Kentucky

[The Ghostbuster]

Or if they had connected the Bluegrass Parkway with New Circle Road.

[Rothman]

Or if they had connected the Bluegrass Parkway with New Circle Road.

Within KY's environment, that was and is impossible.

[seicer]

Any extension to Interstate 64 would be a political and financial no-go. It would impact the Big Sink Rural Historic District (NRHP), the Pisgah Rural Historic District (NRHP), and Weisenberger Mills (NRHP), and potentially impact the Wallace Station Historic District (NRHP). It also passes through some of the most expensive real estate in the state and some of the most productive thoroughbred horse farms.

A more reasonable alternative would be to upgrade US Route 60. While it's not feasible to rebuild it as a freeway in the near term, consolidating driveway entrances, building RCUTs, and preparing for eventual interchanges at major junctions would go a long way.

[GCrites]

The urban growth boundary has most certainly saved many a horse farm on the outskirts of Lexington.

[seicer]

Town Mountain Road in Pikeville Improvements

• Plot 1 and Plot 2
• Powerpoint
• Purpose and Need

It is proposed to improve Town Mountain Road from around Bill King Hollow to US 119, with a 2+1 alignment to cross a steep ridge. This project will improve roadway geometrics, mitigate hazardous rockfalls, increase capacity, and provide a more direct/alternate route to downtown Pikeville from US 119.

[seicer]

Comments still being accepted for this safety-oriented project that will add multiple roundabouts

U.S. 127 Russell Springs Improvement Project


The proposed improvements along U.S. 127 from the Jamestown Bypass to KY 619 (Maple Street) are designed to increase roadway capacity and meet the corridor's growing transportation demands. Currently, this section of U.S. 127 experiences congestion, safety concerns, and limited mobility due to increasing traffic volumes.

High crash rates at several intersections and continued commercial growth have added to delays for commuters, school buses, and commercial vehicles. In response, this project aims to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and support future growth.

In addition to roadway upgrades for motorists, the project will also include features to improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, creating a more connected and efficient transportation corridor for everyone.

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Casey County KY 70 Realignment

Proposed Improvements — East KY-70 (Mile 16.8–19.0), Casey County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is advancing preliminary engineering and design for improvements to East KY-70 in Casey County from mile point 16.8 (Moccasin Creek) to mile point 19.0 (Singleton Drive). This work is being conducted under funding authorized by the 2024–2030 Six-Year Highway Plan.

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Transportation Cabinet to Hold Public Meeting Nov. 12 for Singing Bridge Replacement in Franklin County
Public invited to review and comment on preliminary bridge designs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2025) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12, to update residents and gather input on preliminary designs for the Singing Bridge replacement project in Franklin County.

The meeting will be an open-house event (no formal presentation) held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Paul Sawyier Public Library, 319 Wapping Street, Frankfort, Ky., 40601. Those who are interested may drop in any time to review the preliminary designs, speak with KYTC staff and project team members, and provide comments. Following the public meeting, an online survey will be available through Friday, Dec. 12. After considering public feedback, the final design phase will begin in early 2026. The construction phase is expected to begin following completion of the final design (timeline to be determined and shared when available).

Displays and materials will be available for review at the KYTC District 5 Office, 8310 Westport Road, Louisville, Ky., 40242, following the public meeting. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, with comments accepted until Friday, Dec.12. Information presented at the public meeting will also be available online following the meeting.

[hbelkins]

Town Mountain Road in Pikeville Improvements

• Plot 1 and Plot 2
• Powerpoint
• Purpose and Need

It is proposed to improve Town Mountain Road from around Bill King Hollow to US 119, with a 2+1 alignment to cross a steep ridge. This project will improve roadway geometrics, mitigate hazardous rockfalls, increase capacity, and provide a more direct/alternate route to downtown Pikeville from US 119.

Ironic, considering that Town Mountain (KY 1426) used to be US 119. Guess nobody realized that a significant portion of local traffic would continue to use it as the shortest route from Belfry/Williamson and other points east into downtown Pikeville.

[roadman65]

I see AI now knows why Kentucky uses the variable visors on their signals. I googled the age old question about why yellow signals use tunnel visors over the red and green cutouts.

You can Google it yourselves and its about the fact cut outs allow more light while tunnels restricts more light and KY believes that the yellow phase is most crucial to be seen.

[seicer]

Just posted, and unfortunately, the widening only extends from the Spaghetti Junction in downtown to Zorn Avenue. Another project will complete widening to Interstate 265.

Interstate 71 Widening Project

The I-71 widening and improvement project is a $50 million infrastructure investment to enhance safety and improve mobility along one of Louisville's most critical travel corridors. The two-year project, focused on increasing traffic capacity and safety, will enhance regional connectivity, provide reliable travel for years to come, and support economic growth. The interstate project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2027.

Widening and Pavement Upgrades/Rehabilitation

The work zone will extend along a 2-mile section of I-71. During construction, traffic along the current two lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times as crews widen the interstate to six lanes and make pavement improvements from the I-65/I-71 interchange near Frankfort Avenue to the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange.

Bridge Reconstruction

The project includes the demolition and reconstruction of I-71 bridges. Additionally, a latex overlay will be applied to the I-71 bridge over I-64 at mile point 0.3 to extend its service life.

Additional Improvements

The project includes additional enhancements, including a multi-use path on Zorn Avenue between the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange and Mellwood Avenue, as well as the installation of a median treatment at the Zorn Avenue and Mellwood Avenue intersection to improve safety and define traffic movements.

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Related:

Jefferson County: I-71 Widening to Six Lanes from Downtown to I-265 - Projects 5-48.10 & 5-557 and the associated storymap

Two projects will encompass this widening:

- Project 5-48.10 is to widen I-71 from Downtown to just north of Zorn Ave. This project includes alternatives at Zorn Avenue (Exit 2) to improve traffic operations and safety at the I-71 interchange.
- Project 5-557.00 is to widen I-71 from Zorn Avenue to I-265. This project includes a study of the I-71/I-264 interchange (Exit 5) to improve traffic operations and safety and promote the reliability of the regional interstate system.

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Related:

I-71 and I-264 Interchange Study

[hbelkins]

Kentucky is going to transition from using liquid calcium chloride as a wetting agent for its salt supply this year to using a desugared beet juice derivative. The brand name is GeoMelt. A couple of counties in each district are going to use the beet juice derivative this year, to allow Kentucky to eliminate its liquid calcium chloride supply, and by the 2026-27 winter season, the beet juice derivative will be used exclusively as the wetting agent.

[seicer]

A welcome change. Desugared beet juice is non-corrosive and biodegradable, and it should be a lot better for surrounding streams that have become too salty.

[Rothman]

A welcome change. Desugared beet juice is non-corrosive and biodegradable, and it should be a lot better for surrounding streams that have become too salty.

Wonder if it will still attract animals.

[wriddle082]

A welcome change. Desugared beet juice is non-corrosive and biodegradable, and it should be a lot better for surrounding streams that have become too salty.

Wonder if it will still attract animals.

I read that it attracts birds.  Hopefully it doesn't attract deer, elk, or bears!

[Dirt Roads]

A welcome change. Desugared beet juice is non-corrosive and biodegradable, and it should be a lot better for surrounding streams that have become too salty.

Wonder if it will still attract animals.

I read that it attracts birds.  Hopefully it doesn't attract deer, elk, or bears!

Animals?  There's a bunch of us West Virginia folks (and perhaps some Southerners with similar tastes) that are going to be soppin' this stuff up off the road like crazy.  Especially if it tastes like desugared pickled beets.  I wonder if our neighbors in Kentucky are fond if this kind of soup?

[Plutonic Panda]

A section of I-71 in Louisville is being widened finally:

https://transportation.ky.gov/NewsRoom/Gov.%20Beshear%20Announces%20I-71%20Project%20in%20Louisville.pdf

[hbelkins]

Wonder if it will still attract animals.

I read that it attracts birds.  Hopefully it doesn't attract deer, elk, or bears!

Heard anecdotally that when the new US 460 section in Virginia opened last year, a number of elk were struck and killed, as they were attracted to the salt on the road.

A welcome change. Desugared beet juice is non-corrosive and biodegradable, and it should be a lot better for surrounding streams that have become too salty.

Not sure that the beet juice derivative is going to remedy that. It's a substitute for the liquid calcium chloride that's used as a wetting agent for the salt (sodium chloride) that is placed on the road. While the non-corrosive nature of the beet juice is indeed beneficial for road and bridge infrastructure, the salt trucks, and private vehicles; the main melting agent is still salt. Plus, the beet juice is used as a wetting agent when temperatures are below a certain level, which means it won't be used all the time. KYTC still plans to use brine to pretreat when necessary.

Also,

Beet juice!
Beet juice!
Beet juice!

Isn't that supposed to summon someone or something? I don't know, I've never seen the movie.

[bandit957]

I keep thinking of "beet, beet, sugar beet, beet, sugar beet, sugar beet, beeeee-eeeeet!" from 'Sesame Street'.

[bandit957]

Anyone else notice how badly state route markers in Kentucky have been fading lately? It's not just right around here. I saw a clip on YouTube from London, Kentucky, and noticed it there too.

There has been something in the air the past few years that's been making things like that fade very rapidly, especially certain colors such as black, red, and sometimes yellow.

[hbelkins]

Anyone else notice how badly state route markers in Kentucky have been fading lately? It's not just right around here. I saw a clip on YouTube from London, Kentucky, and noticed it there too.

There has been something in the air the past few years that's been making things like that fade very rapidly, especially certain colors such as black, red, and sometimes yellow.

I've really noticed it along the US 27 and KY 9 corridors in District 6, but to a lesser extent in state route (black on white) markers of a certain age in other districts as well.

It's also very noticeable on brown guide signs (panel signs) on interstates and parkways, unless the signs are fairly new. The brown fades to the point where it almost looks light green.

[jnewkirk77]

It's also very noticeable on brown guide signs (panel signs) on interstates and parkways, unless the signs are fairly new. The brown fades to the point where it almost looks light green.

District 2 has the state route marker fading issue, but it's not as widespread as it once was. Some signage has been replaced lately, especially on US 60 in Daviess and Hancock counties.

The brown-to-green fade was the result of some bad material from a few years ago.  I'm not 100% sure, but Avery Dennison made some inroads in manufacturing retroreflective material that was, initially, brighter than that made by 3M and also less expensive, but the durability was poor at best. This was a problem both with highway signage and license plates. Most of the peeled/faded/darkened Kentucky plates (made before the switch to flat plates) was caused by Avery's sheeting failure.

[GCrites]

There's a reflective sign for Huntington Park (Columbus Clippers) along OH-315 just north of I-70 that is nearly obliterated. Huntington Park opened in 2009. There are signs on that stretch that are much older than that and in way better shape.

[seicer]

Preferred alternatives have been released for an SR 40 improvement project in Paintsville. The project starts at West Street by the ARH Hospital and ends at Garbage Hollow. It adds curbs and sidewalks in the city, and 4' shoulders elsewhere.

• Handout
• Exhibit 1
• Exhibit 2

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A contract was let for the Brannon Road/SR 1980 improvements between US 68 and US 27 in Jessamine County. This widens SR 1980 to two lanes with a two-way turn lane and adds a 10' multi-use path and a 5' sidewalk, adds a roundabout at the Clays Mill Road Extension, and adds a bridge over the railroad.

• Project page

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Construction on the Veterans Memorial Parkway/SR 1958 extension in Winchester begins next year. This realigns the existing SR 627 bypass, eliminating the current four-lane intersection by the high school.

• FONSI

[Rothman]

Well, at least the name "Garbage Hollow" wasn't a random moniker...

[seicer]

Planning for a circumferential highway around Cincinnati shaped the development of several major Ohio River crossings, including the Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge and the Combs-Hehl Bridges.

Read on: Completing the Circle Freeway: The Two River Bridges That Made It Possible

1 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



2 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



3 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



4 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



5 Combs-Hehl Bridges



6 Combs-Hehl Bridges



7 Combs-Hehl Bridges

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Documents/2026%20Recommended%20Highway%20Plan.pdf

Kentucky's Highway Plan (2026-2032) is up.