August 2003

Work to widen and repave part of 2nd Street in downtown Louisville has unearthed ties and tracks from a street car system that last ran on Louisville's streets in 1948.

More information: Courier-Journal: Downtown streetcar tracks, ties unearthed (Aug. 31, 2003)  (includes photograph)

On Thursday, the Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss plans for a southwestern bypass of Somerset. The plan has been marked by controversy after it was revealed that modifications to the planned route mean that it will pass through land owned by now former Transportation Cabinet employees.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Engineers defend revised bypass route (Aug. 29, 2003) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader reviews Transportation Cabinet Inspector General Bobby Russell's first year on the job: Lexington Herald-Leader: Transportation inspector general sorts the scandals (Aug. 28, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the construction of a new four lane divided highway between Springfield and Columbia along the KY 55/KY 555 corridor.

• Sept. 2 - Lebanon
• Sept. 4 - Columbia
• Sept. 8 - Springfield
• Sept. 11 - Campbellsville

More information: Lebanon Enterprise: Public meeting is scheduled for Heartland Parkway discussion (Aug. 27, 2003) 

An error in the plans for a new bridge over Barretts Creek in Carter County resulted in a bridge abutment being constructed at the wrong elevation. Work to correct the problem will delay the opening of the bridge a month or more to late September or early October.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Bridge opening delayed in Carter (Aug. 28, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is currently waiting for the Federal Highway Administration to approve plans to widen US 27 between Camp Nelson and KY 34. Plans to widen the section between KY 34 and Stanford are still in the design phase.

More information: Danville Advocate Messenger: Planning continues on widening U.S. 27 (Aug. 26, 2003) 

Public meetings were held last week to discuss possible routes for a new connector route between Old Henry Old at the Gene Snyder Freeway in Jefferson County and KY 22 in Crestwood in Oldham County.

More information: Courier-Journal: Views on proposed road 2 counties are sought (Aug. 26, 2003) 

The University of Kentucky-based Kentucky Transportation Research Center is conducting a study of a system to provide drivers with up-to-the-minute information about traffic conditions through work zones on I-64 between Louisville and Lexington: KYTC Press Release: TIPS Helps Motorists Get through Highway Work Zones (Aug. 25, 2003) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader looks at the so-called "Field Services Office" at the transportation cabinet: Lexington Herald-Leader: Officials question merit of political appointees; Donors Hold Transportation Jobs (Aug. 24, 2003) 

A group representing the descendants of Daniel Boone has launched a PR campaign to express their outrage over the renaming of the Daniel Boone Parkway as the Hal Rogers Parkway. For the first time, a spokesman for Gov. Patton admitted that the governor recommended the name change to the Transportation Cabinet.

Former Gov. Louie B. Nunn has offered a renaming compromise. He has proposed renaming the Cumberland Parkway in honor of Congressman Rogers. In 2000, the state legislature renamed the Cumberland Parkway the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway in honor of the former governor without his consent. Nunn says the signs on the parkway could easily be changed to honor Hal Rogers.

More information: Associated Press: Descendants furious over removal of Daniel Boone's name from Kentucky highway (Aug. 23, 2003) , Associated Press: Former governor offers compromise to restore Daniel Boone's name to Kentucky parkway (Aug. 27, 2003) 

The Shortway Bridge was demolished with explosives on the morning of Monday August 25. The new Licking River Girl Scout Bridge was closed during the implosion, and the Licking River was closed to river traffic for 24 hours so pieces of the bridge could be removed from the river. Steel from the bridge was collected for recycling.

Bridge implosion: Photographs from the Cincinnati Enquirer , Video from WCPO 

The bridge, which connected 11th Street in Newport with 12th Street in Covington, opened in 1914 and was originally a toll road. The state purchased the bridge in 1986. It has been closed since 2001 when it was replaced by the Licking River Girl Scout Bridge.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Shortway Bridge soon to be shorter (Aug. 22, 2003) . Kentucky Post: Bridge to close for Monday blast (Aug. 22, 2003) , Associated Press: Shortway Bridge to be imploded (Aug. 23, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Short' story to end Monday (Aug. 24, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Rush hour detours for bridge implosion (Aug. 25, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: So long, Shortway: Bridge takes dive into river history (Aug. 26, 2003) , Kentucky Post: Picking up the pieces of the Shortway (Aug. 26, 2003) 

Department of Highways employee Frank Chandler died of injuries suffered during a Aug. 19 accident on KY 8 (River Road) in Kenton County. Chandler had worked for the state for 30 years, the last 14 of which where spent in Northern Kentucky.

Chandler was struck by a car driven by Steve Stoinoff, 84, of Villa Hills. Police said that Stoinoff did not appear to be under the influence alcohol or other drugs.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Highway worker who was hit dies (Aug. 20, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Franklin Lee Chandler (Aug. 21, 2003) 

Another road has been named for Hal Rogers. Hal Rogers Boulevard is a new connector street designed to improve access to Whitley County High School from US 25W.

More information: Corbin Times-Tribune: New road to bear Rogers' name (Aug. 19, 2003) 

A section of KY 52 east of the Richmond Bypass in Madison County will be widened from two lanes to five lanes with a continuous left turn lane. The project is planned to relieve congestion along the road and improve access to the Blue Grass Army Depot.

More information: Richmond Register: Ky. 52 project should be on schedule (Aug. 19, 2003) 

Work to restore the Goddard White Covered Bridge near Flemingsburg will be completed on site. Originally the transportation cabinet had planned to dismantle the bridge, complete the renovation work off site, and then place the bridge back in its original location; however, out-of-state covered bridges experts who recently inspected the bridge believe it would be more economical to complete the repairs on site. This report and pressure from the public has lead the transportation cabinet to agree that that the bridge should not be dismantled.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: On-site renovation may be option (Aug. 19, 2003) , Maysville Ledger Independent: Experts: Dismantling Goddard Bridge unnecessary for restoration (Aug. 19, 2003) , Maysville Ledger Independent: Specialists inspect covered bridges in Buffalo Trace area (Aug. 19, 2003) , Maysville Ledger Independent: Covered bridges celebrated in Fleming (Aug. 25, 2003) , Maysville Ledger Independent: The people have spoken - Renovation plans altered on Goddard Bridge project (Aug. 29, 2003) 

Development of the Newport Levee has caused a considerable increase in traffic (and traffic accidents) on I-471's Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Newport. Newport city leaders are pressing to rebuild the ramps from I-471 south bound to KY 8; however, the project is not currently listed on the six year highway plan.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport traffic clogs bridge (Aug. 19, 2003) 

Former state Democratic party chairman Grady Stumbo told a WYMT television audience that he believes Transportation Secretary James Codell should resign his post. Former Republican part chairman Mike Duncan agreed.

Stumbo said that spate of scandals in the Transportation Cabinet show that Codell has lost control of his employees.

More information WKYT: Call For Transportation Cabinet Secretary To Step Down (Aug. 18, 2003) , Associated Press: Grady Stumbo, Mike Duncan say Codell should resign (Aug. 19, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Two ex-party chairmen say Codell should resign (Aug. 20, 2003) 

A Franklin County judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Norris Beckley against the Transportation Cabinet and Gov. Patton. Beckley formerly headed the Transportation Cabinet's Office of Minority Affairs. He claimed that he was unfairly fired after his role in the Governor's sex scandal was revealed.

More information: Associated Press: Judge dismisses case against Transportation Cabinet, governor and others (Aug. 18, 2003) , WKYT: Suit Against Patton Dismissed (Aug. 18, 2003) 

The Courier-Journal looks at the hazards that face horse-drawn carriage drivers and steps that Kentucky and Indiana are taking to accommodate them: Courier-Journal: Sharing the road; Kentucky, Indiana take steps to protect horse-drawn vehicles (Aug. 18, 2003) 

Elizabethtown's Ring Road (KY 3005) will be closed for construction during the week of Aug. 18. Area businesses are concerned about the impact this road closure will have on their sales.

More information: Hardin County News-Enterprise: E'town preparing to close, expand Ring Road (Aug. 17, 2003) 

The Courier-Journal reports that following Sept. 11, 2001, the transportation cabinet asked Kentucky's county clerks to stop issuing driver's licenses without photos. This conflicts with the religious beliefs of some Amish-style groups: Courier-Journal: Group objects to photo on license (Aug. 15, 2003) 

The Kentucky Post has published another editorial concerning the renaming of the Daniel Boone Parkway: Kentucky Post: Forgetting a hero (Aug. 7, 2003) 

Excerpt:

"Inspector General Bobby Russell of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) told reporters today [Aug. 8] that his investigators have seized eleven computers suspected of being used to view child pornography. Six of the computers were located at various offices of the Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort; two were located in Louisville, two in Bowling Green and one in Jackson."

Read the full text of the press release here .

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will begin repainting the Glover H. Cary bridge in downtown Owensboro in 2006; however, before then, the cabinet must choose a color for the new paint. Owensboro residents will be able to voice their opinion on the bridges new color beginning Friday. Residents will be able to vote at the Daviess County Public Library, Towne Square Mall, and online at the Messenger-Inquirer website.

Area students were given a chance to vote on the bridge color in the spring. Blue is the current front runner with 44% of the vote with teal (22%), brick red (17%), and green (14%) following. The bridge was last painted in 1987 and is currently teal.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: (Aug. 13, 2003)  (free registration required), WKYT: Citizens Will Vote On Bridge Color (Aug. 13, 2003) , KentuckyRoads.com: Photograph of Glover H. Carey Bridge

Archaeologists are conducting investigations of several sites along US 25 between Lexington and Georgetown as preparation work for major widening of the road. Actual construction of the route is expected to begin in late 2006 or early 2007.

More information: Georgetown News-Graphic: Crew digs for Native American artifacts along U.S. 25 South (Aug. 13, 2003) 

Work to widen I-64 in Clark County will soon include work to reconstruct Exit 94, the interchange with KY 1958. The Winchester Sun calls for the Exit 96 interchange with KY 627 to be reconstructed as well; however, no such plans currently exist.

More information: Winchester Sun: 96 interchange needs work, too (Aug. 12, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning has released materials concerning a planning study for a new route connecting Harlan and Hazard. See here   for more information.

Pond Run Road, which is part of both KY 244 and KY 750, north of US 23 in Raceland will see improvements thanks to a $300,000 grant from the federal government. The road will be widened from US 23 to the tunnels underneath the CSX rail yard. Widening on part of KY 750 south of US 23 was completed last year.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Expansion set for north side of Pond Run (Aug. 11, 2003) 

The Transportation Cabinet is seeking consultants to design a 2.6-mile highway to connect I-65 to US 31W in northern Warren County as part of the Kentucky TriModal Transpark. The road could conceivably extended as part of the Bowling Green Beltline project or the I-66 project. The transportation cabinet would like to have construction start on the road within two years; however, they also expect a full environmental impact statement to be completed, which could take some time.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Transpark seeking road developers (Aug. 9, 2003) 

At 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 24, an implosion will remove the old Shortway Bridge over the Licking River between Convington and Newport. The bridge has been replaced by the new Licking Valley Girl Scouts Bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Remnants of old bridge will be imploded Aug. 24 (Aug. 9, 2003) 

On Wednesday, Guy Jones resigned from his politically appointed position in the Transportation Cabinet; Guy Jones and his brother Doug Jones, and cabinet employee, came under investigation after complaints surfaced that the route of Somerset's proposed southwestern by-pass was changed to cross property they owned.

It is also being investigated how Guy Jones managed to balance his transportation cabinet job and another job with the U.S. Postal Service.

More information: Somerset Commonwealth Journal: Oh Brother! (Aug. 8, 2003) 

The FBI and agents of Kentucky's attorney general have seized several computers owned by the Transportation Cabinet. Computers were seized from the cabinet's main offices in Frankfort and from other undisclosed cabinet facilities. State Auditor Ed Hatchett's office reported that 212 computers at the cabinet had been used to access 20,000 pornographic images during 24 days of reviewed Internet activity. It has been alleged that some of the images viewed included child pornography; using interstate commerce, in this case this Internet, to access child pornography is a Federal crime.

More information: Courier-Journal: FBI, attorney general seize state computers; Cabinet workers reportedly accessed child pornography (Aug. 8, 2003) , Associated Press: Eleven computers seized from Transportation Cabinet offices (Aug. 8, 2003) 

Diamond-grinding and concrete patching work on I-64 between Midway and the Franklin-Woodford County Line will begin Aug. 10 and will result in lane closures. The work is expected to last until mid-October.

More information: Herald-Leader: Work Begins Sunday on I-64 (Aug. 8, 2003) 

Two years after being cited by the Transportation Cabinet for delaying work on a road connecting US 23 and the Pikeville airport to illegally mine coal along the road's right-of-way, Elmo Greer & Sons of London has been fined $125,000. The company had been allowed rights to any coal uncovered during the construction of the road; however, Greer has been found to have illegally mined coal from a 40 acre waste area along the 2.7-mile road.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Road contractor fine took two years (Aug. 8, 2003) 

The Maysville Ledger Independent reports that discussion of the Goddard Covered Bridge dominate the first meeting of the newly recreated Buffalo Trace Covered Bridge Authority. The Goddard Bridge is scheduled to be dismantled for restoration following the August 23 Covered Bridge Festival. Initially the transportation cabinet had hoped to replace only 30 percent of the bridge's timbers; however, the bridge authority believes that up to 90 percent of the bridge will need to be replaced. Interim chair Steve Donovan says that the authority hopes to find a way to preserve the historical integrity of the area's covered bridges.

More information: Maysville Ledge Independent: Covered bridge group looks past statute to set standard (Aug. 8, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has begun an $8.9 million project to repair the deck the US 31 Clark Memorial Bridge across the Ohio River at Louisville. Delays on the bridge have forced some drivers to seek alternate routes across the Ohio River.

More information: Associated Press: Work on Ohio River bridge draws complaints (Aug. 8, 2003) , KentuckyRoads.com: George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge Photo Gallery

On August 6, the Associated Press picked up the news of the Daniel Boone Parkway being renamed for Congressman Hal Rogers: Associated Press: Congressman's name takes place of Daniel Boone's on Kentucky parkway (Aug. 6, 2003) 

Sources as varied as The Guardian , a British newspaper, and The Washington Times  picked up the story.

Update Aug 8, 2003: The Courier-Journal has posted an editorial concerning the renaming: Courier-Journal: Boone vs. Rogers (Aug. 8, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will hold a public meeting to discuss possible routes for both a southwest and a northern bypass of Somerset. The meeting will be held on Aug. 28 at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: If You Go (Aug. 8, 2003) 

A new connector route between US 62 and KY 33 had opened. The new by-pass route will divert truck traffic from Versailles's downtown streets.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Woodford Connector opens today (Aug. 5, 2003) , KYTC Press Release: KY 33/US 62 Woodford Connector Opened Today (Aug. 5, 2003) 

A new two-lane ramp from I-71 to KY 35 promises better access to the Kentucky Speedway.

Two more projects are planned for the speedway area: widening of I-71 to three lanes north of the speedway and the construction of a new road from I-71 Exit 55 to the bridge across the Ohio River at Markland Dam.

More information: The Cincinnati Enquirer: Fans have speedier way to speedway (July 31, 2003) 

State investigators are looking into how the proposed southwestern Somerset bypass came to be routed onto land owned by two Transportation Cabinet employees. One of the employees, Doug Jones of the District 8 office, resigned from the cabinet after the investigation was made public.

Doug Jones is also under investigation for accessing pornography using state computers.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Somerset bypass plan questioned (July 31, 2003) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Official resigns after scrutiny over bypass route (Aug. 5, 2003) , Courier-Journal: State transportation official will quit (Aug. 5, 2003) 

A state historical marker along KY 55 near the location Shelby County's first settlement, Painted Stone Camp, has been returned. The sign was removed when KY 55 was widened in 1996 and has been stored in a Transportation Cabinet garage since then.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: After six years, historical sign returns home (July 30, 2003) 

A project to re-align part of US 68 in Mercer County will involve a temporary closure of the road. A detour will be posted along KY 33 and KY 152 between Harrodsburg and Shaker Village. The landscaping for the project will involve the planting of 140 trees of 12 different native species. The road closed on Aug. 1 and will re-open by December 1.

Another section of US 68 in Boyle County was closed for culvert replacement on Aug. 6.

The Danville Advocate Messenger  reported this information on July 30, 2003.

Transportation officials announced at recent meetings in Western Kentucky that final designed for a new four-lane US 641 between Marion and Eddyville should be complete by December 1.

More information: Princeton Times Leader: Transportation officials offer update on U.S. 641 relocation project (July 30, 2003) 

Officials have increased the enforcement of construction zone speed limits on a section of Elizabethtown's Ring Road (KY 3005) that is being widened.

The work has also involved lowering the level of the nearby Freeman Work so that a drain underneath the road could be replaced. The lowering of the level of the city-owned lake brought about a false rumor that there was a hole in the dam.

More information: The Hardin County News-Enterprise: Officials plead for caution in Ring Road construction zone (July 30, 2003) 

A project to widen 1.5-miles of KY 245 near Bardstown to four lanes began in June and is on schedule. The road work should be completed during the summer of 2004.

More information: Bardstown Kentucky Standard: KY 245 project on schedule (July 30, 2003) 

• House Joint Resolution 169  passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2002 designated seven miles of KY 72 in Bell County as the Coal Miners Memorial Highway. State Rep. Rick Nelson and around thirty others dedicated the highway on July 28, 2003.
• House Joint Resolution 170  passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2002 designated the bridge at the intersection of KY 66 and KY 221 in Bell County the Dr. R. R. Evans Memorial Bridge. The bridge near the community of Arjay was dedicated on July 29, 2003. Dr. Evans operated a private medical practice in the community from 1929 until 1990 and served on the Bell County Board of Education for twenty years.

Signs have been posted at both locations indicating the new honorary names.

An audit of computers used by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet revealed that a group of "French hackers" broke into cabinet computers and were using them to host chat networks and distribute stolen software, videos, and music. Additionally, cabinet computers were used to access pornography 6000 times during a four day test period. Some of the pornography viewed included pornographic images of children.

At least one cabinet employee has resigned after being confronted with evidence he illegally accessed pornography, and several others are under criminal investigation.

More information: Associated Press: Hackers Break In To State's Computers (July 29, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Transportation Cabinet computers breached (July 30, 2003) , Associated Press: Patton: Hacking, porn visits were fault of Transportation Cabinet (July 30, 2003) , Lexington Herald Leader: Hackers hijack Transportation's computers (July 30, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Transportation officials say breach of agency computers has been halted (July 31, 2003) , Courier-Journal: More state computers used to watch porn (Aug. 2, 2003) , Courier-Journal: State transportation official will quit (Aug. 5, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Child porn accessed at Transportation Cabinet (Aug. 7, 2003) , WKYT: Auditors Say Kiddie Porn Found On State Computers (Aug. 7, 2003 

The Danville Advocate Messenger  reported on July 29, 2003 that work to rebuild the US 150 Danville viaduct should be complete by September 15 and that it should re-open to traffic by September 1. The viaduct originally opened in 1949. Years of salt and traffic have caused the concrete to deteriorate, and the Transportation Cabinet is replacing the viaduct as a preventative measure. The viaduct will retain its original arched architecture.

• Lexington Herald-Leader: Transportation Cabinet scandals bringing scrutiny (July 29, 2003)  - After costly law suites and high profile scandals, the state legislature will direct the Legislative Research Commission to hire a consultant to study management at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
• Associated Press: Governor's former mistress pleads innocent to mail fraud charge (July 30, 2003) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Conner pleads not guilty to mail fraud (July 31, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Tina Connor pleads innocent to mail fraud (July 31, 2003)  - The charges relate to the state's certification of a contracting company owned by Tina Conner and her former husband as a disadvantaged business enterprise.
• Lexington Herald-Leader: Judge dismisses lawsuit against Transportation cabinet, officials in their state capacity (Aug. 4, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Judge dismisses part of suit over minority-contractor program; Claims against Transportation Cabinet rejected (Aug. 5, 2003)  - A lawsuit against the Transportation Cabinet has been dismissed; however, Sec. Codell and State Highway Engineer Yowell may still be sued as individuals.
• Lexington Herald-Leader: Governor appoints new director of Transportation Cabinet's minority affairs office (Aug. 5, 2003)  - Alleged misuses of the cabinet's minority affairs program are at the heart of the current crises.