Muhlenberg County

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways (Sept. 23, 2009):

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on the US 62 Green River Bridge at Rockport starting Monday, September 28, 2009.

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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) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to reconstruct several curvy stretches of US 431 in Muhlenberg County, including the so-called “Dead Man’s Curve.”

More information: Evansville Courier & Press: Roadwork slated on dangerous curves (Dec. 19, 2005) 

State Legislator Representative Brent Yonts (D, 15th District)  has begun a campaign to have US 431 widened to four lanes from Owensboro to the Tennessee state line: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Yonts pushing for four-laning of U.S. 431 (Sept. 16, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 3 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm at Hughes-Kirk Elementary School to discuss proposed changes to the so-called “Dead Man’s Curve” south of Belton.

More information: Evansville Courier & Press: Meeting to cover deadly curve's future (Feb. 28, 2005) 

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer takes a look at unique county road names; names like Muddy Gut Road, Rattlesnake Hill Road, and Possum Trot Road: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Name Game; Tywhoppity? Muddy Gut Road? What's in a name? (Feb. 27, 2005) 

Wrecks caused backups on I-71 and I-24 and summary of snow response statewide: Associated Press: Winter storm coats parts of Kentucky with snow, ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Summary of snow response in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Kentucky and Ohio counties declare weather emergencies (Dec. 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Now, time to dig out (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Snow response in the Glasgow area: Glasgow Daily Times: Winter storm hits Kentucky (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Motorists became stranded on part of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway near Hopkinsville: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Storm paralyzes region (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher has declared a state of emergency in the following counties and cities: McLean, Hancock, Livingston, Hopkins, City of Providence, City of Owensboro, City of Falmouth, City of Butler, Todd, Daviess, Crittenden, Carlisle, Shelby, Muhlenberg, Pendleton, Bullitt and Grayson: WAVE 3: Governor Ernie Fletcher's Office Declares State of Emergency (Dec. 23, 2004) 

I-64 in Indiana remains closed between Evansville and the Illinois state line. The National Guard has been rescuing stranded motorists along the interstate: Associated Press: Guardsmen Rescuing Travelers Stranded On Southern Indiana Highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Stranded travelers recall cold night on snowbound highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Snow Storm Snarls Much Of Southern, Central Indiana (Dec. 23, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana National Guardsmen rescue stranded motorists from Interstate 64 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Current Conditions

Information regarding conditions on Kentucky’s highway can be obtained by calling 1-800-RDREPORT, by calling 511 from an in-state telephone, or by visiting ww.511.ky.gov .

Maps of roads that will be cleared by the state government can be found at: www.kytc.state.ky.us/maintenance/Snow_Ice.htm .

Owensboro officials hope to someday see a connector between Farmview Drive to Carpenter Drive; however, officials are wary of plans to widen US 431 from Owensboro to the Tennessee border: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: City seeks Farmview connector (Oct. 27, 2004) 

A stretch of KY 70 in Muhlenberg County has been renamed in honor of Tom Christerson. Christernson lived with an artificial heart for 17 months, longer than any other artificial heart patient. Christernson died February 7, 2003.

More information: Associated Press: Artificial heart pioneer to get memorial highway (Sept. 13, 2004) 

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) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

• Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information ]
• David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information ]
• Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information ]
• Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information ]
• Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information ]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) , Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) , Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) 

A report by a tax watchdog group and environmental activist group denounces plans to construct a new Ohio River bridge in eastern Jefferson County and plans to construct Interstate 66 across Kentucky: Courier-Journal: East End bridge draws fire (June 3, 2004) 

Two sections of US 431 in Muhlenberg County will be repaved: Messenger-Inquirer: Two sections of U.S. 431 in Muhlenberg to be resurfaced (May 29, 2004) 

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.

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Over fifty photographs have been added to the site. They concern:

• The Cave-in-Rock Ferry in Crittenden County
• Bridges along KY 7, KY 30, and KY 52
• Signs from around Kentucky
• A Former Toll Bridge across the Green River
• Bridges along US 62
• An Abandoned Tunnel along US 68

As part of a project to improve conditions along a stretch of US 431 in Muhlenberg County, workers have removed nearly 15 feet of a hillside: Evansville Courier & Press: State road project improves visibility on 'Dead Man's Curve' (March 15, 2004) 

Work will begin this week to make temporary improvements to a stretch of US 431 in Muhlenberg County that has seen three fatal accidents since last May. Work will begin in 2006 to make permanent improvements.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Work begins on 'Dead Man's Curve' (Feb. 21, 2004) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has allocated $113,600 from the transportation contingency fund for improvements to a stretch of US 431 where three people of have died in accidents since May 2003.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Immediate improvements slated for deadly curve (Jan. 29, 2004) 

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher Sends Funds to Fix “Dead Man’s Curve” in Muhlenberg County :

Frankfort, Ky. - Using dollars from the transportation contingency fund, Governor Ernie Fletcher today provided $113,600 for some immediate improvements to a portion of US 431 south of Belton in Muhlenberg County known as “Dead Man’s Curve”.

“A safe and reliable transportation system in the Commonwealth is vital to Kentucky's future economic growth and overall quality of life,” stated Governor Fletcher. “I am pleased to provide funding for immediate improvements along this stretch of our state's highway because Kentucky must address our highway safety problems in order to provide travelers with the highest standards of safety and care.”

The stretch of road got its name from a recent rash of serious car crashes. Three people have been killed at the site since May of 2003. On January 8th, Governor Fletcher, along with Transportation Secretary Clay Bailey and legislators from the area met in the Governor’s Office with the Bobby Anderson family whose daughter was one of the crash victims. The Governor promised immediate action to improve safety on the roadway.

State Highway Engineer Mac Yowell visited the site on January 13th and soon after dispatched a State road crew to remove trees and a portion of the hill on the west side of the curve to improve visibility. The state will also widen the shoulders and when the weather warms this spring, add a new skid resistant surface.

Meantime, state engineers are developing a plan to completely redesign the dangerous curve. Federal funds are being used to pay for the redesign that is expected to be completed by this summer and barring any major delays reconstruction of the curve could be finished by summer of 2005.

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For more information contact Mark Pfeiffer at (502) 564-3419.

Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Rodney Kirtley met with state transportation officials this week and believes that work may soon start to replace the stretch of US 431 known as “Dead Man's Curve.” Design work will be carried out in the Madisonville office instead of Frankfort; this should decrease the amount of time required to complete the project. Three motorists have died in accidents at this curve since May.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Kirtley: State says work on deadly curve should start soon (Jan. 14, 2004)  (free registration required)

The Kentucky Transportation and Tourism Interagency Committee recently approved a scenic byway through Daviess, Hancock, Ohio, Muhlenberg, McLean, Webster, Union and Henderson counties that will highlight the region.s music heritage.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Scenic byway will feature musical legends (Dec. 12, 2003) 

Residents of Belton are asking state transportation officials to improve a section of US 431 known locally as "dead man's curve."

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Families push for straightening of 'Dead Man's Curve' (Nov. 16, 2003) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Lights, signs go up on U.S. 431 curve (Dec. 9, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Funds requested to make deadly road curve safer (Dec. 30, 2003) 

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) , 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) 

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)