News Item #1644

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1:

Expect Delays Next Week as Traffic Signal Is Removed at U.S. 60 & KY 305 in McCracken County
Construction continues on new RCUT

PADUCAH, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2026) – Motorists should expect intermittent delays starting Monday, Oct. 19, in the work zone located along U.S. 60 in McCracken County between mile points 5.9 and 6.6, which includes the KY 305 and Rickman Road intersections.

Construction is underway to convert the intersection to a Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT), which improves safety by eliminating left turns and through movements from the minor street. The design simplifies decision-making for motorists by allowing them to focus on one direction of oncoming traffic at a time, reducing potential conflict points and the risk of serious crashes.

Beginning Monday, a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will permanently remove the existing traffic signal and poles at U.S. 60 and KY 305 as part of the new intersection design. The work is expected to take approximately three days, weather permitting.

Please use caution in the work zone. Lane restrictions are in effect in both directions. Speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph approaching the work zone and 35 mph within the construction area.

Currently, the center of the intersection at U.S. 60 and KY 305 is blocked, as well as the center of the intersection at U.S. 60 and Rickman Road, as crews construct the median crossovers.

The overall project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

RCUTs are part of KYTC’s ongoing strategic efforts to improve highway safety statewide. District 1 has constructed approximately 13 RCUTs to date, and more projects are in the design phase.

A February 2026 review of an RCUT constructed on U.S. 60 at KY 726/Kelly Road in McCracken County showed an 82% decrease in crashes and 100% decrease in injuries – exceeding benefits found in a national study, which showed RCUTs reduced crashes by 54% on average.

Learn more about RCUTs on the KYTC’s SAFERoad Solutions website at https://transportation.ky.gov/saferoadsolutions/ .