May 2004

The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency will hold four meetings over the next couple of weeks to gain public input on Louisville Area Transportation needs. The comments will be used in the creation of the area.s long-term transportation plan: Horizon 2030.

More information: Courier-Journal: Hearings next month seek transportation suggestions (May 27, 2004) , Metro Louisville Department of Planning and Design Services Transportation Division 

A memorial to the 931 people who died in traffic accidents in Kentucky in 2003 will be displayed at the I-71/I-75 southbound welcome center in Boone County today: Cincinnati Enquirer: 931 who died on roads remembered (May 26, 2004) 

The page linked above also mentions that the city of Covington is distributing a new map of the city.

The Courier-Journal reports that a ground breaking ceremony was to be held for Westport Road reconstruction project today. The project involves widening Westport Road (KY 1447) from Hubbards Lane to Hurstbourne Parkway in eastern Jefferson County and a construction of an interchange with the Watterson Expressway (I-264). Construction of the $46.1 million project is expected to take several years.

More information: Courier-Journal: Westport Road widening project to start today (May 25, 2004) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ground Breaking Held for Westport Road Project (May 25, 2004) 

Over fifty photographs have been added to the site. They concern:

• The Cave-in-Rock Ferry in Crittenden County
• Bridges along KY 7, KY 30, and KY 52
• Signs from around Kentucky
• A Former Toll Bridge across the Green River
• Bridges along US 62
• An Abandoned Tunnel along US 68

Dave Honan  has contributed photographs of several bridges over the Ohio River:

• Illinois Central (Canadian National) Railroad Bridge at Cairo, Illinois
• Illinois Central (Canadian National) Railroad Bridge at Metropolis, Illinois
• CSX Transportation Railroad Bridge at Henderson, Kentucky
• Carl D. Perkins Bridge over the Ohio River at Portsmouth, Ohio
• CSX Transportation Railroad Bridge at Sileam, Kentucky
• CSX Transportation Railroad Bridge at Siloam, Kentucky

Additionally, he has provided several photographs of a section of the US 119 relocation project in Pike County.

You can find more of his bridge and railroad photography on Dave’s website .

Thanks for the contribution Dave!

The Courier-Journal reports that 43 transportation cabinet employees have been fired or suspended for viewing pornography on state computers: Courier-Journal: Kentucky punishes workers over porn (May 22, 2004) 

Supporters of replacing the Brent Spence Bridge find comfort in the fact that senators from Kentucky and Ohio were appointed to a commission to resolve differences between the house and senate versions of a federal highway bill: Kentucky Post: Bridge on D.C. inside track (May 22, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Senators named highway conferees (May 22, 2004) 

On May 28 through May 30, the Greenup County Tourism and Convention Commission will hold a festival at the Bennett's Mill covered bridge. The bridge is located about eight miles from South Shore along KY 7.

More information: Daily Independent: Festival to mark covered bridge's span of time (May 20, 2004) 

Bad weather and problems with a temporary railroad bridge delayed the planned last summer completion of the Reynolds Road widening project; however, the project is now on track to completed this fall: Lexington Herald-Leader: End of the Road? (May 20, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher recently visited the spot improvement project along US 119 over Pine Mountain: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 12: Governor tours Pine Mountain road project (May 14, 2004) 

Area leaders are concerned about the state of the John A. Roebling Bridge over the Ohio River between Covington and Cincinnati. While the L&N Bridge and I-471 bridge have recently been repainted, the suspension bridge still suffers from exterior rusting. State transportation officials say the exterior rust poses no danger to the integrity of the bridge and that the over $6 million price tag is delaying the repainting effort.

More information: Kentucky Post: $6 million paint job for bridge Tight finances hold up Suspension Bridge work (May 18, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Suspension Bridge needs paint (May 18, 2004) , Cincinnati Post: $6 million paint job for bridge (May 18, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Changes ahead for Roebling Suspension Bridge (May 18, 2004) 

Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky leaders continue to lobby for the replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge: Kentucky Post: Bridge replacement touted as national priority (April 22, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Plea made for new I-75 bridge (April 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan calls for $15M (April 29, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Voinovich wants $15M for bridge (April 30, 2004) 

No state budget was passed, so there is no state road plan: Franklin Favorite: Area legislators predict state will have a budget (April 22, 2004) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: No budget means no road plan (April 25, 2004) 

Jim Reis recognizes the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for its work in securing money to replace the Shortway Bridge: Kentucky Post: A century of boosting business (April 26, 2004) 

Meetings on I-71 widening in Jefferson County bring a variety of opinions: Courier-Journal: Meetings on I-71 plans draw strong opinions (April 28, 2004) 

The Governor has signed a bill to expand the authority of the Buffalo Trace covered bridge authority: Maysville Ledger Independent: Denham sponsored bills signed by governor (April 28, 2004)  Public meetings must now be held before the state does any work to the area’s covered bridges.

A project to widen US 231 in Indiana from the Natcher Bridge to I-64 has begun: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Project to 4-lane U.S. 231 begins (April 29, 2004)  The first five mile segment should be complete in 2 years.

P rospect residents are worried about an intersection on US 42: Oldham Era: Prospect residents seek help with U.S. 42 intersection (April 30, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss a new I-65 connector in northern Warren County: Bowling Green Daily News: Road options for transpark shown (April 30, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet was recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for its work in protecting the Eggbert’s Sunflower: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Protects Endangered Eggert's Sunflower (May 3, 2004) 

Repairs were made to I-65 near mile marker 30 to correct a drainage problem: Bowling Green Daily News: Dangerous I-65 spot seeing changes (May 6, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Speedy repairs on interstate are appreciated (May 8, 2004) 

The new US 23 over the Ohio River at South Shore is running “woefully behind:” Ashland Daily Independent: ODOT - Bridge project 'woefully behind' (May 13, 2004)  The new U.S. Grant Bridge is scheduled to open in 2005.

• Heartland Parkway  in Central Kentucky. (more information )
• KY 44  in Bullitt County.
• KY 88  in Hart and Grayson Counties.