News Item #1586

KYTC District 8 began building a $1.357 million restricted-crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection at Slate Branch Road (KY 1642) and the KY 914 bypass in Somerset in April, with completion targeted for July 31. The intersection has had no signal since a crash knocked down the pole in May 2024. Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd and magistrates pressed the state to reconsider, citing calls from residents and Fourth of July traffic. Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and Councilwoman Phyllis Lawson defended the design, citing about a 67% crash reduction at Kentucky RCUTs, and warned residents about altered graphics circulating on Facebook.

Sources:

• Commonwealth Journal: RCUT work gets underway at Slate Branch, bypass intersection 
• Commonwealth Journal: Proposed RCUT at Slate Branch/914 intersection sparks local debate