I-69 in KY

[GreenLanternCorps]

It shows up on Google Street View now: https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7262519,-88.6745939,3a,51.4y,81.51h,102.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stpxjluVOLlonN77KNtFxqw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The best they could do was 50 mph for the curve?  I foresee that interchange developing a crash problem, and have to wonder if a brief section of new alignment to the west would not have been a better option.

They did move the road slightly North and West when converting to a four lane highway from the ramp it was before.

Move the whole highway further West would have increased the costs of this project exponentially.   Rebuilding the existing ramp into a freeway is more cost effective and it is hardly the only place in the Interstate system with restricted speeds,

[rte66man]

It shows up on Google Street View now: https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7262519,-88.6745939,3a,51.4y,81.51h,102.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stpxjluVOLlonN77KNtFxqw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The best they could do was 50 mph for the curve?  I foresee that interchange developing a crash problem, and have to wonder if a brief section of new alignment to the west would not have been a better option.

I can't figure out from the map or Street View exactly what is going on with SB 45. What's up with that weird weaving ramp?  It looks as if you should be able to go straight to continue south on 45 so why did they add that other ramp?

[NE2]

It's just a trumpet. Google sucks ass.

[ThatRandomOshawott]

Several signs in Mayfield have been updated for I-69.
A "To Interstate 69" sign is now at the intersection of KY-121 (Castleman Bypass) and KY-58.
The signs at the interchange with US 45 have been updated.
The signs at the intersection of US 45 and KY-121 have been updated.

[triplemultiplex]

Since the Feds let Kentucky sign I-165 with two remaining 'parkway' interchanges, they might as well put in to get the rest of 69 signed in western Kentucky.  It only has one old 'parkway' interchange.  If something gets tweaked at the TN state line when that situation in South Fulton gets resolved, big deal.  Shouldn't stop the shields from going up.  Then KY can say they're done with I-69 except for the Ohio River bridge.

I've driven both in the last week or so and seeing the old interchanges on 165 made me want to bring this up.
Hell, with that precedent, there's nothing stopping KY from asking for I-numbers for all of their connected parkways and them being granted.

[ilpt4u]

Hell, with that precedent, there's nothing stopping KY from asking for I-numbers for all of their connected parkways and them being granted.

I believe an Extended I-71 designation has been floated around (probably on the Fictional board) for the "rest"  of the Western KY Pkwy that has not already received the I-69 Shield

Could even "bump"  I-69 and then continue I-71 down the Pennyrile Pkwy to Hopkinsville and I-24

[triplemultiplex]

The rest of the Pennyrile is slated to become I-169, isn't it?

[abqtraveler]

The rest of the Pennyrile is slated to become I-169, isn't it?

Eventually. "Future I-169" signs are posted along the remaining non-interstate portion of the Pennyrile, but the FHWA is requiring KYTC to upgrade some of the substandard interchanges before they will approve the I-169 designation for signing.

[sparker]

Hell, with that precedent, there's nothing stopping KY from asking for I-numbers for all of their connected parkways and them being granted.

I believe an Extended I-71 designation has been floated around (probably on the Fictional board) for the "rest"  of the Western KY Pkwy that has not already received the I-69 Shield

Could even "bump"  I-69 and then continue I-71 down the Pennyrile Pkwy to Hopkinsville and I-24

The rest of the Pennyrile is slated to become I-169, isn't it?

Eventually. "Future I-169" signs are posted along the remaining non-interstate portion of the Pennyrile, but the FHWA is requiring KYTC to upgrade some of the substandard interchanges before they will approve the I-169 designation for signing.

Extending I-71 down the WKY is an idea with a lot of merit -- although if there was a snowball's chance in hell that the Bluegrass would connect to another Interstate in the Frankfort/Lexington area, a new even 2di from the 46-62 pool would be preferred for the WKY/Bluegrass continuum.  But I'd simply terminate 71 at the 69/169 junction and leave I-169 alone; an unnecessary left turn would be gratuitous.   After all, 71's the next odd number up from 69 -- using that designation to delineate a pretty damn direct route into Ohio from Memphis and points beyond would be quite appropriate.

[hbelkins]

Hell, with that precedent, there's nothing stopping KY from asking for I-numbers for all of their connected parkways and them being granted.

I believe an Extended I-71 designation has been floated around (probably on the Fictional board) for the "rest"  of the Western KY Pkwy that has not already received the I-69 Shield

Could even "bump"  I-69 and then continue I-71 down the Pennyrile Pkwy to Hopkinsville and I-24

The rest of the Pennyrile is slated to become I-169, isn't it?

Eventually. "Future I-169" signs are posted along the remaining non-interstate portion of the Pennyrile, but the FHWA is requiring KYTC to upgrade some of the substandard interchanges before they will approve the I-169 designation for signing.

Extending I-71 down the WKY is an idea with a lot of merit -- although if there was a snowball's chance in hell that the Bluegrass would connect to another Interstate in the Frankfort/Lexington area, a new even 2di from the 46-62 pool would be preferred for the WKY/Bluegrass continuum.  But I'd simply terminate 71 at the 69/169 junction and leave I-169 alone; an unnecessary left turn would be gratuitous.   After all, 71's the next odd number up from 69 -- using that designation to delineate a pretty damn direct route into Ohio from Memphis and points beyond would be quite appropriate.

69 must be the hot new brand. I-124 would be an equally-appropriate designation. Actually, since it will link two interstates, an even-numbered first digit would be even more appropriate. I-224, anyone?

[sparker]

^^^^^^^^^^
Since the future I-169 will be, as far as a trajectory is concerned, a southern "extension" of the I-69 alignment, it -- or any x69 designation -- would be quite appropriate.  But yes, all the parties involved are trying to "sell" the "69 family" as legitimate -- and practical -- corridor concepts.  I suppose 269, 469, or 669 could have been used as well, but the cat left the bag regarding use of odd-integer 3di prefixes to connect other Interstate routes (cf. I-135, I-780, I-380 in PA, etc.) quite some time ago -- so precedent has certainly been set for deployment as I-169. 

[The Ghostbuster]

I agree that Interstate 169 should have had an even first digit (ditto with proposed Interstate 369). In any event, what upgrades are necessary to bring the Pennyrile Parkway between Interstates 24 and 69 up to Interstate Standards?

[wriddle082]

I agree that Interstate 169 should have had an even first digit (ditto with proposed Interstate 369). In any event, what upgrades are necessary to bring the Pennyrile Parkway between Interstates 24 and 69 up to Interstate Standards?

Honestly I think simply fixing the Exit 11 bow tie at KY 1682, some pavement upgrades on the older northern portion, and some guardrails and/or cable barriers.  The newest portion south of Alt US 41 should be fully compliant since it opened around 2009 or 2010.

[hbelkins]

I agree that Interstate 169 should have had an even first digit (ditto with proposed Interstate 369). In any event, what upgrades are necessary to bring the Pennyrile Parkway between Interstates 24 and 69 up to Interstate Standards?

Honestly I think simply fixing the Exit 11 bow tie at KY 1682, some pavement upgrades on the older northern portion, and some guardrails and/or cable barriers.  The newest portion south of Alt US 41 should be fully compliant since it opened around 2009 or 2010.

The US 41 exit just south of US 62 probably also needs some work. That's a remnant from when there was only a US 41 freeway in that area and the Pennyrile was added on at either end.

I'm guessing median width on the new portion is probably also not quite up to standards, but that doesn't seem to matter with converting the other parkways.

[wriddle082]

I agree that Interstate 169 should have had an even first digit (ditto with proposed Interstate 369). In any event, what upgrades are necessary to bring the Pennyrile Parkway between Interstates 24 and 69 up to Interstate Standards?

Honestly I think simply fixing the Exit 11 bow tie at KY 1682, some pavement upgrades on the older northern portion, and some guardrails and/or cable barriers.  The newest portion south of Alt US 41 should be fully compliant since it opened around 2009 or 2010.

The US 41 exit just south of US 62 probably also needs some work. That's a remnant from when there was only a US 41 freeway in that area and the Pennyrile was added on at either end.

I'm guessing median width on the new portion is probably also not quite up to standards, but that doesn't seem to matter with converting the other parkways.

Yes, that US 62 Exit 33 might need the ramps lengthened.  The US 41 exit may be ok, or may simply need the ramps lengthened a little.

And the guardrails and cable barriers I had mentioned would go in the median, due to the slightly substandard width.  I don't recall there being any raised median sections like what much of the WK Parkway once suffered from.

I drove the Pennyrile Pkwy fairly often in 2004, as I did quite a bit of work in some of the towns along the route that year, including Hopkinsville, Crofton, Earlington, Madisonville, and Sebree.

[sprjus4]

Despite median widths being included in interstate standards, it seems nowadays there's not much care. For example, Texas is building all of their new interstates largely with a 10 foot left paved shoulder & barrier and it qualifies.

The large thing is simply if the cross section meets standards (i.e. 12 foot lanes, 10 foot paved right shoulder, and 4 foot paved left shoulder), bridges are adequate, ramp lengths are adequate (not too small / narrow), height clearances on bridges, etc.

[GreenLanternCorps]

The latest 2020 Recommended Highway Plan at https://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2020-Recommended-Highway-Plan.aspx with highlights below:

Interstates and Parkways


I-69

• 1-25.00 | D/R/U: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway at the Kentucky and Tennessee state line to US 51
• 1-26.00 | C | FY 2025 | $18 million: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway between US 51 and Cardinal Road near Mayfield, including the KY 339 interchange in Wingo
• 2-1088.20 | C | FY 2022-25 | $267 million: Construct the portion of I-69 Ohio River Bridge project from KY 425/Henderson Bypass to US 60
• 2-1088.50 | C | FY 2025 | $73.4 million: Work with INDOT to develop a $1.1 billion bi-state package to construct the I-69 Ohio River Bridge between US60 and I-69 in Evansville

Cross posting the I-69 portion from the Kentucky general thread. 

[rte66man]

The latest 2020 Recommended Highway Plan at https://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2020-Recommended-Highway-Plan.aspx with highlights below:

Interstates and Parkways


I-69

• 1-25.00 | D/R/U: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway at the Kentucky and Tennessee state line to US 51
• 1-26.00 | C | FY 2025 | $18 million: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway between US 51 and Cardinal Road near Mayfield, including the KY 339 interchange in Wingo
• 2-1088.20 | C | FY 2022-25 | $267 million: Construct the portion of I-69 Ohio River Bridge project from KY 425/Henderson Bypass to US 60
• 2-1088.50 | C | FY 2025 | $73.4 million: Work with INDOT to develop a $1.1 billion bi-state package to construct the I-69 Ohio River Bridge between US60 and I-69 in Evansville

Cross posting the I-69 portion from the Kentucky general thread. 

Am I reading it right as it seems to say KY hasn't begun design of the stretch around Fulton? It also doesn't have a date nor any funding.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Since the Wingo interchange and I-69 south of Mayfield is not getting any work done until next year, I thought I would update this thread with the work that is being done as part of the Bridge project, since it is work being done on I-69 in Kentucky.

Ground has ben broken on the I-69 upgrades to route the freeway toward the bridge (Section 1 of the project.)



North of US 60 will be the bridge approach and bridge.

[abqtraveler]

The latest 2020 Recommended Highway Plan at https://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2020-Recommended-Highway-Plan.aspx with highlights below:

Interstates and Parkways


I-69

• 1-25.00 | D/R/U: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway at the Kentucky and Tennessee state line to US 51
• 1-26.00 | C | FY 2025 | $18 million: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway between US 51 and Cardinal Road near Mayfield, including the KY 339 interchange in Wingo
• 2-1088.20 | C | FY 2022-25 | $267 million: Construct the portion of I-69 Ohio River Bridge project from KY 425/Henderson Bypass to US 60
• 2-1088.50 | C | FY 2025 | $73.4 million: Work with INDOT to develop a $1.1 billion bi-state package to construct the I-69 Ohio River Bridge between US60 and I-69 in Evansville

Cross posting the I-69 portion from the Kentucky general thread. 

Am I reading it right as it seems to say KY hasn't begun design of the stretch around Fulton? It also doesn't have a date nor any funding.

Kentucky has to wait on Tennessee to start work on the South Fulton interchange before they can move forward on the Wingo to Fulton section, since these projects are inherently linked to each other. My understanding is that TDOT has to finish up the EIS for the South Fulton interchange and get a ROD from the FHWA before they can move to final design and construction. Right now TDOT is focused on completing the bypass around Union City. They may ramp up work on the South Fulton interchange after they get the Union City Bypass finished. But I wouldn't expect any major work on the South Fulton interchange to occur before the end of this decade.

[silverback1065]

is this all that's left for 69 in kentucky besides the ohio river bridge? also are there any coming projects for 69 in tn besides the union city bypass?

[GreenLanternCorps]

The latest 2020 Recommended Highway Plan at https://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2020-Recommended-Highway-Plan.aspx with highlights below:

Interstates and Parkways


I-69

• 1-25.00 | D/R/U: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway at the Kentucky and Tennessee state line to US 51
• 1-26.00 | C | FY 2025 | $18 million: Improve the I-69/Purchase Parkway between US 51 and Cardinal Road near Mayfield, including the KY 339 interchange in Wingo
• 2-1088.20 | C | FY 2022-25 | $267 million: Construct the portion of I-69 Ohio River Bridge project from KY 425/Henderson Bypass to US 60
• 2-1088.50 | C | FY 2025 | $73.4 million: Work with INDOT to develop a $1.1 billion bi-state package to construct the I-69 Ohio River Bridge between US60 and I-69 in Evansville

Cross posting the I-69 portion from the Kentucky general thread. 

Am I reading it right as it seems to say KY hasn't begun design of the stretch around Fulton? It also doesn't have a date nor any funding.

Kentucky has to wait on Tennessee to start work on the South Fulton interchange before they can move forward on the Wingo to Fulton section, since these projects are inherently linked to each other. My understanding is that TDOT has to finish up the EIS for the South Fulton interchange and get a ROD from the FHWA before they can move to final design and construction. Right now TDOT is focused on completing the bypass around Union City. They may ramp up work on the South Fulton interchange after they get the Union City Bypass finished. But I wouldn't expect any major work on the South Fulton interchange to occur before the end of this decade.

I know the Fulton part will be awhile, But I hope Kentucky can get rid of the bowtie at Wingo and extend the designation as far South as possible while waiting on Tennessee.

[GreenLanternCorps]

is this all that's left for 69 in kentucky besides the ohio river bridge? also are there any coming projects for 69 in tn besides the union city bypass?

To get I-69 complete from I-155 to Canada the following needs to be done:

Build/upgrade Indiana State Road  37 to I-69 from I-465 South to to Indiana State Road 144 (Under construction)

Build/upgrade I-69 (Including bridge) from I-69 current terminus in Indiana to Kentucky State Route 425 (Ground broken on Section 1, Section 2 (bridge) to follow)

Upgrade Future I-69 to Interstate Standards from a point just south of Mayfield, Kentucky to the Interchange with Tennessee 214 (Planned)

Build I-69 Union City Bypass from US 45W/51 to US 51 (Under construction)

Buld I-69 Troy Bypass (ROW acquisition and planning)

[The Ghostbuster]

Once the Interstate 69 link to Canada is complete, let's see if we can get a continuous 69 all the way to Mexico as well.

[WKDAVE]

Once the Interstate 69 link to Canada is complete, let's see if we can get a continuous 69 all the way to Mexico as well.

I don't see that happening for 50 years! I'm not sure I-69 will ever get to Memphis in next 30 years.