April 2002

Funding has been restored to build an extension of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway from its current terminus near Hopkinsville to I-24 south of Hopkinsville.

More information: Kentucky New Era: Parkway funds back (Apr. 24) 

Residents near Corydon dislike the state's preferred alternative for the widening of US 60 in western Henderson County. The Department of Highways has picked Alternative 3 for the project. This alternative closely follows the existing right-of-way of US 60 except for a bypass around Corydon. Residents are concerned that the highway will ruin their front yards, and eleven residences will be removed due to the extra right of way required by the widened highway.

The state's plans have been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration. If the plans are approved, right-of-way acquisition is planned to begin in 2005.

More information: MyInKy.com: Highway officials sticking with original U.S. 60 plan (Apr. 11)  (no longer online), MyInKy.com: U.S. 60-West reversal unlikely (Apr. 12)  (no longer online)

The William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River near Owensboro is expected to open in late-July or early-August. Several tasks still remain to be completed: the construction of two foot-eight inch tall barrier walls on the outside edges of the bridge and down the center of the bridge, application of the final layer of concrete for the driving surface of the bridge, final tensioning of the cable stays, grouting of the cables, and painting of the steel undercarriage of the bridge. No date has been chosen for the grand opening of the bridge.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Bridge construction enters final phase (April 14, 2002)  (no longer online)

Owensboro's First Baptist Church has approved the sale of a house across the street from the Cary Bridge approach. This house will now be demolished to allow reconstruction of the interchange at the end of the Cary Bridge. The Cary Bridge is a two-lane bridge over the Ohio River. It carries US 231.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Cary bridge approach on right track (April 11, 2002)  (no longer online)

A KYTC study shows that residents of Lancaster overwhelming favor a US 27 by-pass to the west of the city. The US 27 project from KY 34 in Garrard County to US 150 in Lincoln County is in the planning phase. Support for a bypass around Stanford is not as a clear cut. The planning phase of the US 27 project is set to end in July. The design phase is expected to begin on October 1 and last until September of 2003. Environmental impacts of the proposed route will be studies during the design phase.

More information: Advocate-Messenger: Lancaster Favors Western Bypass Route  (no longer online)

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet started off the 2002 construction season by promoting their new work zone safety theme: "Please Slow Down...My Daddy Works Here" 

Interstate66.com  reports that public meeting about I-66 have been held in the Pike County area. Maps from the meetings can be found here .

The Kentucky New Era  reported on April 6 that State Senator Joey Pendleton believes that it is likely that funding will be restored for the extension of the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway to I-24.

A redesign of Spaghetti Junction, the interchange between I-65, I-64, and I-71 in Louisville, which is planned as part of the Ohio River bridge project could affect the Louisville neighborhood of Butchertown. Local residents are seeking to have the area designated as a preservation district.

More information: Courier-Journal: Spaghetti Junction redesign proposals worry Butchertown 

Kevin L. Earles, a 23-year veteran employee of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, pleaded guilty on March 28 to federal anti-corruption charges. He was accused of soliciting bribes during an inspection of the Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville. The Kennedy Bridge carries I-65 into Southern Indiana.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bridge Inspector Who Took Bribes Pleads Guilty