transports an average of 200 vehicles per day (VPD) across the river, including emergency response vehicles and Monroe County School District students via SUV

[seicer]

The Sherman Minton Bridge, which carries Interstate 64 and US Route 150 over the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana, has fully reopened after a multi-year rehabilitation.

Completed in 1962, the double-deck steel through-arch bridge was named for Sherman Minton, a New Albany native and former U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice.

In September 2011, inspectors discovered structural steel deficiencies and cracking linked to the original use of T1 steel, known for its susceptibility to cracking. The bridge was closed for several months for repairs before reopening in February 2012. A more extensive rehabilitation from 2021 to 2024 has extended the bridge's lifespan by an estimated 30 years.

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[Georgia Guardrail]

A proposal to build a bridge at the ferry site is moving forward.

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Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiated the Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study, KYTC Item No. 3-80200.00 in Monroe County to evaluate an array of options to maintain a connection for Turkey Neck Bend Road (KY 214) across the Cumberland River.

The Turkey Neck Bend study area, shown in Figure ES-1, crosses the Cumberland River at KY 214 milepoint (MP) 1.54 and ends at MP 1.9 in southeastern Monroe County, Kentucky. KY 214 is a two␂lane east-west collector with eight- to nine-foot lanes that provides a connection between KY 100 in Monroe County to KY 61 in Cumberland County, serving mostly sparsely populated, rural farmland areas.

The Turkey Neck Bend Ferry, formerly a privately-owned operation, was acquired by KYTC in 1968 and is the only free KYTC␂operated ferry open 24 hours per day. It connects KY 214 across the Cumberland River at an area known as McMillian's Landing, and a ferry service has operated in the area since before the American Civil War. The ferry currently transports an average of 200 vehicles per day (VPD) across the river, including emergency response vehicles and Monroe County School District students via SUV

Speaking of ferries, I hope they build a bridge on SR 169 over the KY river though I don't know if they have enough traffic down there to justify that.

[hbelkins]

A proposal to build a bridge at the ferry site is moving forward.

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Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiated the Turkey Neck Bend Bridge Feasibility Study, KYTC Item No. 3-80200.00 in Monroe County to evaluate an array of options to maintain a connection for Turkey Neck Bend Road (KY 214) across the Cumberland River.

The Turkey Neck Bend study area, shown in Figure ES-1, crosses the Cumberland River at KY 214 milepoint (MP) 1.54 and ends at MP 1.9 in southeastern Monroe County, Kentucky. KY 214 is a two␂lane east-west collector with eight- to nine-foot lanes that provides a connection between KY 100 in Monroe County to KY 61 in Cumberland County, serving mostly sparsely populated, rural farmland areas.

The Turkey Neck Bend Ferry, formerly a privately-owned operation, was acquired by KYTC in 1968 and is the only free KYTC␂operated ferry open 24 hours per day. It connects KY 214 across the Cumberland River at an area known as McMillian's Landing, and a ferry service has operated in the area since before the American Civil War. The ferry currently transports an average of 200 vehicles per day (VPD) across the river, including emergency response vehicles and Monroe County School District students via SUV

Speaking of ferries, I hope they build a bridge on SR 169 over the KY river though I don't know if they have enough traffic down there to justify that.

There's some sort of clause in the contract for the Valley View Ferry that prohibits building a bridge within a certain distance of the ferry crossing. At least that's what I've always heard.

[seicer]

Two new planning studies were recently released:

KY 32 Planning Study for Carlisle and Nicholas County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiated a corridor study of KY 32 (North Broadway/Meyers Road) in Nicholas County to evaluate safety and mobility enhancements for roadway users. The study area spans approximately five miles, beginning at the intersection with KY 36 (Main Street) in Carlisle and extending northeast towards Fleming County to the bridge over the TTI Railroad and Scrubgrass Creek.

In short, a full reconstruction ($61 million) of the corridor to create a roadway with a 45 MPH design speed was dismissed due to the high costs and significant environmental and property impacts. Other options are being considered, including pedestrian network improvements in Carlisle and roadway improvements elsewhere.

Interestingly, the traffic signal would be removed with In-Town D, but the long left-turn lane would remain. Ideally, the turn lane would be eliminated, and additional parking spaces would be added.

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Interstate 64 Interchange and Connector Study

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiated this study to evaluate the need for and feasibility of providing increased access to I-64 in eastern Jefferson or western Shelby County. The current system provides no access to the interstate between Exit 19 at I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway) and Exit 28 at KY 1848 (Buck Creek Road) for Simpsonville, a distance of about nine miles. The I-64/I-265 system interchange does not provide access to surface streets: it is another 1-2 miles beyond to enter/exit the interstate system. This is the longest gap in interstate access anywhere in Jefferson County and the longest along I-64 anywhere in Kentucky's urban areas.

Three build options are presented. I would recommend Option A for connectivity as it connects KY 155/KY 148 with US 60, with an interchange at Echo Trail. The most significant downside is the proximity to Beckley Creek Park and Floyds Fork. Corridor B follows KY 1531 between KY 155/KY 148 and US 60. It has significantly more environmental impacts.  Corridor C is the furthest east, but it has the lowest cost and fewest impacts because of its much lower forecasted traffic counts.

Corridor B was eliminated from consideration in further reviews.