February 2005

$10 million that was originally earmarked for construction of a Lebanon Bypass will instead be spent to construct a new route between Columbia and Campbellsville. State Rep. Jimmy Higdon told the Lebanon Enterprise that in the Heartland Parkway priority list, the route between Columbia and Campbellsville was given higher priority than the Lebanon bypass.

More information: Lebanon Enterprise: $10 million for North Lebanon Bypass went to neighboring district (Feb. 23, 2005) 

An east extension of the US 60 Bypass around Owensboro has been identified as Owensboro’s top transportation priority by the Owensboro-Daviess County Urban Area Transportation's technical advisory committee. Construction on the project to extend the bypass toward the Natcher Bridge is expected to begin in 2008 and be completed by 2011.

The committee also rejected the idea of widening Frederica Street (US 431) to six lanes.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Panel rules out six-laning Frederica (Feb. 23, 2005) 

William also noted during a meeting of the Purchase Area Development District that work will not begin to widen US 68/KY 80 through the Land Between the Lakes until a environmental impact statement is approved by the federal government.

More information: Murray Ledger & Times: Road project to resume this summer (Feb. 22, 2005) 

The Courier-Journal has printed several letters both for and against the governor’s plan to sell $500 million in bonds to finance highway projects: Courier-Journal: Funding for highway construction and maintenance (Feb. 21, 2005) 

Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire would like to see an new interstate-grade outer loop constructed around Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Haire pushes 'outer loop'; Road would connect I-69, I-66 spurs (Feb. 20, 2005) 

A bill that would allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to replace the state’s license plate whenever it sees fit was approved by the House Transportation Committee this week. Currently law stipulates that the state’s license plates be replaced every five years. Since the current license plates featuring a smiling sun were introduced in 2003, they are currently scheduled for replacement in 2008.

More information: Associated Press: House panel votes to get rid of smiley plate (Feb. 17, 2005) , WKYT: "Smiley Face" Plate Could Be Phased Out (Feb. 18, 2005) 

Another legislative session brings about another effort to rename a highway in honor of Daniel Boone. Current efforts are focused on renaming US 25E between Corbin and Middlesboro—which roughly follows the route of Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Trail—in honor of the early explorer. The former Daniel Boone Parkway between London and Hazard is likely to remain named for U.S. Representative Hal Rogers.

The Boone Society has posted a petition requesting that US 25E be renamed in honor of Daniel Boone on their website: The Boone Society 

More information: Associated Press: Replacing Daniel Boone not easy for congressman (Feb. 17, 2005) 

Astute observers will note that the text of the sidebar on the above referenced article is taken almost word-for-word from my topic describing the Daniel Boone Parkway/Hal Rogers Parkway.

Union County officials have asked the state to reject a request by a start-up coalmine to add two-miles of KY 365 to the list of approved coal hauling highways: Evansville Courier&Press: Coal road proposal irks residents (Feb. 14, 2005) 

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a Frankfort, Ohio company will be paid about $40,000 to create 11 new huge “Welcome to Kentucky” signs incorporating the state’s new “Unbridled Spirit” slogan: Cincinnati Enquirer: High hopes for new Ky. Slogan (Feb. 13, 2005) 

The Murray City Council recently approved a resolution that brings a proposed downtown business loop one step closed to construction. The $1.8 million project would extend from KY 121 south of downtown to KY 94. The project will be partially financed by nearly $1 million in federal funds.

More information: Murray Ledger & Times: Murray moves closer to creation of business loop (Feb. 11, 2005) 

The city of La Grange has hired the firm CDP Engineers to develop two alternatives for changes to downtown streets that will be required when the CSX railroad through La Grange is rebuilt. CSX had planned to begin work to remove the street running track through La Grange as early as July; however, it now appears the work will be delayed.

More information: Oldham Era: Committee: track plans need more (Feb. 11, 2005) 

A group known as the Economic Transportation Alliance for Kentucky (ETA-KY) recently released a report which states Kentucky’s roads are in poor condition and are deteriorating rapidly due to increased use: Grayson Count News-Gazette: Are state roads facing a crisis? ETA-KY: Yes! (Feb. 10, 2005) , Economic-Transportation Alliance for Kentucky 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has installed a LED enhanced “Stop” and “Stop Ahead” signs at the intersection of KY 109 and US 60 in the Union County community of Sullivan. The signs include solar powered LED lights that flash to warn motorists of the intersection.

More information: Union County Advocate: Traffic Engineers Place New LED Signs at U.S. 60-KY 109 Intersection In Sullivan (Feb. 9, 2005) 

A wreck this morning at I-65 mile marker 51 has forced the closure of I-65 southbound at exit 53 (KY 90). A detour has been posted. Up-to-date information on traffic conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov 

Plans for a rail trail linking Indiana and Illinois hit a snag when a segment of the abandoned Indiana Hi-Rail railroad bridge collapsed into the Wabash River in January. A group of civil engineering students at the University of Evansville were studying how to best rehabilitate the bridge which is located just upstream from the I-64 bridge.

More information: Evansville Courier-Press: Trail project for bridge hits a snag (Jan. 30, 2005) 

The Transportation Cabinet is studying the cost of straightening curves along KY 79 in the area of Davenport Hill in Logan County: Bowling Green Daily News: Ky. 79 improvements sought in Logan (Feb. 8, 2005) 

A Transportation Cabinet Engineer reported to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that a study of how to best upgrade or replace the Brent Spence Bridge has shown that the I-71/I-75 bridge over the Ohio River should carry seven lanes of traffic in each direction.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Proposal calls for 14-lane bridge (Feb. 8, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will hold an “Open House” style public meeting to present proposed alternatives for the replacement of the Main Street Bridge over the Little Sandy River in Greenup. The meeting will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. March 7, 2005: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Bridge and Approaches for Main St at Little Sandy River 

The mayors of Louisville and New Albany, Indiana are proposing that the K&I Bridge west of downtown Louisville become part of a 14-mile bicycle/pedestrian loop along the Ohio River in Louisville and Southern Indiana. The railroad bridge is owned and operated by the Norfolk Southern railroad. The bridge consists of two sets of railroad tracks—that carry up to thirty trains per day—down the center flanked by auto lanes on either side. The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic after an overweight truck broke through the metal grating of the roadway.

A spokesman for Norfolk Southern expressed concerns over the safety of such a plan.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Letting cyclists on bridge backed (Feb. 8, 2005) 

Work to widen US 68/KY 80 beginning at the intersection with US 31W north of Bowling Green is being done on an accelerated basis and being paid for with discretionary funds. The $2.5 million project is likely a prelude to the construction of a new interchange with I-65 to serve the new Kentucky TriModal Transpark. Completion of the widening is scheduled for May 15.

Work is also planned to begin soon to reconstruct KY 101 near the Warren County-Edmonson County line.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Traffic changes being planned (Feb. 7, 2005) , WBKO: U.S.68 SAFETY PROJECT GROUNDBREAKING (FEB. 7, 2005) 

Representatives of the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments have been in Washington this week to lobby for money to study possible upgrades to I-471 in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Planners: Upgrade I-471 (Feb. 7, 2005) 

US 27 from Fayette County to Lincoln County has been targeted for the “Drive Smart” safety program: Danville Advocate Messenger: U.S. 27 corridor selected for safety campaign (Feb. 7, 2005) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Drive Smart 

Part of KY 267 in Perry County will be closed tomorrow for drain pipe replacement. The effected part of the road is between Typo and Bonnyman. The road is expected to close at 8 a.m. and to be reopened by 4:30 p.m. The closure is expected to last only one day.

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Engineers are studying how to best replace the cloverleaf interchange at New Circle Road (KY 4) and Newtown Pike (KY 922). The interchange was constructed in the 1960s when traffic on New Circle Road was less than a third of what it is today.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Interchange having midlife crisis (Feb. 7, 2005) 

A recent accident brings the death toll along KY 79 in Logan County since the late 1950s to seven: Logan County News-Democrat & Leader: Crash claims another life on Morgantown Rd.; There had been six deaths in this area of KY 79 since the late 1950s; this recent one makes seven (Feb. 6, 2005) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader profiles U.S. Representative Hal Rogers who the dub the Prince of Pork: Lexington Herald-Leader: Prince of Pork; Hal Rogers hauls home tax dollars by the billions (Feb. 6, 2005) 

Descendants of Daniel Boone feel slighted by Kentucky politicians. First Paul Patton had the Daniel Boone Parkway renamed the Hal Rogers Parkway, and then state legislature failed to either re-rename the Hal Rogers Parkway or rename another road in honor of Boone.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Descendants of Daniel Boone feel insulted by politicians (Feb. 1, 2005) 

A proposed extension of KY 9 (the AA Highway) into Newport along the Licking River is seen as a way to relieve congestion from I-71, I-275, and I-471: Cincinnati Enquirer: Ky. 9 revamp could ease jams (Feb. 1, 2005) 

In January, Gov. Fletcher announced the early release of $33 million in state road maintenance funds to city and county road agencies: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher announces early release of $33 million in County Road Aid and Municipal Road Aid funds; Money given out early to help local governments hit by snow storms, flooding (Jan. 26, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will soon resume work on a study to determine the best route for a by-pass around Corydon. The state had previously submitted a study for federal approval; however, opponents were able to convince the federal government that the state had not sufficiently studied all alternate routes.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: U.S. 60-W widening studies set to resume (Jan. 25, 2005) , Union County Advocate: US 60 improvements moving forward (Jan. 26, 2005) 

State Senator Charlie Borders has proposed naming a new route between the AA Highway and the Black Oak Industrial Park for former President Ronald Reagan: Ashland Daily Independent: Senator suggests name for new Lewis County highway (Jan. 24, 2005) 

Land in the path of the proposed bridge east of downtown Louisville is being developed, partially because of Kentucky’s laws governing right-of-way acquisition. Under Kentucky law, if land is condemned for the purchase of a highway, the original owner may repurchase it at the sale price if the land isn’t used in eight years.

More information: Courier-Journal: Land develops in bridge's path as state waits (Jan. 23, 2005) , Associated Press: Couple's dream home going up in path of proposed bridge (Jan. 23, 2005) 

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently for a newly constructed segment of US 421 in Harlan County: WYMT Mountain News: Section of Major Road is Complete (Jan. 22, 2005) 

State Rep. Rob Wilkey believes that work to widen I-65 from the Tennessee state line to Bowling Green could begin this spring. He also has high hopes for a project to widen US 31W from KY 1008 south of Franklin to the Tennessee state line: Franklin Favorite: 'Road projects a go,' Rep. Wilkey says (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The construction phase of a project to widen the southern portion of the Danville by-pass to four lanes may begin this spring. Bid will be let for the project is month.

More information: Danville Advocate Messenger: State to four-lane Danville bypass (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The Boone County Planning Commission zone change committee recently recommended the approval of a zone change that would allow a developer to construct a 112-home subdivision; however, the committee added a change to the proposal that prohibits the developer from constructing a single home until the state reconstructs KY 237. That reconstruction is in the planning stages now, and construction on the project is planned to begin in 2008 at the earliest.

Area residents protested the zoning change fearing that the new subdivision would more traffic to the already congested KY 237. One area resident, Matt Anderson, established a website against the zoning change at www.237safety.com .

More information: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Rezoning hinges on highway project (Jan. 20, 2005)  , (Covington) Kentucky Post: Subdivision decision postponed (Feb. 1, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Patch It” hotline is up and running at 1-800-PATCH-IT (1-800-728-2448). Motorists can use this number to report pot holes or other problems on any state maintained highway. Callers to the hotline should be ready to describe the pothole’s location, including the number of the highway and either a mile marker or landmark near the location of the pothole. Formerly, the hotline was only available during the pothole season—February 1 to May 1; however, the cabinet will now operate the line year round.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Patch it” toll free line up and running (Jan. 20, 2005) , Associated Press: Transportation Cabinet Opens Pothole Hotline (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The final environmental impact statement for the preferred route of I-69 east of Henderson is expected this summer. The United Stated Department of Transportation will likely issue a record of decision on the route 60 to 90 days after the report’s release. The proposed route would begin at I-164 in Indiana, cross the Ohio River east of US 41, and cross the Audubon Parkway before joining the Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson: Henderson Gleaner: I-69 decision likely this summer (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The Green River Area Development District’s regional transportation committee gave unanimous support for the undertaking of a federally funded study to determine the cost of reconstructing the Audubon Parkway as a spur route from the proposed Interstate 69 east of Henderson. The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce believes that an interstate designation for the parkway would make Owensboro more attractive to industrial developers.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: Owensboro pushing to make Audubon Parkway into I-69 spur (Jan. 20, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: GRADD committee endorses Audubon Parkway study (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The cities of Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana may co-operate on a project to convert the abandoned Big Four railroad bridge to a pedestrian walkway according to Jeffersonville Mayor Rob Waiz: Courier-Journal: Louisville, Jeff may join forces on Big Four funds (Jan. 19, 2005)