Nonetheless, drivers urged to be alert for roadway issues
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 22, 2015) – Drivers traveling along Kentucky roadways may find their path a little easier this weekend. Although road construction season is now underway, work on most major roadways in Kentucky is being suspended through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Nonetheless, motorists are cautioned to be alert for lane closures in many locations.
“We want to make travel as nearly carefree and stress free as we can,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “But most of all, we want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.”
Coinciding with the holiday, drivers traveling through Jefferson County won’t see any new interstate or ramp closures associated with construction of the Downtown Crossing portion of the Ohio River Bridges Project. Neither will there be overnight closures scheduled for the long weekend.
Drivers should be aware, however, that long-term restrictions and closures will remain in place, with signed detours to help drivers reach their destinations. Drivers are reminded to slow down in construction zones.
The project – largest single transportation project in Kentucky history – includes construction of a new Interstate 65 bridge between Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana, and reconstruction of the massive Kennedy Interchange, where I-65, I-64 and I-71 merge in downtown Louisville.
While activity will be limited over the holiday weekend, new ramps associated with the project have opened recently, along with traffic shifts. Drivers should follow the posted speed limit and pay attention to new traffic patterns.
Continuing restrictions and closures on surface streets in downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville remain in place. Interstate and ramp closures will resume overnight Tuesday, May 26.
Other project sites where construction is suspended for the holiday but delays may occur because of lane closures or restrictions include:
· U.S. 60, Franklin County – Traffic pattern on route in Frankfort will remain in place, but no work take place.
· I-275 Carroll Cropper Bridge, Boone County – Traffic on the Carroll Cropper Bridge, between mile points 12.4 and 14.9, is restricted to one lane in each direction until the end of November for bridge deck restoration. Significant delays may occur when lane restrictions are in place. Motorists should plan accordingly and use caution when traveling through the work zone.
· I-65, Hart, Hardin, Larue counties – Work to widen I-65 between Horse Cave and Glendale will continue but is not expected to affect traffic flow. All lanes will be open.
· U.S. 60, Boyd County – Area reduced to one lane in each direction between Rose Hill and the KY 716 intersection in Summit. Drivers can expect heavy traffic and delays.
· I-64, Carter County – Right lane closed between mile points 149 and 150 due to an embankment failure.
· Carl Perkins Bridge, Greenup County – Closed for painting. All traffic is being rerouted along the U.S. Grant Bridge (U.S. 23). More information and detailed detour information at http://bit.ly/PerkinsDetour.
· U.S. 62, Mason County – One lane closed between the AA Highway (KY 9) and Moody Drive, with additional lane restrictions on the AA Highway at the U.S. 62 intersection. See http://bit.ly/US62Rebuild for project details.
· Mountain Parkway, Magoffin County – Widening project has reduced the speed limit in this area to 45 mph, and a portion of a truck climbing lane is closed east of the Gifford Road overpass.
· Pennyrile Parkway/Western Kentucky Parkway, Hopkins and Webster counties – Lane restrictions will be in place at the new interchange for I-69/Pennyrile Parkway/Western Kentucky Parkway in Hopkins County. Lane restrictions also will remain for the new Pennyrile Parkway/KY 56 Exit 63 interchange at Sebree in Webster County.
· New Circle Road, Fayette County – Potential for bridge work this weekend between Versailles Road and Leestown Road. All other construction along the route, however, will be suspended until Tuesday.
· KY 321X, Johnson County – KY 321X (College Street) in Paintsville will be closed from Main Street to Second Street for an ongoing utility relocation/pavement rehabilitation project.
Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov and WAZE, waze.com for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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