October 2001

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports in this Oct. 29, 2001 article  (no longer online) that a group calling themselves Smart Progress is attempting to block the construction of a four lane connector between I-64 and US 60 near Morehead. The group is concerned that the road is not needed and will damage a recreation area in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

This KYTC press release  commemorates the five year anniversary of the opening of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. The press release contains background information about the tunnel and several pictures of the tunnel.

The Courier-Journal reports in this Oct. 25, 2001 article  that a lawsuit has been filed claiming that KYTC officials and bridge inspectors solicited bribes regarding repainting work on the Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this Oct. 24, 2001 article  (no longer online) that a study shows that rural roads in the Green River district of Kentucky are more dangerous than the four lane highways in the region.

The KYTC will be holding a public meeting in Spencer County to discuss a proposed connector  route between KY 44 and KY 55 near Taylorsville.

The Henderson Gleaner reports in this Oct. 23, 2001 article  (no longer online) that transportation officials from Indiana and Kentucky are planning a public meeting for November 15 to discuss possible routes for I-69 between Henderson and Evansville.

The KYTC has posted materials from an October 11 public meeting concerning KY 884 in Warren County 

According to this Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online), a decision on the route for a new eastern extension of the Owensboro Bypass is still months away.

The Union County Advocate reports in this article  that work on the new US 60 bypass will temporarily close KY 56. The bypass may open around December 1; however, work has been delayed by recent heavy rains.

The Courier-Journal reports in this Oct. 17, 2001 article  that the KYTC is going to study traffic problems on the Snyder Freeway (I-265), I-64, and Shelbyville Road (US 60) in eastern Jefferson County.

The Evansville Courier and Press reports in this Oct. 16 article  that officials in Crittenden County are asking the KYTC to consider a route for I-69 along the Ohio River between Henderson and Paducah instead of a route using the Western Kentucky Parkway.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this article  that an old railroad bridge over the Ohio River near Newport which was converted to vehicle traffic has been closed and will be reopened as a pedestrian bridge.

The Glasgow Daily Times reports in this article  that the Glasgow Outer Loop is one step closer to construction now that archaeological work along the proposed path is complete.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports in this article  that a stretch of I-65 once known as "Death Valley" is safer now. Police claim this is because of increased police presence and that people are driving safer through the construction zone.

The Daily News of Bowling Green reports in this Oct. 10, 2001 article  that the KYTC is planning a day long open house to share information about planned improvements to KY 884 between US 231 and that Natcher Parkway in Warren County.

Update: The Daily News has a second article about the open house here .

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports in this October 8, 2001 article  (no longer online) that the KYTC has formed a focus group to study upgrades to the northeast portion of New Circle Road (KY 4) in Lexington. The ideas for upgrades include upgrading the road to a freeway or just eliminating a few traffic lights.

The KYTC has released additional information  from public meetings about upgrading KY 30 near Tyner and Booneville. This information includes two questionnaires and a link to the scoping study.

The Gleaner (Henderson) reports in this October 4, 2001 article  (no longer online) that the KYTC is planning several projects along US 60 between Louisville and Paducah. These projects include construction of a railroad overpass between Owensboro and Henderson and the construction of a four lane highway between Henderson and Morganfield.

The Gleaner (Henderson) reports in this October 4, 2001 article  (no longer online) that an assistant state highway engineer told the Henderson Chamber of Commerce that very few decisions have been made. Among other things, he told the group that the Indiana Department of Transportation is taking the lead in choosing a route for I-69 between Evansville and Henderson. He pointed out that it still has not been decided whether the interstate should cross the Ohio River east or west of Evansville. He also said that while upgrading existing parkways to interstate standards remains an option for routing I-69 in Kentucky that is not the only option being considered. He said that the decisions will only be made after a period of public involvement.

As a side note, I once asked the KYTC if any of the parkways meet interstate standards and the response was that none of Kentucky's parkways meet interstate standards. Work would have to be done to any of the parkways that might be included as part of the eventual routing of I-69 and I-66.

The Gleaner (Henderson) reports in this Oct. 3, 2001 piece  (no longer online) that state transportation engineers met today with the Henderson Chamber of Commerce about I-69 and US 60; however, there were no other details.

The KYTC has released information from a planning studying looking at a possible Tompkinsville Bypass .

The Courier-Journal reports in this Oct. 1, 2001 article  that the I-64 rehabilitation project in Louisville is finished. The project was completed several weeks earlier than projected, and the general contractor earned a $5 million bonus for the early finish.

I guess this means I won't have to report about this story anymore. :-)