I decided to make a general topic about any road in Kentucky that you think should be improved or widened.
I would like to start this off with the AA highway and its spurs probably needing widening in the future. There are already proposals for parts of it. http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/KY%209%20-AA%20Highway-%20Widening%20Study%20-%20complete.pdf
There is also the Mountain parkway widening project.
Another one would be multiple Interstate highways in KY that need 6 laning such as I-71 inside the I-265 loop. As well as I-265 itself.
Possibly the Cylde T Barbour parkway.
Also KY 627 between US 25 and Winchester
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on May 12, 2015, 05:53:43 PM
I decided to make a general topic about any road in Kentucky that you think should be improved or widened.
I would like to start this off with the AA highway and its spurs probably needing widening in the future. There are already proposals for parts of it. http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/KY%209%20-AA%20Highway-%20Widening%20Study%20-%20complete.pdf
There is also the Mountain parkway widening project.
Another one would be multiple Interstate highways in KY that need 6 laning such as I-71 inside the I-265 loop. As well as I-265 itself.
Possibly the Cylde T Barbour parkway.
Also KY 627 between US 25 and Winchester
I don't think the Mountain Parkway needs the widening that it's getting. The road is fine for the amount and type of traffic it carries. Some spot improvements, adding a few passing lanes and straightening some curves would be fine.
Not all the AA needs widening, either. There are sections along the route with fairly light traffic counts.
Also KY 627. It's perfectly fine.
What does need to be finished is the London-to-Ashland corridor. KY 30 from Tyner to Levi, KY 11 from Levi to Beattyville, KY 715 from Zachariah to Pine Ridge, and KY 7 from north of West Liberty to Sandy Hook and a short section near Grayson Lake. Part of KY 7 in Elliott County is now under construction.
These are more like extensions than widenings and improvements, but I would say extending the Bluegrass Parkway east to I-64 and extending the Cumberland Parkway east to KY 80 would be worthwhile projects. I would say I-65 between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown, but that is well underway.
Is traffic really bad enough on I-265 right now to justify widening it? Maybe it would get heavier once the East End bridge is finished.
U.S. 41 through Henderson.
Yes, I understand if and when the 69 bridge is built, it will alleviate some of this, but there are several things that should be done regardless.
1. Eliminate left turns at Wolf Hills Road, Ellis Park and Waterworks Road. There are numerous accidents and all are pretty much not needed. Traffic on Wolf Hills can use Watson, Marywood or U.S. 60, Southbound to Ellis can easily be handled by exiting right and going under the bridges. Same for southbound traffic leaving the track. There is nothing on Waterworks that can't be reasonably reached by using Veterans Parkway.
2. Elevate it over Watson and Marywood and create a type of urban freeway, similar to U.S.231-431 in Huntsville. It will be tight, but it should be able to be achieved without too much property acquisition.
Doing both of these could buy this route several years as a "Temp 69" until the bridge funding can be worked out.
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 15, 2015, 07:32:43 AM
These are more like extensions than widenings and improvements, but I would say extending the Bluegrass Parkway east to I-64 and extending the Cumberland Parkway east to KY 80 would be worthwhile projects. I would say I-65 between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown, but that is well underway.
Is traffic really bad enough on I-265 right now to justify widening it? Maybe it would get heavier once the East End bridge is finished.
The area between I-65 and Bardstown Road (US 31E) seems to have a high number of collisions. The interchange with I-64 could stand some improvement as well, as it backs traffic up nearly 2 miles every day during the mornings and evenings.
Quote from: Captain Jack on May 15, 2015, 06:31:07 PM
U.S. 41 through Henderson.
Yes, I understand if and when the 69 bridge is built, it will alleviate some of this, but there are several things that should be done regardless.
1. Eliminate left turns at Wolf Hills Road, Ellis Park and Waterworks Road. There are numerous accidents and all are pretty much not needed. Traffic on Wolf Hills can use Watson, Marywood or U.S. 60, Southbound to Ellis can easily be handled by exiting right and going under the bridges. Same for southbound traffic leaving the track. There is nothing on Waterworks that can't be reasonably reached by using Veterans Parkway.
2. Elevate it over Watson and Marywood and create a type of urban freeway, similar to U.S.231-431 in Huntsville. It will be tight, but it should be able to be achieved without too much property acquisition.
Doing both of these could buy this route several years as a "Temp 69" until the bridge funding can be worked out.
I love the idea of the elevated US 41, even after I-69 is built through there it would serve as a great short bypass of probably the busiest part of US 41 in Henderson
Quote from: tidecat on May 15, 2015, 07:09:23 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 15, 2015, 07:32:43 AM
These are more like extensions than widenings and improvements, but I would say extending the Bluegrass Parkway east to I-64 and extending the Cumberland Parkway east to KY 80 would be worthwhile projects. I would say I-65 between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown, but that is well underway.
Is traffic really bad enough on I-265 right now to justify widening it? Maybe it would get heavier once the East End bridge is finished.
The area between I-65 and Bardstown Road (US 31E) seems to have a high number of collisions. The interchange with I-64 could stand some improvement as well, as it backs traffic up nearly 2 miles every day during the mornings and evenings.
They're currently reconfiguring Spaghetti Junction (65 & 64) while also doubling I-65's bridge capacity over the Ohio.
Quote from: tidecat on May 15, 2015, 07:09:23 PMThe interchange with I-64 could stand some improvement as well, as it backs traffic up nearly 2 miles every day during the mornings and evenings.
My understanding is that a project to eliminate the cloverleaf there is on the drawing board.
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 15, 2015, 07:32:43 AM
These are more like extensions than widenings and improvements, but I would say extending the Bluegrass Parkway east to I-64
Needed, but will never be done. The NIMBYs in Woodford County won't allow it.
Quoteand extending the Cumberland Parkway east to KY 80 would be worthwhile projects.
This one's supposed to happen, but I don't know the timetable on it.
The problem I see with 6-laning I-71 inside I-265 is, it ends 9 miles later at the "Spaghetti Junction" I-64/65/71 interchange. Right now, the two main lanes of 71 default to I-65, one ramp for each direction with a ramp for I-64 West. Now, with that being re-done, it may be possible to expand I-71.
I-265, I absolutely would expand it.
As for what else needs work? Besides the Brent Spence Bridge (painfully obvious), I would say safety improvements to the AA.
Also, KY 20 near its eastern intersection with KY 8 in Boone County. That road is frequently closed due to landslides, so some drainage work would be a major benefit. It is the main access from the airport to Anderson Ferry, which at rush hour can be a faster route between the airport and the west side of Cincinnati than going I-275 to I-75 to US 50.
Quote from: JMoses24 on May 18, 2015, 02:33:00 AMI would say safety improvements to the AA.
Like what, and where? They've done all sorts of safety improvements over the years, from oversized signage at intersections to traffic lights not supported by engineering studies. You can't prevent stupid drivers.
Quote from: JMoses24 on May 18, 2015, 02:33:00 AM
Also, KY 20 near its eastern intersection with KY 8 in Boone County. That road is frequently closed due to landslides, so some drainage work would be a major benefit. It is the main access from the airport to Anderson Ferry, which at rush hour can be a faster route between the airport and the west side of Cincinnati than going I-275 to I-75 to US 50.
That's a remarkably steep distance KY 20 climbs there --- I agree, area definitely needs some drainage work.
Point Pleasant Road also climbs the hill (eventually to Minola Pike), starting very near the Anderson Ferry access point. Doesn't seem like too many people know about that, but fortunately it exists, another way for West Siders to get to the Airport.
Kentucky roads --- on the whole --- I find to be pretty good. But a couple I've encountered recently:
(1) US-460 between Mt. Sterling and Paris: simply awful, incredibly narrow. Doesn't need to be 4 lanes, but needs a significant upgrade. This portion of road is part of the US-27 "corridor" from Cincinnati to the Bluegrass/I-64/Red River Gorge area, as that "corridor" is.
(2) I was down there just last weekend: KY-90/US-25W intersection down SW of Corbin is very poorly constructed, I don't get it. Seems like accidents from KY-90 East to US-25W North would happen all the time. And there's quite a bit of that traffic, coming from the Cumberland Falls park.
Quote from: keithvh on May 22, 2015, 09:20:28 PM
(2) I was down there just last weekend: KY-90/US-25W intersection down SW of Corbin is very poorly constructed, I don't get it. Seems like accidents from KY-90 East to US-25W North would happen all the time. And there's quite a bit of that traffic, coming from the Cumberland Falls park.
That's still a classic "Y" intersection, isn't it?
Quote from: hbelkins on May 23, 2015, 04:17:19 PM
Quote from: keithvh on May 22, 2015, 09:20:28 PM
(2) I was down there just last weekend: KY-90/US-25W intersection down SW of Corbin is very poorly constructed, I don't get it. Seems like accidents from KY-90 East to US-25W North would happen all the time. And there's quite a bit of that traffic, coming from the Cumberland Falls park.
That's still a classic "Y" intersection, isn't it?
Yep, it's definitely a "classic Y intersection" --- very shallow angle at the stop sign from KY-90 East to US-25W North, so you have to really crane the neck back (all the while noting any oncoming traffic too). I get the "idea" behind the Y, but there's little development there, seems a "T" is just easier.
Sidenote --- I've been all-around the Commonwealth (117 of the 120 counties), but last weekend was my first time to actually see Cumberland Falls: it is pretty cool!! I'm glad I made the visit.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 15, 2015, 10:10:13 PM
My understanding is that a project to eliminate the cloverleaf there is on the drawing board.
Bumping this ---- you were talking about potentially improving the I-265/I-64 interchange ..... but are there any possibilities for improvements of the I-265/I-71 interchange? That one is also a mess with the cloverleaf! I did the Cincinnati to Louisville drive this afternoon and re-remembered how bad that one is.
On the topic of the original question...
How about I-75 between Berea and London? Are there any plans to complete the widening in that section? There are two 4 lane sections in that stretch that have 6 lane sections on either side of them, so I'm assuming the idea is to eventually fill in those gaps.
As for the remaining 4 lane section from south of London to the TN state line, are there any plans for widening that as well? I suppose going all the way to the state line itself wouldn't really be worth it unless Tennessee actually had plans to widen their part (very unlikely)....but how about going as far south as Corbin or Williamsburg? Exit 11 seems like a good target to shoot for IMO.
Quote from: keithvh on January 29, 2016, 10:46:05 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 15, 2015, 10:10:13 PM
My understanding is that a project to eliminate the cloverleaf there is on the drawing board.
Bumping this ---- you were talking about potentially improving the I-265/I-64 interchange ..... but are there any possibilities for improvements of the I-265/I-71 interchange? That one is also a mess with the cloverleaf! I did the Cincinnati to Louisville drive this afternoon and re-remembered how bad that one is.
I actually think that project was supposed to go to bid this month.
Quote from: Buck87 on January 30, 2016, 11:13:44 PM
On the topic of the original question...
How about I-75 between Berea and London? Are there any plans to complete the widening in that section? There are two 4 lane sections in that stretch that have 6 lane sections on either side of them, so I'm assuming the idea is to eventually fill in those gaps.
Included in the governor's road plan submitted to the legislature this week.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 30, 2016, 11:20:42 PM
Quote from: keithvh on January 29, 2016, 10:46:05 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 15, 2015, 10:10:13 PM
My understanding is that a project to eliminate the cloverleaf there is on the drawing board.
Bumping this ---- you were talking about potentially improving the I-265/I-64 interchange ..... but are there any possibilities for improvements of the I-265/I-71 interchange? That one is also a mess with the cloverleaf! I did the Cincinnati to Louisville drive this afternoon and re-remembered how bad that one is.
I actually think that project was supposed to go to bid this month.
Quote from: Buck87 on January 30, 2016, 11:13:44 PM
On the topic of the original question...
How about I-75 between Berea and London? Are there any plans to complete the widening in that section? There are two 4 lane sections in that stretch that have 6 lane sections on either side of them, so I'm assuming the idea is to eventually fill in those gaps.
Included in the governor's road plan submitted to the legislature this week.
When driving I-65 to Nashville and elsewhere, I notice that the Natcher Parkway and I-65 interchange utilizes a separated lane for cars wanting to get on the Natcher Parkway and for those merging onto I-65. Could this work with the I-71/I-265 interchange with the separated lane on I-71 by squeezing the 4 travel lanes to the center or is there not enough space?
Here's pictures of the Natcher interchange:
http://imgur.com/Jxo3yrs
http://imgur.com/yd5klOD
As for widening in the Louisville area, I would like to see 64 east widened to three lanes after the tunnel in (west would have to stay at 2 because the tunnel is protected to my knowledge); I-71 widened to six lanes from the Spaghetti Junction to at least exit 14, preferably exit 17 or 22 due to development in Oldham County.
Simple answer I-64 between I-71 and I-264 way long over do. At least widen it to the Grinstead exit that's the last exit before the tunnels that everyone thinks is historic.
Regarding I-75 widening, here are the "Value Engineering Study Reports" for the planned widening in Rockcastle County (MP 55.3 to 69.0)
55.3 to 60.1 & 60.1 to 64.5: http://transportation.ky.gov/Highway-Design/VE%20Study/VE201603.pdf
64.5 to 69.0: http://transportation.ky.gov/Highway-Design/VE%20Study/VE201602.pdf
In one of these, it mentions the projects are due to let on the following schedule:
64.5 to 69.0 - Fall of 2016
55.3 to 60.1 - Spring of 2017
60.1 to 64.5 - Spring of 2018
...though I can't find whether or not the one set for 2016 actually happened
Quote from: hbelkins on May 15, 2015, 10:10:13 PM
Quoteand extending the Cumberland Parkway east to KY 80 would be worthwhile projects.
This one's supposed to happen, but I don't know the timetable on it.
A guy on Wikipedia jumped the gun by saying, the Cumberland extension is completed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Parkway#Eastern_extension
Quote from: Buck87 on February 14, 2017, 10:38:15 AM
Regarding I-75 widening, here are the "Value Engineering Study Reports" for the planned widening in Rockcastle County (MP 55.3 to 69.0)
55.3 to 60.1 & 60.1 to 64.5: http://transportation.ky.gov/Highway-Design/VE%20Study/VE201603.pdf
64.5 to 69.0: http://transportation.ky.gov/Highway-Design/VE%20Study/VE201602.pdf
In one of these, it mentions the projects are due to let on the following schedule:
64.5 to 69.0 - Fall of 2016
55.3 to 60.1 - Spring of 2017
60.1 to 64.5 - Spring of 2018
...though I can't find whether or not the one set for 2016 actually happened
Street View from December 2016 seems to show that major construction has not started.
Just drove through there on 75 south. While no work has started yet, they do have "road work ahead" signs posted leading up to mp 69, where there is a sign saying road work next 5 miles. Then at mp 64 there are end road work signs.
There was also tree clearing going on at exit 62.
VS986
I was through there again on Nov. 19 and the construction was in full swing on the MM 69 to 64.5 portion, with the southbound lanes being divided into two separate lanes for most of the work zone. It was dark, so I couldn't really make out what kind of progress was being made, though one thing I did notice was a lot of heavy earthwork being done along the west side of the road near the south end of the work zone just north of exit 62.
Anyone know if the letting for the MM 55.3 to 60.1 section actually happened this year as it was scheduled to in one of the links I posted upthread?
Things are progressing nicely. As of today, most of the MM 69 to 64.5 section looks like the first pic, and most of the MM 64.5 to 60.1 section looks like the 2nd pic
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180407/6e1446ef8468aaac0b85a7a43087ee13.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180407/d7ecaa1320e18ee9f35e0a518df02b9a.jpg)
VS988
As of Friday (southbound):
69 to 64.5 - it's done with 3 lanes open until construction zone begins
64.5 to 60.1 - 2 lanes split configuration, rockwork being done on west side, one lane of pavement done.
60.1 to 55.3 - 2 lanes together on outer edges new pavement, center concrete barrier partially complete as more was being formed into place
VS988
Long term plans for I-75 say 6 lanes from Cincy to Tennessee.
I-71 should be getting 5 miles of 6 lane from the Snyder to Crestwood. Heard going to bid in 19.
I-265 aka the Snyder is up for 6 lanes from I-71 to Taylorsville road. This is a HOT project with Ford's big Kentucky Truck Plant in that area. Kentucky Truck employs 10k with 80k average salaries. Look for bids in 19.
Quote from: ShawnP on December 27, 2018, 10:09:12 AM
Long term plans for I-75 say 6 lanes from Cincy to Tennessee.
I-71 should be getting 5 miles of 6 lane from the Snyder to Crestwood. Heard going to bid in 19.
I-265 aka the Snyder is up for 6 lanes from I-71 to Taylorsville road. This is a HOT project with Ford's big Kentucky Truck Plant in that area. Kentucky Truck employs 10k with 80k average salaries. Look for bids in 19.
If they don't rebuilt the cloverleaf at I-64, it's wasted money.
Saw projects on the STIP for upgrades on the I-265/I-64 interchange.
It's a dangerous one.
New Circle could use a widening
Quote from: madbengalsfan85 on December 29, 2018, 02:16:59 AM
New Circle could use a widening
Speaking of New Circle, anybody have anything to report on the NW quadrant that's being widened now?
I-64 between downtown and I-264 hands down.
Quote from: dvferyance on January 02, 2019, 10:23:23 PM
I-64 between downtown and I-264 hands down.
The tunnel would make that difficult.
Quote from: codyg1985 on January 03, 2019, 12:00:27 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 02, 2019, 10:23:23 PM
I-64 between downtown and I-264 hands down.
The tunnel would make that difficult.
Yes, the best option would be improvements to I-71 inside the Watterson.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 03, 2019, 02:36:47 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on January 03, 2019, 12:00:27 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 02, 2019, 10:23:23 PM
I-64 between downtown and I-264 hands down.
The tunnel would make that difficult.
Yes, the best option would be improvements to I-71 inside the Watterson.
Indeed, there is only one measly little exit for Zorn Ave on 71 b/w Spaghetti Jct and Watterson. Would be a relatively easy widening project as widening projects go.
Might also be a good idea to add a flyover for traffic going from Watterson westbound to 64 eastbound. I could see this being a bottleneck if enough traffic takes 71 as a 64 alternative in the future, and ensure 64 is close to 10 lanes from Watterson to probably Blankenbaker, then of course 6 lanes to Lexington.
Quote from: ShawnP on December 28, 2018, 02:55:26 PM
Saw projects on the STIP for upgrades on the I-265/I-64 interchange.
It's a dangerous one.
KYTC released alternates yesterday of this one. I personally prefer 1A. Both alternate 3's still have one weaving section.
https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/Pages/Interstate-64-at-Interstate-265-Interchange-Reconstruction.aspx
What are the heaviest movements? I'm surprised all of the loop ramps aren't being removed in any of the alternates.
Quote from: codyg1985 on January 05, 2019, 03:53:31 PM
What are the heaviest movements? I'm surprised all of the loop ramps aren't being removed in any of the alternates.
AM: North to West, South to West
PM: East to North, East to South
Overall heaviest is east to north, in my opinion.
Quote from: CardInLex on January 05, 2019, 04:45:33 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on January 05, 2019, 03:53:31 PM
What are the heaviest movements? I'm surprised all of the loop ramps aren't being removed in any of the alternates.
AM: North to West, South to West
PM: East to North, East to South
Overall heaviest is east to north, in my opinion.
East to north in the AM is a cluster foxtrot, based on my experience with it several years ago.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 05, 2019, 08:14:24 PM
Quote from: CardInLex on January 05, 2019, 04:45:33 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on January 05, 2019, 03:53:31 PM
What are the heaviest movements? I'm surprised all of the loop ramps aren't being removed in any of the alternates.
AM: North to West, South to West
PM: East to North, East to South
Overall heaviest is east to north, in my opinion.
East to north in the AM is a cluster foxtrot, based on my experience with it several years ago.
It may be hard to imagine but the PM rush is even worse. With the loop ramp traffic backing up to at least Blankenbaker (KY 913).
Quote from: CardInLex on January 05, 2019, 01:10:20 PM
Quote from: ShawnP on December 28, 2018, 02:55:26 PM
Saw projects on the STIP for upgrades on the I-265/I-64 interchange.
It's a dangerous one.
KYTC released alternates yesterday of this one. I personally prefer 1A. Both alternate 3's still have one weaving section.
https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/Pages/Interstate-64-at-Interstate-265-Interchange-Reconstruction.aspx
I like both 1 and 1A, with 1A being the slight favorite. I agree with you regarding the alternate 3's. Those directional ramps for the Alternative 1's are kind of unique looking.
Quote from: mvak36 on January 05, 2019, 10:12:08 PM
Quote from: CardInLex on January 05, 2019, 01:10:20 PM
Quote from: ShawnP on December 28, 2018, 02:55:26 PM
Saw projects on the STIP for upgrades on the I-265/I-64 interchange.
It's a dangerous one.
KYTC released alternates yesterday of this one. I personally prefer 1A. Both alternate 3's still have one weaving section.
https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/Pages/Interstate-64-at-Interstate-265-Interchange-Reconstruction.aspx
I like both 1 and 1A, with 1A being the slight favorite. I agree with you regarding the alternate 3's. Those directional ramps for the Alternative 1's are kind of unique looking.
A similar flyover ramp was done by KYTC on New Circle (KY 4) at Versailles Road (US 60) in Lexington two years ago.
US 25 from Lexington to Ironworks Pike needs widening bad.
Seams to be so many wrecks in the Lexington/Richmond area and not any good alternatives if 64/75 have to be closed.
I am originally from Indiana and there was always good alternatives if any interstate was closed.
SM-G950U
I was trying to find info on whether ot not the I-75 MP 69-55 widening is completed yet, and was pleasantly surprised to find out about 2 new widening projects further south that have already started.
MP 33-29 started in the spring, and will extend the 6 laning the farthest south thus far on I-75 in KY, to the northern Corbin exit
https://www.wtvq.com/2019/04/16/75-widening-project-laurel-co-begin-april-22/
MP 49-40 just started in November, and will fill the last gap that exists between two 6 lane segments
https://www.lex18.com/traffic/i-75-widening-project-in-laurel-county-begins-nov-4
Oh my this thread is a great idea! Where do I even start... how about we widen...
All of them. :nod:
There is a proposal to widen the I-75/I-64 concurrency from 6 to 8 lanes:
https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Widening-project-planned-for-I-75-and-I-64-split--564077851.html
I can't get a current image on Google so I'm wondering if the US68/KY80 Land Between the Lakes bridges are being replaced with 4 lanes or just wider 2 lane bridges?
Quote from: rte66man on January 04, 2020, 05:03:55 PM
I can't get a current image on Google so I'm wondering if the US 68/KY 80 Land Between the Lakes bridges are being replaced with 4 lanes or just wider 2 lane bridges?
FIFY.
And yes, the new bridges are four lanes with a shared use bike-hiking lane. The Kentucky Lake bridge has been open for a few years, and I think the Lake Barkley bridge is done now.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 13, 2015, 12:31:19 AMWhat does need to be finished is the London-to-Ashland corridor. KY 30 from Tyner to Levi, KY 11 from Levi to Beattyville, KY 715 from Zachariah to Pine Ridge, and KY 7 from north of West Liberty to Sandy Hook and a short section near Grayson Lake. Part of KY 7 in Elliott County is now under construction.
Major gravedig and arguably off topic, but I feel like writing about what I've found messing around with Google Maps in eastern Kentucky.
I Googled London to Ashland, and this route came up as the second choice behind I-75, KY 627, and I-64. It's currently 28 minutes longer but 13 miles shorter. Not bad. The average speed is over 50mph compared to 62 on the Interstates+ route, which also really isn't bad. When the improvements that HB mentioned are done, the route might be of equal merit to the 75-627-64 route, despite that probably not being an explicit goal of the project.
Oh: According to Google, new KY 30 from near KY 847 to KY 11 at Levi is open. That's 5.4 miles.
I also checked Lexington to Wytheville, VA. The Interstates are the quickest way, but the second choice is KY 15 through Hazard, then US 23 and US 58 Alt. to I-81. the KY 15 route is about 20minutes longer, but 20 miles shorter, and of course avoids the tolls on the WV Turnpike. KY 15 looks squiggly on the map, but a lot of it has been improved over the years. The average speed on KY 15 from Jackson to Pound Gap is 49mph, compared to 55mph on the whole route, including 110 miles on Interstates and Mountain Parkway.
So, freeways, expressways and APD-type highways aren't everything. Not everything worth building looks good on a map.
I-64 in Louisville every one argues it can't be done because of the tunnels. Well widen everything but the tunnels no reason why they can't do that. Kentucky is the state notoriously known for widening rural freeways while ignoring urban ones.
Quote from: Tom958 on January 06, 2020, 02:58:21 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 13, 2015, 12:31:19 AMWhat does need to be finished is the London-to-Ashland corridor. KY 30 from Tyner to Levi, KY 11 from Levi to Beattyville, KY 715 from Zachariah to Pine Ridge, and KY 7 from north of West Liberty to Sandy Hook and a short section near Grayson Lake. Part of KY 7 in Elliott County is now under construction.
Major gravedig and arguably off topic, but I feel like writing about what I've found messing around with Google Maps in eastern Kentucky.
I Googled London to Ashland, and this route came up as the second choice behind I-75, KY 627, and I-64. It's currently 28 minutes longer but 13 miles shorter. Not bad. The average speed is over 50mph compared to 62 on the Interstates+ route, which also really isn't bad. When the improvements that HB mentioned are done, the route might be of equal merit to the 75-627-64 route, despite that probably not being an explicit goal of the project.
Oh: According to Google, new KY 30 from near KY 847 to KY 11 at Levi is open. That's 5.4 miles.
I also checked Lexington to Wytheville, VA. The Interstates are the quickest way, but the second choice is KY 15 through Hazard, then US 23 and US 58 Alt. to I-81. the KY 15 route is about 20minutes longer, but 20 miles shorter, and of course avoids the tolls on the WV Turnpike. KY 15 looks squiggly on the map, but a lot of it has been improved over the years. The average speed on KY 15 from Jackson to Pound Gap is 49mph, compared to 55mph on the whole route, including 110 miles on Interstates and Mountain Parkway.
So, freeways, expressways and APD-type highways aren't everything. Not everything worth building looks good on a map.
Five miles of KY 30 from KY 847 at Travellers Rest to KY 11 at Levi opened a couple of years ago. The segment from KY 847 southwest to US 421 is now under construction.
Traffic moves well on KY 15 at 55 mph or more from Campton to Whitesburg, with the exception of Jackson and Hazard. Part of the delays you may have seen on KY 15 relate to four-laning north of Hazard, where construction causes frequent tie-ups. That will be done in a couple of years. There's also a widening project under consideration to make some improvements to US 119 between Whitesburg and US 23.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 07, 2020, 11:37:05 AMFive miles of KY 30 from KY 847 at Travellers Rest to KY 11 at Levi opened a couple of years ago. The segment from KY 847 southwest to US 421 is now under construction.
Nice! Looks like it'll be about ten miles long and cut two or three miles and nine minutes or so from the route. Maybe I can check it out as a side trip on the way to Lexington in a few years.
(https://www.wtvq.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/KY-30-Road-Map-768x512.jpg)
QuoteTraffic moves well on KY 15 at 55 mph or more from Campton to Whitesburg, with the exception of Jackson and Hazard. Part of the delays you may have seen on KY 15 relate to four-laning north of Hazard, where construction causes frequent tie-ups. That will be done in a couple of years. There's also a widening project under consideration to make some improvements to US 119 between Whitesburg and US 23.
Small steps add up!
Quote from: hbelkins on January 07, 2020, 11:37:05 AM
Quote from: Tom958 on January 06, 2020, 02:58:21 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 13, 2015, 12:31:19 AMWhat does need to be finished is the London-to-Ashland corridor. KY 30 from Tyner to Levi, KY 11 from Levi to Beattyville, KY 715 from Zachariah to Pine Ridge, and KY 7 from north of West Liberty to Sandy Hook and a short section near Grayson Lake. Part of KY 7 in Elliott County is now under construction.
Major gravedig and arguably off topic, but I feel like writing about what I've found messing around with Google Maps in eastern Kentucky.
I Googled London to Ashland, and this route came up as the second choice behind I-75, KY 627, and I-64. It's currently 28 minutes longer but 13 miles shorter. Not bad. The average speed is over 50mph compared to 62 on the Interstates+ route, which also really isn't bad. When the improvements that HB mentioned are done, the route might be of equal merit to the 75-627-64 route, despite that probably not being an explicit goal of the project.
Oh: According to Google, new KY 30 from near KY 847 to KY 11 at Levi is open. That's 5.4 miles.
I also checked Lexington to Wytheville, VA. The Interstates are the quickest way, but the second choice is KY 15 through Hazard, then US 23 and US 58 Alt. to I-81. the KY 15 route is about 20minutes longer, but 20 miles shorter, and of course avoids the tolls on the WV Turnpike. KY 15 looks squiggly on the map, but a lot of it has been improved over the years. The average speed on KY 15 from Jackson to Pound Gap is 49mph, compared to 55mph on the whole route, including 110 miles on Interstates and Mountain Parkway.
So, freeways, expressways and APD-type highways aren't everything. Not everything worth building looks good on a map.
Five miles of KY 30 from KY 847 at Travellers Rest to KY 11 at Levi opened a couple of years ago. The segment from KY 847 southwest to US 421 is now under construction.
Traffic moves well on KY 15 at 55 mph or more from Campton to Whitesburg, with the exception of Jackson and Hazard. Part of the delays you may have seen on KY 15 relate to four-laning north of Hazard, where construction causes frequent tie-ups. That will be done in a couple of years. There's also a widening project under consideration to make some improvements to US 119 between Whitesburg and US 23.
I hate that traffic light at KY 15 and US 119 just outside of Whitesburg. Also, last time I was there, old KY 15 signs were up
everywhere through town. Not Business 15 signs, but actual old KY 15 shields.
I-75 widening update:
MM 69-60 is done
60-55 is still a construction zone, with some bridge work going on, some short sections of median concrete barrier left to be built, and possibly a final coat of asphalt. It has about a 3 mile section where the northbound lanes are in a split 1+1 configuration while the southbound lanes are 2 together.
49-40 has a little progress toward the south end and some bridge work started, but for most of the constuction zone traffic is using the existing lanes as is, just with Jersey barriers along the inside lanes.
33-29 is coming along nicely, with the parts with a wide median looking like the pic below, and the regular width sections also have a good bit of paving done across the whole median. Traffic is still more or less on the original lanes here as well.
One thing a little different about this section is that all the lane marking are done in orange paint. I dont recall seeing that before in a construction zone.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200108/701f2e35fd8a50b6a3915b939207c435.jpg)
VS988
Quote from: hbelkins on January 04, 2020, 05:39:02 PM
Quote from: rte66man on January 04, 2020, 05:03:55 PM
I can't get a current image on Google so I'm wondering if the US 68/KY 80 Land Between the Lakes bridges are being replaced with 4 lanes or just wider 2 lane bridges?
Fixed original. Thx
FIFY.
And yes, the new bridges are four lanes with a shared use bike-hiking lane. The Kentucky Lake bridge has been open for a few years, and I think the Lake Barkley bridge is done now.
Quote from: Buck87 on January 08, 2020, 06:15:03 PM
One thing a little different about this section is that all the lane marking are done in orange paint. I dont recall seeing that before in a construction zone.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200108/701f2e35fd8a50b6a3915b939207c435.jpg)
VS988
I thought I had posted a link to the press release about that.
man, that orange paint looked weird at night this evening.
Is there anyway to fix I-264
Seams they put to many exits on 264
I remember one time it took me 45 Minutes to get from blankenbaker to the Airport at like 4 PM
SM-G950U
Quote from: ibthebigd on April 28, 2020, 08:31:59 PM
Is there anyway to fix I-264
Seams they put to many exits on 264
I remember one time it took me 45 Minutes to get from blankenbaker to the Airport at like 4 PM
SM-G950U
The Watterson Expressway portion of I-264 was originally built as a US 60 bypass of downtown. There were a number of locations where neighborhood streets ended with a forced right turn onto the Watterson. If you have an old Gousha Louisville map from the 1960s or early 1970s, you can see those connections. They were eliminated when there was major widening in the 1970s/1980s.
Reporting live from the TN welcome center with an update on KY I-75 widening:
60-55:
southern half completely done, northern half has the SB lanes in a split config. Looks to be pretty far along.
49-40:
4 lanes open close to original alignment, shifted slightly to outer shoulder. All but one mile of the median area is in some stage of paving with the remaining mile still having a little drainage work to finish up. Except for one 3-4 block section, no work started on median barrier.
33-29:
Northern half traffic is on new pavement in former median while old pavement is being torn out. Southern half traffic is on outward shifted original alignment while median paving and barrier work is pretty far along, and there's still a lot of work to do on the bridge in the middle of this section.
VS988
After decades of talk, real construction work commenced on the widening of US 641 between Murray and Hazel. Construction work is currently happening between Glendale Road in Murray and the bridge just south of Tabard Drive to widen the route to four lanes. Traffic in that area is being routed to a new pavement, while the old alignment is being replaced.
I-75 Widening UPDATE (from north to south):
60-55: Right lane was closed around the exit 59 interchange to do some sign installation, but everything south of that interchange was opened and three-laned (SB direction only)... looks pretty nice and almost done!
49-40: All lanes are still shifted to the right... Concrete wall installed and paved in the former median with a few gaps in between as well as both ends of the project- probably something to do with a new traffic pattern when KYTC reconstructs the original lanes and near the bridges that will be replaced... New bridge pier constructed in the median on both pf the US 25 bridges right next to the existing 1960's bridge, and it also looks a bit higher than the original bridge... Moving along slowly...
33-29: Except for the southern mile and a half section where the SB lanes split, everything else is pretty much focused on rebuilding the original SB lanes as well as part of the northbound lanes... The bridge over the Laurel River has all SB traffic onto the new bridge deck while they are redoing the original SB bridge... I was stuck in traffic for about a half-hour due to the right lane being blocked off on the southern part of the construction... Also, they are using orange paint through this construction zone (which I was surprised to see it from KYTC)...
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on May 15, 2015, 07:10:32 PM
Quote from: Captain Jack on May 15, 2015, 06:31:07 PM
U.S. 41 through Henderson.
Henderson needs US 41 as is. They have already committed to I-69 and there will no longer be a Breezewood in KY.
Former KY 8 west of Silver Grove is slowly slipping into the Ohio, but I suppose re-routing it onto US 27 and putting up some temporary barriers (unlit, already knocked down) counts as "fixing" it.
I was on I-75 through KY on Friday, update on the widening:
60-55:
All new lanes are now open
49-40:
Southbound traffic is in the split configuration on the new pavement of the future inside lanes as work is shifting to the original southbound lanes. Northbound traffic is on the old pavement.
33-29:
Similar to the 49-40 configuration, but a little further along. Half of this section has an extra wide median while the other half is a standard width median with the southbound lanes in a split configuration.
VS988
According to this everything from 49-29 opened a couple months ago:
https://www.wymt.com/2022/07/16/i-75-widening-project-laurel-county-comes-close/
I'll be driving that area again in another month and will look forward to seeing it all done.
When it comes to widening anything south of exit 29, this article states that it is "coming, but not soon":
https://www.thenewsjournal.net/i-75-widening-south-of-exit-29-is-coming-but-not-soon/
Kentucky Bend Road is a little narrow. Maybe widen it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.5244836,-89.4917656,3a,75y,183.6h,82.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snjFijkBcQp_VOG1dlmwXWw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.5244836,-89.4917656,3a,75y,183.6h,82.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snjFijkBcQp_VOG1dlmwXWw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Not a "road" but the US51 bridge from Wickliffe to Cairo is scary narrow. Lot of truck traffic moving goods across that bridge & over the Mississippi River (highway 62) bridge as well.
It will be replaced in the coming years: https://us51bridge.com/project-overview
Structurally, it's in good shape, but it suffers from its narrow lane widths, tight curves, poor sight distances, and a lack of shoulders. This was partly addressed some years back with the addition of a new crash barrier and a small shoulder on the Kentucky approach after many strikes. The bridge is also seismically sensitive and will most likely fail in a modest earthquake scenario.
i'd say they should finish US-60 widing between ledbetter and smithland.
theres been a stub at the end of the bridge crossing with the tennessee river for a long time now, and that stop sign in that area where the stub is just holds up traffic needlessly.
but on that note, the traffic signals were supposed to be temporarily till they get a second interchange built there, i wonder if thats still true, or is KTC basically leaving it there?
Ledbetter bypass alternatives:
Alt A-1: https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictOne/Documents/Alt%20A-1%20Display.pdf and https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictOne/Documents/Alt%20A-2%20Display.pdf
Alt B-C-1: https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictOne/Documents/Alt%20B-C-1.pdf and https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictOne/Documents/Alt%20B-C-2.pdf
My preference is for Alt A-1 which is for a partially controlled four and two-lane highway of Ledbetter terminating by the Ohio Valley Baptist Church on the curve. If it's like other KYTC projects as of late, any US 60 improvements towards Southland would generally be along the existing alignment and they would simply acquire properties along the road.