January 2005

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded a contract for construction of 3.4 mile section of KY 15 between Jackson and Campton: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Awards Contract for Reconstruction of Kentucky 15 (Jan. 18, 2005) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that roads on which coal is hauled have twice as many deadly accidents as other roads: Lexington Herald-Leader: Coal-hauling roads: twice as deadly (Jan. 16, 2005) 

A developer may finally give up his fight to stop the city of Louisville from condemning the abandoned Big Four railroad bridge over the Ohio River after the Kentucky Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a lower court’s decision: Lousville Courier-Journal: Bridge walkway appears likely (Jan. 14, 2005) , Associated Press: City's Fight For Bridge May Be Over (Jan. 14, 2005) 

A section of an abandoned railroad bridge across the Wabash River was washed out by recent flood waters. The bridge was most recently used by Indiana Hi-Rail and had previously been used by the Illinois Central railroad. The bridge sits immediately upstream from the I-64 Wabash River crossing: Evansville Courier & Press: Railroad bridge swept away in flood (Jan. 12, 2005) , Evansville Courier & Press: Will the levee hold? (Jan. 13, 2005) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently appointed former CSX Louisville Vice President Jim Adams as Chief of Staff at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor appoints Louisville businessman to new position in Transportation (Jan. 10, 2005) , Business First of Louisville: Former CSX official joins Transportation Cabinet (Jan. 11, 2005) 

The state’s new “Unbridled Spirit” logo is now appearing on new driver’s licenses. The new driver’s licenses look the same as the old licenses, except the old Kentucky logo in the upper left hand corner of the card is replaced with the new logo.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentuckians can now see "Unbridled Spirit" in their wallets (Jan. 11, 2005) 

As of 1:00pm Eastern Time today, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Operations Center reports that the following roads are closed due to high water or rock slides:

Boone County: KY 20 (milepost 2 to 4); KY 1292 (milepost 2.50 because of a rock slide); KY 2852 (milepost 0 to 1)

Butler County: KY 403 (milepost 4 to 5)

Campbell County: KY 10 (milepost 10.60 because of a rock slide); KY 1566 (milepost 0 to 1.81); KY 1936 (milepost 1.20 because of a rock slide); KY 2921 (milepost 0 to 0.68); KY 2924 (milepost 1.70 because of a rock slide)

Carlisle County: KY 1628 (milepost 3 to 4); KY 1820 (milepost 2 to 3)

Fulton County: KY 1129 (milepost 0 to 9.64); KY 1354 (milepost 0 to 0.40)

Hancock County: KY 334 (milepost 18 to 19)

Henderson County: KY 136 (milepost 0 to 7); KY 268 (milepost 6 to 7); KY 414 (milepost 0 to 0.84); KY 811 (milepost 3 to 6); KY 3522 (milepost 0 to 0.39)

Hickman County: KY 123 (milepost 14 to 16)

Union County: KY 667 (milepost 0 to 16.54); KY 1452 (milepost 0 to 1.98); KY 1637 (milepost 0 to 2.96); KY 130 (milepost 16 to 16.02); KY 668 (milepost 0 to 1); KY 871 (milepost 3 to 6); KY 1508 (milepost 3 to 6)

Up-to-date road conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov 

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: More roads through out Kentucky shut down because of high water, rock slides (Jan. 10, 2005) 

Roundabouts are proposed for several intersections in Northern Kentucky, and in order to help drivers adjust the Northern Kentucky Planning Commission is sponsoring a Roundabout Workshop this evening: Cincinnati Enquirer: N.Ky. faces learning curve on roundabouts (Jan. 9, 2005) 

Records show that US 23 is the state’s deadliest roadway: Lexington Herald-Leader: Memorials every few miles on U.S. Highway 23 (Jan. 9, 2005) 

A recent report finds that the Brent Spence Bridge will remain structurally sound for at least the next 16 years so long as the bridge receives regular maintenance. This contradicts a 1999 study that found the bridge’s structural integrity would fail within 15 years.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Interstate 71/75 span ruled sound (Jan. 9, 2005) 

A meeting to discuss the proposed widening of US 68/KY 80 through the Land Between the Lakes will be held sometime this spring: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Road projects through LBL subject of hearing (Jan. 7, 2005) 

A rock fall has forced the emergency closure of part of KY 7 just north of West Liberty: WAVE 3: Rockfall Closes KY 7 North Of West Liberty (Jan. 5, 2005) 

Work to remove snow and ice from state roadways after the pre-Christmas winter storm cost the state $7.1 million: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Record-Breaking Winter Storm Costs State $7.1 Million (Dec. 30, 2004) 

Prestonsburg’s mayor has been on a street renaming spree that has raised questions over whether he has the authority to rename state maintained roads: Lexington Herald-Leader: Renaming road snares mayor in legal tussle (Jan. 2, 2005) , Associated Press: State asked to decide whether mayor can rename road (Jan. 2, 2005) 

Construction of the proposed Shelbyville bypass is still on track to begin this year. The state transportation cabinet is in the process of purchasing the right of way for the project, and contracts for the construction of the project are scheduled to be let in March. The bypass will connect KY 55 at US 60 south of Shelbyville with KY 55 north of town.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: Officials: Bypass still on track (Dec. 30, 2004) 

Area leaders believe the recent re-opening of the US 119 Pine Mountain crossing to commercial traffic will spark economic growth in Letcher County: WYMT Mountain News: Community Leaders Say Re-Opening of Road Could Spark Economy (Dec. 30, 2004) 

In response to residents’ concerns a flashing warning light has been installed at the intersection of Old Hodgenville Road and the new Campbellsville North Bypass. Despite data to the contrary, many residents feel that intersection is the most dangerous in the area. More information: Cental Kentucky News-Journal: Bypass gets flashing light (Dec. 29, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sent their thanks to the Kentucky National Guard for helping respond to the pre-Christmas winter storm: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says "Thanks" to Kentucky National Guard (Dec. 29, 2004)