AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: codyg1985 on March 25, 2010, 01:37:01 PM

Title: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: codyg1985 on March 25, 2010, 01:37:01 PM
I drove through Bowling Green, KY yesterday and noticed that construction is underway at the I-65/Natcher Pkwy interchange. I looked up on the KTC website that this is for the extension of the Natcher Pkwy to US 231. Are there any additional planned improvements in the area that may be related to I-66?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on March 25, 2010, 03:43:57 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on March 25, 2010, 01:37:01 PM
I drove through Bowling Green, KY yesterday and noticed that construction is underway at the I-65/Natcher Pkwy interchange. I looked up on the KTC website that this is for the extension of the Natcher Pkwy to US 231. Are there any additional planned improvements in the area that may be related to I-66?

Actually, this isn't really related to I-66. It's meant to relieve traffic on Scottsville Road (US 231) in Bowling Green.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: mightyace on March 25, 2010, 04:31:49 PM
I took a look at it myself and it looks like a good idea.  I know from passing through that traffic on US 231 in/around the city can be rough (for that area anyway).

After the project is complete, will the southern part of the Natcher carry US 231 or US 231 Bypass?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on March 25, 2010, 09:53:25 PM
Quote from: mightyace on March 25, 2010, 04:31:49 PM
I took a look at it myself and it looks like a good idea.  I know from passing through that traffic on US 231 in/around the city can be rough (for that area anyway).

After the project is complete, will the southern part of the Natcher carry US 231 or US 231 Bypass?

Probably neither. Right now there is a business routing of US 231 in Bowling Green that skirts the southern edge of the Western Kentucky University campus. A stretch of Campbell Road that was numbered KY 880 got the US 231 designation several years ago, with the old routing getting business banners.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 26, 2010, 07:32:36 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 25, 2010, 09:53:25 PM
Quote from: mightyace on March 25, 2010, 04:31:49 PM
I took a look at it myself and it looks like a good idea.  I know from passing through that traffic on US 231 in/around the city can be rough (for that area anyway).

After the project is complete, will the southern part of the Natcher carry US 231 or US 231 Bypass?

Probably neither. Right now there is a business routing of US 231 in Bowling Green that skirts the southern edge of the Western Kentucky University campus. A stretch of Campbell Road that was numbered KY 880 got the US 231 designation several years ago, with the old routing getting business banners.

How about Truck US-231?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: Stephane Dumas on January 10, 2011, 01:51:58 PM
I dust-off the subject by mentionning a video of the Natcher Parkway I spotted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgN38OzEVgU  you can see some orange cones at 7:03 near I-65 in the clip.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on January 10, 2011, 02:14:31 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on March 26, 2010, 07:32:36 AM
How about Truck US-231?

It may get that as an auxiliary posting, but there is precedent for a parkway in Kentucky extending beyond an interstate to end at a US route. The Purchase Parkway extends north of I-24 to end at US 62 and the Western Kentucky Parkway extends east of I-65 to end at US 31W.

Truck traffic on US 231 probably already used I-65 south to the Natcher north, since there is really no reason for thru trucks to use US 231 north of Bowling Green.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on March 03, 2011, 05:05:55 AM
So HB, is there any ETA on when this extension will open?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on March 04, 2011, 07:39:08 PM
Late this year or early next year. A lot of the grade work was finished when I was there in the fall. Looks like the major work to be done is finishing the interchange with I-65, some of the grade and structure work at the SPUI, and paving. They're letting a paving contract this month and it contains options for both asphalt and concrete.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: Daniel Fiddler on March 17, 2011, 04:02:06 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on March 25, 2010, 01:37:01 PM
I drove through Bowling Green, KY yesterday and noticed that construction is underway at the I-65/Natcher Pkwy interchange. I looked up on the KTC website that this is for the extension of the Natcher Pkwy to US 231. Are there any additional planned improvements in the area that may be related to I-66?

I believe that I - 66 will follow the Louie B Nunn Pkwy to and beyond Somerset.  Assuming it's built.  I - 66 seems to be completely unfeasible and frivolous to me.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on March 18, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
I-66 would help southeast Kentucky as east-west links are limited and not the best.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: froggie on March 22, 2011, 01:25:24 PM
Moreso northwest-southeast links are limited.  For east-west, you have both a Daniel Boone Pkwy (I refuse to list its current name)/KY 80 corridor and a US 119 corridor that, except for KY 80 through London and a section of US 119 west of Baxter, are both decent.  Your "links are limited" comment makes a better argument for finishing US 460 into Virginia and widening KY 15 than it does for building I-66.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on March 22, 2011, 06:54:27 PM
My opinion is that Super 2's like the Daniel Boone are not quality roads that was my reasoning behind lack of quality roads.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: froggie on March 23, 2011, 07:10:36 AM
They're a hell of a lot better than standard 2-lane roads, and in my experience they're adequate for the traffic volumes encountered.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: NE2 on March 23, 2011, 07:53:42 AM
Isn't KY 15 also a high-quality two-lane (ARC corridor)?

[edit] Yes, it's Corridor I: http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/transp/adhs_status_report_2010/ADHS2010StatusReportKentucky.pdf
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on March 23, 2011, 10:00:17 AM
Maybe I'm a Interstate geek so I wouldn't mind I-66 thru southern Kentucky. But I can't see it with all the enviromental problems around London.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on March 23, 2011, 02:51:50 PM
Quote from: froggie on March 23, 2011, 07:10:36 AM
They're a hell of a lot better than standard 2-lane roads, and in my experience they're adequate for the traffic volumes encountered.

I live here, and I agree.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on April 08, 2011, 01:58:00 PM
I don't want well enough roads. I want roads that improve eastern Kentucky and bring more industries/tourism. Right now eastern Kentucky is Coal and Pot for it's main economic engines.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: froggie on April 08, 2011, 04:28:40 PM
Hate to break it to ya, but it requires more than just good roads to bring industries and tourism.  The former, by and large, is dying in this country because it's cheaper for industry to locate their factories elsewhere.  For tourism, you need places/entities, etc that people *WANT* to go to.  Now Cumberland Gap would qualify in that regard, but there's already a decent 4-lane road (from two directions!) that gets there.  Now replace "industries" with "economic development", and you're still needing another key ingredient:  an educated workforce.

If all it took was roads to improve things, then Meridian, MS should be an absolutely happening place.  Major interstate junction, major 4-lane north-south road, major rail junction, the Tenn-Tom Waterway only 30 miles away.  Yet it's barely scraping by...and a lot of that has to do with the presence of a naval air station.

Lastly, we don't even have enough transportation funding to maintain what we've already got, let alone building new roads.  Makes no sense to build a shiny brand-new road when there's broken, pothole-ridden pavement and failing bridges all over.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on April 08, 2011, 10:26:54 PM
Quote from: froggie on April 08, 2011, 04:28:40 PM
Makes no sense to build a shiny brand-new road when there's broken, pothole-ridden pavement and failing bridges all over.

I see you have visited Tennessee lately.


Shawn - use proper quote tags.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: froggie on April 10, 2011, 08:54:15 AM
Not for 3 years.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: VFRinTN on July 11, 2011, 10:33:35 PM
Hello all...  I ran across this forum while researching the I-65/William H. Natcher interchange construction and thought I'd share an image I took back in late May when a friend and I flew into Bowling Green from Springfield, TN (I assume it's ok to post small images within these posts and not just in the photo area...?):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm7.static.flickr.com%2F6004%2F5927846183_d517990c38_z.jpg&hash=b2779532b650e948bfbda83a1e41c36dafafb673)

A larger version may be found here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfr_photography/5927846183/sizes/o/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfr_photography/5927846183/sizes/o/in/photostream/).  I'll forewarn you, though, that the clarity/focus leaves a lot to be desired since it was a very hot, muggy, and bumpy day to be up flying and the haze only added insult to injury.  If it helps satisfy any curiosity, though, then I'm happy to share. 
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on July 11, 2011, 11:19:08 PM
Quote from: VFRinTN on July 11, 2011, 10:33:35 PM
(I assume it's ok to post small images within these posts and not just in the photo area...?)

You're good.  As long as it's on subject, there is no problem posting an image in a thread in the Regional Boards area.  Just make sure it's no wider than 800 pixels (just post a link for those that are wider than 800). ;)
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: VFRinTN on July 12, 2011, 01:44:55 AM
Thanks...  I like to make sure when I'm visiting a "new" (to me, at least) forum...  It IS a wee bit annoying to have original-sized files posted, I agree.  ;)

If and when we get back up that way, I'll shoot more as I'm able.  :)
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 06, 2011, 01:53:15 PM
Google maps had updated their satellite imagery of the area showing the progress of the Natcher extension.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=36.908965,-86.423521&spn=0.026697,0.054932&t=k&z=15
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: mgk920 on August 06, 2011, 03:20:56 PM
Quote from: VFRinTN on July 12, 2011, 01:44:55 AM
Thanks...  I like to make sure when I'm visiting a "new" (to me, at least) forum...  It IS a wee bit annoying to have original-sized files posted, I agree.  ;)

If and when we get back up that way, I'll shoot more as I'm able.  :)

Thanx!

An airplane is a tool that I often wish that I had access to whenever I head out to check up on road construction progress!  Do you have any recent aerials of the Pennyrile Parkway extension near Hopkinsville, KY?

Mike
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 06, 2011, 11:39:39 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 06, 2011, 01:53:15 PM
Google maps had updated their satellite imagery of the area showing the progress of the Natcher extension.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=36.908965,-86.423521&spn=0.026697,0.054932&t=k&z=15

Thanks for posting that.  Seems like they are going to be putting in C/D lanes on I-65 for the interchange.  Smart move KYTC.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on October 30, 2011, 10:32:26 AM
The Natcher extension is going to open this Thursday, Nov. 3, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: mgk920 on October 30, 2011, 11:54:57 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 06, 2011, 03:20:56 PM
Quote from: VFRinTN on July 12, 2011, 01:44:55 AM
Thanks...  I like to make sure when I'm visiting a "new" (to me, at least) forum...  It IS a wee bit annoying to have original-sized files posted, I agree.  ;)

If and when we get back up that way, I'll shoot more as I'm able.  :)

Thanx!

An airplane is a tool that I often wish that I had access to whenever I head out to check up on road construction progress!  Do you have any recent aerials of the Pennyrile Parkway extension near Hopkinsville, KY?

Mike

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=36.79277628339542~-87.49204118156891&lvl=12&dir=0&sty=a&form=LMLTCC

:cool:

Mike
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on October 30, 2011, 11:55:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 30, 2011, 10:32:26 AM
The Natcher extension is going to open this Thursday, Nov. 3, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Is there going to be a list posted online of what exit numbers are going to be switched and when?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on October 31, 2011, 10:25:32 AM
The only thing I know is that one of the KYTC districts posted something on their Facebook page about the change several weeks ago. Basically, everything is increasing by two.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 02, 2011, 05:34:35 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 31, 2011, 10:25:32 AM
The only thing I know is that one of the KYTC districts posted something on their Facebook page about the change several weeks ago. Basically, everything is increasing by two.

Is the new section closer to 2 miles or over 2.5?  If it's over 2.5, I could see some exit numbers going up by 3 if they are above the .5 mile marker in their segment.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on November 02, 2011, 09:14:23 AM
2 or plus 2.5 oh lord. Your'e going to confuse alot of Kentuckians.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on November 02, 2011, 11:39:41 AM
I went plowing through the Facebook updates of Districts 2 and 3 and did not see the post about the exit numbers changing that I remembered seeing several months ago. The best way to confirm would be to keep track of the county maps and the official order listings on KYTC's maps page.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 02, 2011, 08:51:17 PM
Alright HB.  But if you do somehow get access to an official list, please post it.  I do want to add this extension correctly to the CHM site. ;)
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on November 02, 2011, 11:04:41 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 02, 2011, 08:51:17 PM
Alright HB.  But if you do somehow get access to an official list, please post it.  I do want to add this extension correctly to the CHM site. ;)

I'll pose the question to my counterpart in Bowling Green and see what info she can give me.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 02, 2011, 11:46:24 PM
Thanks, appreciate it HB. :cool:
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on November 03, 2011, 11:36:22 AM
Just got it confirmed. Everything goes up by two miles. Exit 48 at Hartford becomes Exit 50. Exit 70 at Owensboro becomes Exit 72. And so on...
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 03, 2011, 09:20:26 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on November 03, 2011, 11:36:22 AM
Just got it confirmed. Everything goes up by two miles. Exit 48 at Hartford becomes Exit 50. Exit 70 at Owensboro becomes Exit 72. And so on...

Alright.  Thanks HB.  And the KY-622 exit number is #1, right?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on November 04, 2011, 08:40:24 PM
Now that, I do not know. Will have to make a further inquiry.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 05, 2011, 01:47:09 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on November 04, 2011, 08:40:24 PM
Now that, I do not know. Will have to make a further inquiry.

Alright, HB.  I appreciate the help in this.  In fact, I'll go add the "new" exit numbers to the Natcher in OSM right now (if somebody hasn't beaten me to it) and hold off giving KY-622's interchange it's number till you get conformation.  Also, once you do find out it's number, I'll submit the update to the Tim for the CHM project. ;)

And I-65's Exit number's going 1 > 3, or 1 > 2?  That's the only exit that adding "2" to didn't make 100% sense because it was the beginning of the highway (should have been "0" originally IMO like I-264).  Just want to be 100% sure of it for when I submit my update. ;)
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: tidecat on November 29, 2011, 10:04:46 PM
I noticed on I-65, the exit for Scottsville Road has "Scottsville" greened out and just lists "Bowling Green".  Scottsville and Owensboro are listed as control cities for the Natcher Parkwy on I-65.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on November 30, 2011, 10:33:38 AM
Quote from: tidecat on November 29, 2011, 10:04:46 PM
I noticed on I-65, the exit for Scottsville Road has "Scottsville" greened out and just lists "Bowling Green".  Scottsville and Owensboro are listed as control cities for the Natcher Parkwy on I-65.

Greened out, or has Scottsville simply been removed? Kentucky typically doesn't use greenout.

There will be a project start next year to revamp the I-65/US 231 interchange and, I think, make some improvements to US 231 north of I-65. I think the exit is going to become a SPUI.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: ShawnP on November 30, 2011, 09:04:36 PM
Project is badly needed as that side of Bowling Green has boomed.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 07, 2011, 09:09:19 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 03, 2011, 09:20:26 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on November 03, 2011, 11:36:22 AM
Just got it confirmed. Everything goes up by two miles. Exit 48 at Hartford becomes Exit 50. Exit 70 at Owensboro becomes Exit 72. And so on...

Alright.  Thanks HB.  And the KY-622 exit number is #1, right?
Quote from: hbelkins on November 04, 2011, 08:40:24 PM
Now that, I do not know. Will have to make a further inquiry.

HB, I just noticed the Bowling Green City SPRS map (http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Bowling_green_city.pdf) was updated to include the new segment of the Natcher from I-65 to US-231.  Only problem is that they didn't update the exit numbers on it.

So, is there any update on what KY-622's exit number is?  Same with the I-65 interchange since I think it might be #2 instead of 3 (#1 +2).

It's the only thing that is holding me up from releasing the Natcher update @ CHM.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on December 08, 2011, 10:30:34 AM
Plano Road is Exit 2. I-65 is Exit 2A and Exit 2B. Everything else went up by 2.

I-65 is now Exit 20A and Exit 20B.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 08, 2011, 04:25:56 PM
Thanks HB.  Made the corrections to my files and will be sending them along to Tim to be updated at CHM.

I'll also put those new exit numbers into OSM. ;)
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: NE2 on December 08, 2011, 04:36:47 PM
Doesn't the MUTCD prohibit having both 2 and 2A-B in the same direction?
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: Alps on December 08, 2011, 07:54:38 PM
Quote from: NE2 on December 08, 2011, 04:36:47 PM
Doesn't the MUTCD prohibit having both 2 and 2A-B in the same direction?
Yeah, that'd have to be A-B-C.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on December 08, 2011, 09:18:05 PM
My bad. Plano Road is Exit 1. Got my info from my counterpart in Bowling Green and will have to double-check the email she sent me tomorrow. I suspect I just made a typo.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 08, 2011, 09:26:56 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 08, 2011, 09:18:05 PM
My bad. Plano Road is Exit 1. Got my info from my counterpart in Bowling Green and will have to double-check the email she sent me tomorrow. I suspect I just made a typo.

Alright HB, I'll tell Tim to hold off on posting the update for the moment.
Title: Re: William H Natcher Parkway Extension
Post by: hbelkins on December 09, 2011, 10:40:07 PM
Hmph. I posted the correction today but for some reason, it didn't get saved to the forum.

Plano Road is Exit 1. All the other information is correct. I made a typo.