Madison County

In a recent photo opportunity, Gov. Fletcher delivered checks to pays for the design and construction of a new bypass in Berea: Richmond Register: Berea road projects get $3.4 million from state (Nov. 22, 2005) 

Main Street (US 25) in Madison County has been permanently reduced to two lanes with a continuous left turn lane. The new lane configuration is meant to reduce congestion caused by drivers making left turns.

More information: Richmond Register: Main Street no longer four lanes (Oct. 4, 2005) 

The city of Berea has sold two parcels of land that will be used to construct a new bypass to the state government. The bypass will connect KY 21 and KY 595 near I-75.

More information: Richmond Register: Berea sells bypass right of way to state (March 16, 2005) 

At a recent public meeting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled plans for the reconstruction of a 4.2-mile of KY 52 in Garrard and Madison Counties: Richmond Register: Road project may force residents from homes (Nov. 2, 2004) 

• October 26: Public meeting to discuss the replacement of the KY 2448 crossing of the North Fork of the Kentucky River. (6PM-8PM at the Hazard City Hall) [more information ]
  
  
• November 4: Public hearing to discuss the reconstruction of KY 52 in Garrard and Madison counties. (5PM-8PM at Paint Lick Elementary School) [more information ]
  
  
• November 9: Public meeting to discuss alternatives for a proposed route between the AA Highway at Tollesboro and US 68 at Fairview. (5PM-7PM in the Fleming RECC Meeting Room in Flemingsburg) [more information ]
  
  
• November 29, 30: Public meeting to discuss construction of the new Interstate 66 between Somerset and London. (Nov. 29 5PM-8PM at London Community Center and Nov. 30 5PM-8PM at The Center for Rural Development in Somereset) [more information ]

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

[Read Full Text]

The Valley View Ferry across the Kentucky River where Madison, Fayette, and Jessamine Counties meet is Kentucky’s oldest business. It has been in operation since 1785. The ferry is privately owned; however, payments from the Transportation Cabinet keep the service free.

More information: The Lane Report: A Kentucky Ferry Tale (March 2004) 

A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday to mark the completion of the first stage of a project to reconstruct KY 52 between Lancaster and I-75. The project is planned to be completed in four stages.

More information: KYTC Press Release: First stage of KY 52 Reconstruction officially opens (Oct. 29, 2003) 

A section of KY 52 east of the Richmond Bypass in Madison County will be widened from two lanes to five lanes with a continuous left turn lane. The project is planned to relieve congestion along the road and improve access to the Blue Grass Army Depot.

More information: Richmond Register: Ky. 52 project should be on schedule (Aug. 19, 2003) 

Two-hundred-and-sixty-two photographs of Kentucky's roads have been added to this website. The new photo galleries include:

• Bridges of the Ohio River - Several of Kentucky's 40 bridges across the Ohio River.
• William H. Harsha Bridge Photographs - Photographs of Kentucky's first cable stayed bridge: the William H. Harsha bridge near Maysville.
• I-64 - Sherman Minton Bridge - The I-64 and US 150 bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.
• Shortway Bridge - The Old KY 1120 bridge over the Licking River between Kenton and Campbell Counties.
• I-65 - John F. Kennedy Bridge - The I-65 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• US 31 - George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) - The US 31 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• I-65 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 30 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the new section of KY 30 under construction in Laurel County.
• I-65 Warren County Construction - June 29, 2001
• I-65 Warren County Construction - May 22, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - August 15, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - July 5, 2003
• I-75 - Miscellaneous Images - Includes photographs of I-75 widening projects south of Lexington.
• William H. Natcher Bridge - October 26, 2002
• William H. Natcher Bridge - February 8, 2003
• Louisville - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 3 and KY 645 - Inez - January 3, 2003
• AA Highway - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 67 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 80 - Miscellaneous Images - Along KY 80 in Pulaski and Laurel Counties.
• KY 101 and KY 259 - Edmonson County - November 18, 2001 - A new section of KY 259 and KY 101 under construction in Edmonson County.
• US 23 - Miscellaneous Images
• US 60 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the Cumberland and Tennessee River bridges.

A few new images have been added to the KentuckyRoads.com - Miscellaneous Signs and KentuckyRoads.com - General Images galleries as well.

When the first part of this bridge opened in 1946 it was the 7th tallest bridge in the United States. Today it is still an engineering wonder; two parallel bridges were joined together by a third bridge to form one continuous roadway. On July 5, 2003, I took these pictures of the I-75's crossing of the Kentucky River: the Clay's Ferry Bridge.

South end of the bridge viewed from KY 2328.	Looking south from underneath the bridge.	The central span of the bridge, viewed from KY 2328.
[Click Here for More Pictures and Information]

From http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/News/ewartw.johnson.htm :

LEXINGTON, KY - (December 16, 2002) - Friends and family joined state and local officials in a dedication ceremony today to honor Ewart W. Johnson of Winchester, Kentucky. The Boonesboro Bridge on KY 627 was renamed the Ewart W. Johnson Bridge in appreciation of his service to Madison and Clark Counties and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr. Johnson served as the Kentucky State Parks Commissioner from 1971 - 1975, and was instrumental in the construction of KY 627 from Winchester to Boonesboro. Secretary of Transportation James C. Codell, III said, “Ewart Johnson had a vision to provide the citizens of Winchester and Boonesboro with a safer roadway. Tragically, seven people had died in seventeen months on the current road. He wanted a new road built between Winchester and Boonesboro because he wanted to save lives.”

His accomplishments as Commissioner of Parks include the construction of Fort Boonesborough at Fort Boonesborough State Park. The beginning development of what is now the Kentucky Horse Park, and the completion of an 18-hole golf course at Lake Barkley State Resort Park where he hosted the first Boots Randolph Invitational Golf Tournament. This golf tournament has since become an annual event.

Secretary of Tourism and Acting Commissioner of Parks, Ann R. Latta praised Johnson’s commitment. “Through his leadership, countless thousands of visitors have learned more about Kentucky’s history and have enjoyed a wide variety of recreational opportunities.”

The North Main Street widening project in Berea has been completed.

More information: http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/News/595.htm 

KY 1986 in Madison County has been named in honor and memory of Trooper Clinton Cunningham who was killed on April 6, 1976.

More information: http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/News/cunningham.htm 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced the following upcoming public meetings:

• Sept. 9 - Discussion of Upgrades to US 51 in Hickman County 
• Sept. 10 - Discussion of Upgrades to US 51 in Carlisle County 
• Sept. 10 - Replacement of the High Street Bridge 
• Sept. 19 - Construction of a new interchange and rest area on I-75 
• Sept. 24 - US 421 widening in Fayette County 
• Sept. 26 - US 460 Realignment in Morgan County 
• Oct. 7 - US 119 Reconstruction in Letcher County 

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) 

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

A number of new planning studies have been released including a new connector near Grayson in Carter County , reconstruction of US 27 in Garrard and Lincoln Counties , reconstruction of KY 101 in Warren County , reconstruction of KY 90 in Barren County , and reconstruction of US 25 in Boone County .

Update: The KYTC has also launched two new websites devoted to particular projects: KY52.com  for improvements to KY 52 in Garrard and Madison counties and E2RC.com  for information about the Elizabethtown-Radcliff Connector.