Interstate 471

A new traffic study may eventually lead to improvements to I-471. The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments recently approved a $750,000 study of the region’s “Southeast Corridor.”

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Study could help unclog I-471; OKI authorizes look at 'southeast corridor' in Campbell County (June 10, 2005) 

Representatives of the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments have been in Washington this week to lobby for money to study possible upgrades to I-471 in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Planners: Upgrade I-471 (Feb. 7, 2005) 

The Henderson Gleaner reports that the 511 traffic information system fails to provide information about the hazardous conditions in the Henderson area: Henderson Gleaner: Road hotline fails this area (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The interstates are open, but many secondary roads are impassible in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Paralyzing storm shuts down travel (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Road clearing was suspended overnight in parts of Western Kentucky due to blizzard like conditions, and four stopped tractor trailers blocked traffic on I-71 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Parts of Kentucky at near standstill (Dec. 23, 2004) 

A series of traffic accidents has caused long delays on I-24 in Western Kentucky. Motorists are asked not to call emergency services unless they are in immediate need of police, fire, or medical assistance: Associated Press: Wrecks tie up Interstate 24 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Forty members of the Kentucky National Guard were activated overnight and used military tow trucks and Humvees to rescue stranded motorists. Some cars stopped along I-24 due to accidents were caught in snow drifts: Courier-Journal: Storm limits transportation options (Dec. 23, 2004) 

More information: WAVE 3: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky is wet and cold (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet posts regularly updated traffic advisories to www.511.ky.gov . You can also obtain Kentucky traffic information by calling 1-800-RDREPORT or by dialing 511 from any cell phone.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation Study the development of a new travel corridor between downtown Cincinnati and its eastern suburbs could ease congestion in Northern Kentucky: Cincinnati Post: Eastern transit needs studied (Dec. 9, 2004) , The Eastern Corridor PE/EIS Project Web Site 

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge on I-471 (known by locals as the “Big Mac” bridge) is receiving a fresh coat of paint, and the work is delaying traffic: Kentucky Post: Bridge painting causes delays (June 14, 2004) 

One of the most highly visible road projects in Northern Kentucky this summer will be the repainting of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River on I-471. The under structure of the bridge was repainted last summer; this summer the bridge's arches will be repainted.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Fewer road projects, but they'll be highly visible (March 18, 2004) 

April 20 Update: Kentucky Post: Big Mac bridge painting begins (April 2, 2004) 

Speed limits on I-471 have been raised from 55 MPH to 65 MPH. The move makes the highway.s speed limit consistent with the speed limit on I-275. This consistency is believed to make the road safer for travelers.

More information: Kentucky Post: I-471 speed limit raised to 65 mph (Dec. 9, 2003) 

Development of the Newport Levee has caused a considerable increase in traffic (and traffic accidents) on I-471's Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Newport. Newport city leaders are pressing to rebuild the ramps from I-471 south bound to KY 8; however, the project is not currently listed on the six year highway plan.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport traffic clogs bridge (Aug. 19, 2003) 

The Kentucky Post recently posted two columns from Jim Reis looking at the history of the bridges over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky:

• Kentucky Post: Long fight to bridge the Ohio; Span proposed as early as 1842 (July 14, 2003) 
• Kentucky Post: Late 1800s saw boom in bridge building (July 14, 2003) 

According to this article  in the Cincinnati Enquirer, work on I-471 on both the Kentucky and Ohio sides is complete. All lanes of the road were reopened on Friday.

According to this Cincinnati Enquirer article , I-471 in Newport will be receiving its first billboards. The city agreed to allow the billboards after requesting billboards to be removed from other areas.

BTW: This is KentuckyRoads.com 100th news item.