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Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway
[Western Kentucky Parkway]
The shield used to
mark the parkway.

Originally planned to fulfill a desire for a full-controlled access route between Louisville and Paducah, the Western Kentucky Parkway opened between Elizabethtown and US 62 east of Eddyville in 1963. There were three toll plazas along the route. Tolls were located at exit 24, exit 58, and exit 107.

The toll booths were constructed using Kentucky’s standard toll booth layout. As of 2003, construction was underway to convert exit 107 into a standard diamond interchange.

A 6.6 mile extension to the western end of the parkway opened in 1968. The extension connected the parkway to the newly constructed I-24 southwest of Eddyville. The new extension included a new toll booth, bringing the total number of toll booths to four.

The Western Kentucky Parkway never made it to Paducah. The desire to build a four lane highway between Louisville and Paducah was only realized in 1980 when Interstate 24 was completed. Until this day, the towns of Owensboro and Henderson remain left out of the state's east-west transportation system.

Tolls were removed in 1987. During the late 1990s, the road was renamed the Wendell H. Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway in honor the former governor and United States senator.

In recent years, several interchanges have been built along the parkway.

Trivia:

Related images: [16 images related to this topic.]

Related image gallery: [Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway - Miscellaneous Images]

Related links:

Related news topics: [Butler County] [Caldwell County] [Grayson County] [Hardin County] [Hopkins County] [Interstate 66] [Interstate 69] [Lyon County] [Muhlenberg County] [Ohio County]


Western Kentucky Parkway News Items

[I-69]
Traffic Shift for New I-69/Pennyrile Pkwy Interchange in Hopkins County
Posted: 24-Jul-2015 9:10AM CDT

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways:

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans a traffic shift in the work zone for the New I-69 Interchange with the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway in HOPKINS County on Friday, July 24, 2015.

Starting Friday morning, the contractor plans to change southbound traffic on the Pennyrile Parkway to the permanent traffic configuration.   That means southbound traffic on the Pennyrile will remain on the southbound lanes of I-69 along the main line, then exit left to continue south on the Pennyrile toward Hopkinsville or to take the exit ramp to the Western Kentucky Parkway eastbound lanes.

The movement for southbound traffic wishing to remain on the Pennyrile will require going over the new overpass to get back to the southbound Pennyrile or to access the existing cloverleaf ramp to the right for eastbound WK Parkway access.

Motorists should continue to use appropriate caution in this work zone and be prepared for lane restrictions to allow additional construction activities along the interchange.

The $29 million design-build contract to reconstruct the interchange to accommodate Interstate 69 was awarded to the Rogers Group, Inc., and QK4 Inc., with an expected completion date in October 2015.

Kentucky now has 55 miles of I-69.  The route follows I-24 for 17 miles from The Julian Carroll-Purchase Parkway at Calvert City to Eddyville.  I-69 then runs for 38 miles along the former Wendell Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway from Eddyville to the Pennyrile Parkway near Madisonville.

The I-69 Interchange project in Hopkins County is among about 10 major projects totaling $260 million in new construction aimed at extending I-69 northward along the Pennyrile and southward along the Purchase Parkway.

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[US 31]
District 4 Traffic Impact Report
Posted: 16-Sep-2012 5:47PM CDT

From Kentucky Tranportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 4 (Sept. 11, 2012):

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Traffic Impact Report for KYTC District 4 Week of 8/27/2012
Posted: 31-Aug-2012 12:00AM CDT

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Purple prisms along Kentucky highways generate speculation
Posted: 17-Aug-2009 11:10PM CDT
[Emerald Ash Borer Trap] [Emerald Ash Borer Trap]

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 2 on July 16, 2009:

Purple prisms along Kentucky highways generate speculation
Insect traps aimed at monitoring spread of emerald ash borer
MADISONVILLE, Ky. — If you’ve driven along the Wendell Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway or any number of other highways in Western Kentucky you may have noticed some odd looking purple prisms hanging in trees along the roadside. The strange looking structures have generated several dozen calls to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and area police agencies.
According to Kentucky State Entomologist Dr. John J. Obrycki, the oddly shaped bright purple structures are taps put out to monitor the spread of the emerald ash borer.

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[I-69]
Future I-69 Signs to be Installed
Posted: 30-Jul-2006 11:14PM CDT

The state plans to install “Future I-69 Corridor” signs along sections of the Pennyrile, Western Kentucky, and Purchase Parkways: Henderson Gleaner: 'Future I-69' signs set to grace parkways (May 16, 2006) [Outside Link]

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[I-66]
Courier-Journal Reviews I-66
Posted: 1-Mar-2006 2:41AM CST
Topics: Topic listing supressed. [29 topics related to this item]

The Courier-Journal takes a look at the proposed Interstate 66: Courier-Journal: I-66: A road to growth or path of destruction?; Environmental impact statement for first Kentucky leg being studied (Feb. 26, 2006) [Outside Link]

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[US 641]
Money Set Aside for US 641 Right-of-Way
Posted: 2-Oct-2005 8:28PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has allocated $3.5 million for acquisition of right-of-way for a project to widen US 641 between Marion and Eddyville. This money is for the first phase of the project—a 5.6-mile section in Crittenden County. Construction is expected to begin on this section in 2007.

More information: Evansville Courier & Press: Right-of-way money set aside for 10-mile highway extension (Sept. 12, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
KYTC Thanks National Guard for Winter Storm Help
Posted: 10-Jan-2005 5:16PM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sent their thanks to the Kentucky National Guard for helping respond to the pre-Christmas winter storm: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says "Thanks" to Kentucky National Guard (Dec. 29, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Warm Weather Begins to Thaw Kentucky Highways
Posted: 28-Dec-2004 4:48PM CST

Western Kentuvky’s interstates and parkways were passable, but ice persisted on roads in Christian County on Monday: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Slushing along; Roads improving but still slippery (Dec. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

More than one foot of snow shut down roads in Caldwell County: Princeton Times Leader: Blizzard conditions plague community (Dec. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

Warmer temperatures are expected to help clear roads statewide: Associated Press: Forecasters say thaw will begin this week (Dec. 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

A train that had been blocking two railroad crossings in Henderson has been moved: The Henderson Gleaner: Stuck train finally gets moving (Dec. 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

Calloway County road crews hope to get a helping hand from warm weather: Murray Ledger & Times: Road crews hope to get aid from sun (Dec. 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

Hardin County residents are happy with local snow cleanup efforts: Hardin County News-Enterprise: Ice, cold temperatures hamper road cleanup (Dec. 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

Roads in Southern Illinois are slick, but open: WPSD NewsChannel 6: Illinois: Rural Roads Are Open But Slick (Dec. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

US 41 and I-64 in Southern Indiana are in good shape: Evansville Courier & Press: Thaw turning storm into memory (Dec. 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

Up-to-date road conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Refreezing Continues to Threaten Kentucky Highways
Posted: 28-Dec-2004 1:54AM CST

With daytimes beginning to break through the freezing point, refreezing continues to pose a threat to drivers on Kentucky’s highways. Pools of water from melting snow and ice may pool on streets and highways during the day and then refreeze when the temperate drops overnight. Drivers should be weary of black ice—stretches of highways that appear to be damp but in fact are covered by ice.

More information: WPSD NewsChannel 6: Roads Refreeze for Monday Commute: Drivers Use Extreme Caution (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Forecasters say thaw about to begin in Kentucky (Dec. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

Up-to-date highway conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov [Outside Link].

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Kentucky Continues to Dig Out from Last Week’s Winter Storm; Some Roads Refreeze Overnight
Posted: 27-Dec-2004 3:22AM CST

Higher temperatures during the day may have melted some of the ice and snow along Kentucky’s highways; however, falling temperatures during nights is causing some of it to refreeze. Refreezing made parts of the Western Kentucky Parkway and Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway impassible Christmas night: Associated Press: State asks drivers to avoid western Kentucky parkways (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Motorist should use caution traveling (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Current information regarding highway conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov [Outside Link].

On Christmas Day, snow and ice remained in the travel lanes of I-65 in several places. In the Louisville area, a number of abandoned vehicles remained along the shoulders and, in some cases, the travel lanes of I-65 and the Watterson Expressway. Secondary routes in both Warren and Jefferson County were still snow and ice covered; as were many of the ramps entering and leaving I-65.

Cleanup continued through Friday on I-24: Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of holiday snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: State making progress on western Kentucky roads (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Some still without power, roads cleared (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Maysville area recovered quickly from the storm: Maysville Ledger Independent: White Christmas more shiny than fluffy; road crews scramble (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link]

Several accidents were reported on I-71 near mile marker 58 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Cold keeps its hold on state (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Improving conditions allowed shoppers to return the stores on Christmas Eve in Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Shoppers are back on track; Improving road conditions send residents heading to stores (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Summary of snow response in Henderson County: The Henderson Gleaner: Most crews stay busy helping folks, clearing roadways (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Problems continued on I-64 and I-65 in Indiana through Friday: The Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Snow freezes region; state of emergency declared (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Some Roads Reopening After Record Snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press: A long stranded trip (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], New Albany (Ind.) Tribune: City struggles to keep streets clear as snow piles up (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Interstates reopen to travelers in Midwest (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Evansville Courier & Press: Snow gives travelers tales to tell (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Some Indiana highways remained slick but passable after snow (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Indiana highways slick but passable (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Paducah area information: WPSD NewsChannel 6: UPDATE: Major Roads Now Open (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link]

More information: Associated Press: Warmth aids road crews (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Bill Monroe-Themed Welcome Center Idea Floated
Posted: 17-Nov-2004 2:09AM CST

Some Ohio County officials would like to see the rest area on the Western Kentucky Parkway converted into a Welcome Center themed about the life of Bluegrass singer Bill Monroe: Evansville Courier & Press: Bill Monroe theme eyed for W. Kentucky welcome center (Nov. 8, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
September Transportation Konnection
Posted: 17-Oct-2004 8:29AM CDT

The September 2004 edition of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s newsletter, the Transportation Konnection, has been posted to the KYTC’s web site [Outside Link].

Interesting items in September’s Konnection are:

  • Information about “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” day,
  • Information about another award for the Paris Pike Project,
  • Information about photograph of the ground breaking for Ken Bale Boulevard in Bowling Green,
  • Photographs of the reconstruction interchange between the Western Kentucky Parkway and KY 259 near Leitchfield, and
  • Photographs from the Simon Kenton Bridge rededication ceremony.

Download: [Transportation Konnection – September 2004] (2MB)

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Bridge Engineer Dies at 71
Posted: 12-Jul-2004 12:17AM CDT

Carl Kroboth, an engineer who designed several bridges and highways in Kentucky, died of cancer on Friday at the age of 71. The University of Kentucky graduate founded Kroboth Engineers, which designed the Western Kentucky Parkway bridge over the Green River and the Blue Grass parkway bridge over the Kentucky River. He retired in 1995.

More information: Associated Press: Carl Kroboth, bridge engineer, dies at 71 (July 10, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Western Kentucky Parkway’s Abandoned Connector
Posted: 24-Feb-2004 10:36AM CST

Western Kentucky Parkway's Old Connector: Overview

Prior to the completion of the westernmost 10 miles of the Western Kentucky Parkway, it ended at US 62 just west of Princeton. Once the parkway was completed, a short two lane segment of the parkway as abandoned. This Old Connector Road eventually became a residential street; however, several features clearly indicate it was once part of a major highway.

Several photographs of the connector have been added to the Western Kentucky Parkway photo gallery.

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
KY 175/Western Kentucky Parkway Interchange Opens
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 12:01AM CST

A new interchange between the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway and KY 175 near Graham in Muhlenberg County opened October 5.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: New Parkway Exit Ofificially Opens Monday (Oct. 4, 2003) [Outside Link], KYTC Press Release: Governor Patton Cuts Ribbon on the New Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway/KY 175 Interchange in Muhlenberg County (Oct. 6, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 1214]
KY 1214/Western Kentucky Parkway Interchange Not in Six Year Plan
Posted: 1-Sep-2003 4:19PM CDT

Despite fears from some area residents that their homes will soon be torn down, there are currently no plans to build an interchange at the KY 1214 and the Western Kentucky Parkway southeast of Leitchfield. City leaders have requested an interchange to be built; however, it is currently on the unscheduled needs list.

More information: Grayson County News-Gazette: Ramps for Hwy. 1214 not in six-year plan for DOT (Aug. 30, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Western Kentucky Parkway/KY 259 Interchange Being Reconstructed
Posted: 13-Aug-2003 11:53PM CDT

The cloverleaf-like interchange on the Western Kentucky Parkway at KY 259 in Grayson County is being rebuilt as a diamond interchange. The interchange was the location of the Leitchfield Toll Plaza before tolls were lifted from the parkway.

More information: Grayson County News-Gazette: Digging for a Diamond (Aug. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

[KY 259]/[Western Kentucky Parkway] Interchange
An aerial view of the current interchange.
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[US 641]
Plans for US 641 Widening Between Marion and Eddyville Expected by Year's End
Posted: 8-Aug-2003 4:35AM CDT

Transportation officials announced at recent meetings in Western Kentucky that final designed for a new four-lane US 641 between Marion and Eddyville should be complete by December 1.

More information: Princeton Times Leader: Transportation officials offer update on U.S. 641 relocation project (July 30, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Rehabilitation Work Underway on Western Kentucky Parkway
Posted: 29-Jul-2003 4:33AM CDT

Work, expected to finish by November 15th, is underway on 20 miles of the Western Kentucky Parkway. The $11.4 million project will install new drains, sink the raised median, and resurface the parkway in parts of Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties. Traffic will be restricted to one-lane in each direction during the rehabilitation work.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Parkway project now under way (July 28, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Parkways System and Cumberland Gap Tunnel Named Kentucky's Top Road Projects
Posted: 30-Dec-2002 3:59AM CST

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has named Kentucky's parkway system and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel as Kentucky's top road project. They also recognized Wendell Ford and Calvin Grayson as the state's top transportation officials.

More information: KYTC Press Release [Outside Link]

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[I-69]
I-69 Eddyville to Henderson Information
Posted: 3-Nov-2002 9:17PM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has posted information from public meeting concerning I-69 between Eddyville and Henderson.

More information: http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/planning/pl-projects/projects/I-69/i69_9.30.02/i69_9.30.02.shtm [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
KYTC Closes Some Rest Areas; Opens Others
Posted: 6-Sep-2002 10:15PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be closing several rest areas and opening a few new ones over the next few years. Two rest areas on I-64 in Shelby County, three rest areas on I-65 in Warren County and Hart County, and two rest areas on I-75 in Madison County will soon be or have already been closed; however, Kentucky is planning to build two new rest areas on I-65 in Hart County, and a one large rest area to serve both northbound and southbound traffic will be built on I-75 in Madison County. The new Madison County rest area will have parking for 400 cars, 100 trucks, and 13 oversized vehicles.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kentucky will spend millions to open new rest stops (Aug. 31, 2002) [Outside Link]

The article also briefly mentions the rest area on the Mountain Parkway and the service area on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

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[I-69]
I-69 Public Meetings
Posted: 6-Sep-2002 10:03PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be holding a series of four public meetings concerning the route of I-69 between Henderson and Eddyville. I-69 is expected to follow the Pennyrile Parkway and the Western Kentucky Parkway between these two cities.

More information:

Thanks for Chris at I69info.com [Outside Link] for the heads up about these meetings.

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[I-69]
UPDATED: I-69 and I-66 Will Use Existing Parkways
Posted: 26-Feb-2002 6:01AM CST

The decision has apparently been made that Kentucky's future Interstate 66 and Interstate 69 will apparently use existing parkways. As reported earlier on KentuckyRoads.com, the 2002 Kentucky Official Highway Map shows parts of the Western Kentucky Parkway, Natcher Parkway, and Breathitt Parkway as Future I-66 and Future I-69. On Feb. 25, the Evansville Courier & Press carried an article stating that the map indicates that I-69 and I-66 will follow the existing parkways.

Email correspondence with Mike Hancock, executive director of the Transportation Cabinet's Office of Program Planning and Management, confirms that the decision has been made to utilize as much of the exiting parkway system as possible to route I-66 and I-69. Hancock said, "we are involved in a planning study that will help us determine the costs and impacts associated with upgrading the Parkways affected by I-69 to interstate standards. We will use this study to help us assess similar needs and issues relative to the I-66 Corridor." The parkways do not currently meet federal standards for interstates and will need to be upgraded before they officially become interstates.

Federal legislation has directed Kentucky to use the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway as part of I-66 and the Julian M. Carroll Purchase Parkway as part of I-69. This legislation also directed Kentucky to erect "Future I-66" signs along the Cumberland Parkway and "Future I-69" signs along the Purchase Parkway. Hancock indicated that the Transportation Cabinet is working to erect this signs very soon.

More information: MyInKy.com - Sketching out I-69 [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
2002 Official Highway Map Released
Posted: 10-Jan-2002 6:29PM CST

The Division of Planning's 2002 Official Highway Map can now be downloaded from here [Outside Link]. The map now indicated the proposed corridors for Interstate 66 and Interstate 69.

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