October 2004

The engineering firm Michael Baker Jr. Inc. has been chosen to design the new downtown bridge that is part of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Designs for the bridge will eventually be presented at public meeting and displayed on www.kyinbridges.com . Construction is tentatively expected to begin in 2007.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Press Release (Oct. 29, 2004) , The (Jeffersonville, IN) Evening News: Michael Baker Jr., Inc. firm to design downtown bridge (Oct. 29, 2004) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Pennsylvania company will design bridge (Oct. 30, 2004) 

The completion of a new lock at Kentucky Dam is not expected until 2010 or 2011. Part of the project includes the relocation of US 62/US 641 and the Paducah & Louisville Railroad to new bridges downstream from the dam. Those bridges are currently under construction: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: TVA board applauds city, county growth (Oct. 28, 2004) 

The city of Morganfield must modify the intersections at either end of Railroad Street before the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will issue permits for connections with US 60 and KY 56. The informal street sits on an abandoned Illinois Central railroad bed; Morganfield plans to pave the road and formalize its use as a city street.

More information: Union County Advocate: Morganfield will modify ends of street (Oct. 27, 2004) 

The city of Ashland will change sections of 15th and 16th Streets into two-way thoroughfares: Ashland Daily Independent: Plans for street repairs tightened (Oct. 27, 2004) 

Despite the reopening of the 10th Street bridge in Newport, local business owners say lingering construction equipment and detour signs are hurting their businesses: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge work hurts shops (Oct. 28, 2004) 

Owensboro officials hope to someday see a connector between Farmview Drive to Carpenter Drive; however, officials are wary of plans to widen US 431 from Owensboro to the Tennessee border: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: City seeks Farmview connector (Oct. 27, 2004) 

The idea of tolling the two new proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville came to the forefront in Indiana's 9th District congressional race; however, the possibility of tolling the bridges is not currently being considered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Courier-Journal: Toll idea captures campaign in Indiana (Oct. 26, 2004) , (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Hill, Sodrel battle over bridge tolls (Oct. 26, 2004) 

The Oct. 23, 2004 edition of the Murray Ledger & Times included photographs of the opening of a new section of KY 80 .

At a recent public meeting, residents of LaGrange were able to show their support for one of the five plans to improve traffic flow in the city’s downtown. The changes are due, in part, to plans by CSX to renovate the railroad tracks that run down Main Street: Oldham County Era: Traffic proposals presented to residents (Oct. 22, 2004) 

Last Wednesday, a group of concerned citizens proposed work to straighten a curve along KY 55 in Nelson County: (Bardstown) Kentucky Standard: Group protests Big Spring road project (Oct. 22, 2004) 

Transportation officials deemed the “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” week to be a success. Fewer people died on Kentucky’s highways between Oct. 4-11 2004 than during the same period in 2003: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: "Put the Brakes on Fatalities in Kentucky" week deemed a success (Oct. 22, 2004) 

$10 million in federal funding that was at one time earmarked for the construction of a new bridge between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati will now be used to upgrade Industrial Road in Boone and Kenton Counties: Cincinnati Enquirer: Industrial Road to get upgrade (Oct. 21, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently conducted a safety review at the intersection of KY 109 and US 60 in Sullivan: Union County Advocate: Traffic Engineers Conduct Safety Review on U.S. 60/Ky. 109 Intersection (Oct. 20, 2004) , The Henderson Gleaner: High-tech help set for U.S. 60 intersection (Oct. 26, 2004) , Union County Advocate: Traffic Engineers Make Safety Recommendations for U.S. 60/KY 109 Intersection In Sullivan (Oct. 27, 2004) 

Last week the Lexington-Fayette County government held a public meeting to discuss plans to widen Clays Mill Road. Under the current plan, Clays Mill would be widened to three lanes—one lane in each direction and a continuous left turn lane—and five lanes at busy intersections. More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Public comment sought on Clays Mill widening (Oct. 20, 2004) 

For the second time in two months, the Lawrence County Fiscal Court has rejected a motion to rename the KY 3 Levisa Fork bridge in honor of former Chief Justice of the United States Fred M. Vinson. The Louisa city council recently voted to support the renaming of the bridge; the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will make the final decision on whether or not to rename the bridge.

More information: Daily Independent: Court refuses again to endorse bridge name (Oct. 20, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has selected an engineering firm to discuss ways to improve access between I-65 and the southern Hardin County town of Glendale: Hardin County News Enterprise: Glendale project takes another step (Oct. 20, 2004) 

The city of Cold Spring in Campbell County has announced a 25-year plan to rebuild all city-maintained streets. The city was founded in 1941, and most of its streets are 25 to 30 years old.

More information: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Cold Spring to rebuild streets (Oct. 19, 2004) 

On Thursday, November 18, 2004 the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will hold a public meeting to discuss improvements to US 421 from the interchange with I-71 in Henry County to Bedford in Trimble County. The meeting will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Bedford Elementary School.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: To Discuss A Study for the Improvement of US 421 From I-71 To Bedford 

The reopening of the 10th Street bridge in Newport has caused traffic to return to streets that had been quiet since the bridge closed fro repairs in the spring: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge opens way for accelerated traffic: Residents (Oct. 19, 2004) , (Covington) Kentucky Post: Newport bridge opens after repairs (Oct. 19, 2004) 

A $175,000 pilot program will pickup trash along Louisville’s major roads three times over the next 18 months: WAVE 3: Abramson Unveils Street Sweeping Program To Clean, Pick Up Litter On Major Roads (Oct. 18, 2004) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Program paves way for sweeping nearly 90 major suburban roads in Louisville (Oct. 19, 2004) 

A $100,000 grant from the state government will pay for the repaving of four miles of Flour Creek Road in Pendleton Road. The county owned road has become a major route for trucks traveling between US 27 at Butler and the AA Highway at Foster. Pendleton County will have to pay to pave .3 miles of the road. The entire length of the road between KY 177 and KY 159 will be repaved for the first time in over 15 years.

More information: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Pendleton road to be repaved (Oct. 18, 2004) 

A public meeting to discuss renovations to Fleming County’s Goddard Covered Bridge was to be held today: Maysville Ledger Independent: Meeting for Goddard Renovations Tuesday (Oct. 18, 2004) , Maysville Ledger Independent: Meeting outlines giving Goddard Bridge facelift it deserves (Oct. 27, 2004) 

Consultants under the hire of the Covington City Commission have developed a blueprint for the redevelopment of 12th Street. The redevelopment is designed to compliment the planned widening of 12th Street from I-75 to Scott Boulevard. Construction on the widening project is expected to begin in 2007.

More information: (Covington) Kentucky Post: 12th Street to get new life (Oct. 17, 2004) 

The recently created gap in KY 80 will be one step closer to closure on Thursday when an 8-mile section of newly constructed highway opens in Marshall and Calloway Counties. The new section of highway will complete the new four lane highway between Aurora and US 641 north of Murray. The new roads will be signed as KY 80.

Formally, KY 80 followed a two lane road between Aurora and Mayfield. That road has been renumbered as KY 402.

The next phase of the KY 80 widening project will be to construct a new highway between US 641 and Mayfield.

More information: Murray Ledger & Times: New section of Ky. 80 to open next week (Oct. 16, 2004) , WPSD NewsChannel 6: New highway brings new warnings (Oct. 21, 2004) 

Kentucky’s neighbor to the south will move closer to construction of Interstate 69 next year. Right-of-way purchase for the route in Obion County, Tennessee is expected to start in early 2005.

More information: Union City Messenger: Rippy heralds economic good news (Oct. 13, 2004) 

A new bypass of Union in Kenton County has opened; however, the lack of sewers will slow development in the area: Kentucky Post: New U.S. 42 awaits sewer system (Oct. 15, 2004) 

Following an accident at the intersection of KY 79 and the US 68/KY 80 Bypass in Russellville, a youth group from Oak Grove Baptist Church wrote to the Logan County Fiscal Court suggesting safety improvements at intersections along the bypass: Logan County News-Democrat & Leader: Church teens seek more Bypass safety measures (Oct. 15, 2004) 

Ashland’s Sixth Street reopened this week after being closed since late July for a widening project. The project is related to the new Melody Mountain shopping development—a development that will include a Wal-Mart, Outback, and O’Charley’s.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Sixth Street open again (Oct. 15, 2004) 

US 31W has been identified as the most dangerous road in the Barren River Area Development District. In response to this, a $247,000 federal grant will be used to develop safety programs related to the highway.

More information: Franklin Favorite: U.S. 31-W targeted for attention (Oct. 14, 2004) 

During a discussion of the condition of roads through out the county at the September 27 meeting of the Webster County Fiscal Court, Judge Executive Jim Townsend proposed paving all of the roads in the county. Under the proposal the county would borrow around $5 million to cover the paving costs, and then pay off the money over a ten to twelve year period. The fiscal court must now choose whether or not to act on the proposal.

It was also suggested that logging companies purchase permits before hauling logs over county roads. This would allow the county to monitor damage caused to roads by logging operations.

More information: Webster County Journal Enterprise: Fiscal Court concerned over county road conditions (Sept. 29, 2004) 

The Louisa City Council voted last week to support the renaming of the Louisa-Fort Gay Bridge over the Big Sandy River in honor of Fred M. Vinson, the 13th chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Vinson was born in and is buried in Louisa. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet must now approve the proposal.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Louisa votes to rename bridge in honor of Vinson (Oct. 14, 2004) 

The ceremonial painting of a beam at Louisville’s Waterfront Park marked the beginning of a multi-year project to repaint I-65’s bridge over the Ohio River. The bridge will be painted in a scheme consisting of three colors: green, beige and chestnut brown. The project is also being staged in such away to limit the impact on motorists. Usually, at most one lane in either direction will be closed; however, two lanes may be closed between the hours of 1am-5am throughout the duration of the project. The pain job is expected to last for 30 to 40 years.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ceremonial Painting On Louisville's Kennedy Bridge Marks Beginning Of Project (Oct. 14, 2004) 

The September 2004 edition of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s newsletter, the Transportation Konnection, has been posted to the KYTC’s web site .

Interesting items in September’s Konnection are:

• Information about “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” day,
• Information about another award for the Paris Pike Project,
• Information about photograph of the ground breaking for Ken Bale Boulevard in Bowling Green,
• Photographs of the reconstruction interchange between the Western Kentucky Parkway and KY 259 near Leitchfield, and
• Photographs from the Simon Kenton Bridge rededication ceremony.

Download: [Transportation Konnection – September 2004] (2MB)

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning has released its final report on proposed spot improvements to US 51 in the vicinity of Clinton.

More information: KYTC Division of Planning: US 51 Scoping Studies Final Report (Sept. 20, 2004) 

• September 13: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Information about the Kentucky Aviation Conference (Sept. 13, 2004) 
  
  
• September 13: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Information about the Adopt-a-Highway Program (Sept. 13, 2004) 
  
  
• September 15: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Highway Safety Management Executive Committee formed (Sept. 15, 2004) 
  
  
• September 23: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: David Ray appointed Executive Director of the Office of Inspector Genera (Sept. 23, 2004) 
  
  
• September 28: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: "Put the Brakes on Fatalities in Kentucky Week" Announced (Sept. 29, 2004) 
  
  
• September 29: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Federal Highway Administration Provides Funding for the Women-In-Construction On-the-Job Training Program (Sept. 30, 2004) 
  
  
• October 4: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Week of October 4-11 “Put the Brakes on Fatalities in Kentucky Week” (Oct. 4, 2004) 
  
  
• October 9: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Bridge Inspection turns into "animal rescue" for KYTC workers (Oct. 8, 2004) 

• October 26: Public meeting to discuss the replacement of the KY 2448 crossing of the North Fork of the Kentucky River. (6PM-8PM at the Hazard City Hall) [more information ]
  
  
• November 4: Public hearing to discuss the reconstruction of KY 52 in Garrard and Madison counties. (5PM-8PM at Paint Lick Elementary School) [more information ]
  
  
• November 9: Public meeting to discuss alternatives for a proposed route between the AA Highway at Tollesboro and US 68 at Fairview. (5PM-7PM in the Fleming RECC Meeting Room in Flemingsburg) [more information ]
  
  
• November 29, 30: Public meeting to discuss construction of the new Interstate 66 between Somerset and London. (Nov. 29 5PM-8PM at London Community Center and Nov. 30 5PM-8PM at The Center for Rural Development in Somereset) [more information ]

A recent meeting of the Webster County fiscal court addressed sign theft. Webster County offers a $1000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction and sign thieves. The court is also offering amnesty to those wishing to turn over stolen signs. The amnesty program ends Oct. 31.

More information: Webster County Journal-Enterprise: County approves issuance of revenue bonds (Oct. 13, 2004) 

The US 60 Highway Safety Corridor committee met in September to discuss using a team concept to increase safety along US 60 in Hancock, Daviess, Henderson, and Union counties: Union County Advocate: Highway safety meeting today in Owensboro (Sept. 29, 2004) 

A crew cleaning the Clarks River discovered a cache of seven 40mm grenade rounds and approximately 50 20mm and 50-caliber rounds near the KY 1462 (Benton-Birmingham Road) crossing of the river. The explosives were removed and safely detonated at the Marshall County Landfill.

More information: Marshall County Sheriff’s Department: Explosives found in Clarks River (Oct. 8, 2004) 

The city of Morganfield is seeking bids for a project to pave over the abandoned Illinois Central railroad corridor between Airline Road and Chapman Street. Illinois Central stopped server in Union County “a generation” ago; however, part of the line was operated by the Tradewater Railroad Co. The city acquired the property several years ago, and it has been used as a street informally known as Railroad Street.

Now the Morganfield city government hopes to pave the street and rename it honor of retiring City Councilwoman Dorothy Crutcher and her late husband Norval Crutcher.

More information: Union County Advocate: Paving bids sought for Railroad St. (Sept. 1, 2004) 

A proposal to rename parts of Fifth Street Road and Sixth Street Road in Owensboro has exposed differing opinions from area residents: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Resident objects to renaming of road; City: West Fifth Street Road name confusing (Sept. 22, 2004) 

The new name for both streets would be Cravens Street.

The Jessamine County-City of Wilmore Joint Planning Commission recently approved a revision to the comprehensive Jessamine County land use plan. The new plan includes a new connector route from Nicholasville to I-75. The route starts at the proposed Nicholasville eastern bypass and extends to the north-east towards Fayette County. The plan does not indicate that the route will be constructed; nor does it show the final alignment of any such route. It was included in the plan only to show that such a route may someday be constructed.

The route also removes plans for a proposed “shared-use trail” along an old railroad corridor between Wilmore and High Bridge. Local residents had feared such a trail would bring crime and trespassers.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Land-use plan for Jessamine approved (Oct. 13, 2004) 

A new connector route in Indiana provides a new route from Hawesville to I-64 in southern Indiana. The new Indiana 237 connects the Bob Cummings Bridge over the Ohio River at Hawesville to Indiana 37 and I-64.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Connector to I-64 opens in Perry County (Oct. 4, 2004) 

In late September, the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridges was rededicated following a multiyear rehabilitation project. The bridge was originally dedicated Nov. 25, 1931. In addition to numerous local and state officials, two women who participated at the original dedication ceremony were on hand.

More information: The (Maysville, Ky.) Ledger Independent: Bridge Rededicated Following Upgrade (Sept. 24, 2004) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Holds Opening Ceremony for Simon-Kenton Bridge (Sept. 23, 2004) 

A contract for a project to reconstruct the US 231 ascent of Hadley Hill in northwestern Warren County will be let in April of next year. The $1 million project will straighten a series of curves that have been the sight of numerous accidents over the years: Bowling Green Daily News: Hadley Hill curve to get improvement (Oct. 11, 2004) 

Road construction on Fort Campbell Boulevard (US 41A) will cause delays at Fort Campbell’s Gate 7: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Road construction to cause fort delays (Oct. 6, 2004) 

A project to reconstruct a half-mile segment of KY 55 near the Big Spring Cemetery in Bloomfield was scheduled to begin today. Area resident have expressed some concern that about the impact the project will have the nature of the nearby cemetery.

More information: The (Bardstown) Kentucky Standard: KY 55 road project begins Monday (Oct. 11, 2004) 

A chemical leak at a DuPont plant near Wurtland forced the closure of roads in the area: Associated Press: Highway closed during chemical leak from DuPont plant (Oct. 11, 2004) 

Planning continues for a proposed project to extend KY 645 from its current terminus at US 23 to I-64 near Morehead. No money has been allocated for construction of the project; however, a $500,000 feasibility study has been ongoing since 2002. The study will help determine whether such a route is needed and present preliminary alternatives for the route.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Ky. 645 extension still on track (Oct. 11, 2004) 

A repaving and bridge rehabilitation project on I-64 near the Rowan/Bath County line is expected to complete in December. Three miles of the road are being repaved, and the deck of the Licking River bridge is being overlaid with a latex concrete. The latex concrete will serve to waterproof the bridge and extend its lifetime.

More information: The Morehead News: I-64 bridge on Rowan line to be done in December (Oct. 8, 2004) 

After years of delays and scandals, another project to repaint the Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville has begun. The $8.7 million project has a deadline of July 31, 2006. The bridge was last painted in the 1970s.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kennedy Bridge paint job starts (Oct. 8, 2004) 

A new bypass of the Boone County town of Union is nearly complete: Kentucky Post: U.S. 42 in Union nearing completion (Oct. 2, 2004) 

A project to widen Turfway Road in Boone County is planned to begin this spring: Kentucky Post: $8.7M Turfway Road project set (Sept. 23, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has allocated $100,000 to repair the Tebbs Bend Bridge over the Green River in Taylor County. The bridge was closed after annual inspections found it to be deficient; the repairs will be temporary. A permanent replacement is planned for 2008.

More information: Central Kentucky News-Journal: Historic bridge will be repaired (Sept. 23, 2004) 

The City of Bowling Green, state government, and private investors are contributing funds to the construction of a new 5-lane connector route from Scottsville Road (US 231) to Shive Lane. The new route will provide access to new commercial developments.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Bale Boulevard aimed at easing congestion, building business (Sept. 15, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently held a public meeting to discuss alternatives for the construction of a new connector route between Elizabethtown and Radcliff: The (Hardin County) News-Enterprise: State officials solicit input on E'town-Radcliff connector (Sept. 15, 2004) 

Construction of a new connector route from Southtown Boulevard to Frederica Street (US 431) in Owensboro southern commercial area: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Work to start on West Loop; Project to take 9 months (Sept. 15, 2004) 

The city of Covington continues its fight with CSX over the appearance of railroad overpass at the intersection of 15th and Wheeler: The (Covington) Sunday Challenger: The Big Engine That Won't - Covington Battles Railroad Giant (Sept. 14, 2004) 

At a meeting September, Bowling Green’s Greenway Commission discussed plans for both side of the Barren River near downtown: Bowling Green Daily News: Greenways group discusses trails around riverfront (Sept. 14, 2004) 

A stretch of KY 70 in Muhlenberg County has been renamed in honor of Tom Christerson. Christernson lived with an artificial heart for 17 months, longer than any other artificial heart patient. Christernson died February 7, 2003.

More information: Associated Press: Artificial heart pioneer to get memorial highway (Sept. 13, 2004) 

Five of the nation’s largest bridge designers will submit designs for the two new bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville. Area leaders want the bridges to be signature pieces that help define the Louisville metropolitan area. Designs for the new bridges are expected to be chosen this fall: Courier-Journal: Top firms compete to design 2 new bridges (Sept. 13, 2004) 

Courier-Journal columnist Bob Hill asked his readers to send him essays describing designs for the bridge: Courier-Journal: Bridge design needs some local flavor (Sept. 14, 2004) 

Disabled citizens on motorized scooters have taken to the streets in Paintsville, and the increase scooter traffic has lead to calls to build new sidewalks in the Eastern Kentucky community: Associated Press: Riding uneasily in Paintsville (Sept. 11, 2004)