July 2006

J.M. “Mac” Yowell has recently accepted a management position with the City-County Planning Comission of Warren County. Mr. Yowell retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in December 2004 after twelve years as Kentucky’s chief state highway engineer: Bowling Green Daily News: Yowell has big plans for local roads (July 21, 2006) 

The number of designs for the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville have been narrowed to three apiece: Courier-Journal: Bridge options unveiled (July 19, 2006) , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: Downtown Bridge Design Alternatives , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: East End Bridge Design Alternatives 

Unspecified budget delays are said to be delaying the completion of a new bridge over the Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam: Marshall County Tribune-Courier: Cutbacks slow Kentucky Dam lock project (July 7, 2006) 

A project to widen I-65 from the Tennessee state line to Bowling Green is underway: Franklin Favorite: Highway project expected to take several months (June 15, 2006) 

Contractors recently began paving part of the Little Shepherd Trail on Pine Mountain in Harlan and Letcher Counties. Some local residents have expressed opposition to the state’s plan to pave the trail: Associated Press: State starts paving over primitive trail, reignites local flap (June 13, 2006) , Lexington Herald-Leader: State stirs anger by paving trail; Opponents had been told it wouldn't happen (June 14, 2006) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Demonstrators fight paving of mountain trail; Tourist Site Has A Literary History (June 16, 2006) 

A Courier-Journal article finds there is lots of hype among those trying to have I-64 removed from downtown Louisville; however, there is little supporting evidence for some of the supporters claims: Courier-Journal: I-64 removal: Fans but little proof; Riverfront plan lacks supporting studies (June 12, 2006) 

The La Grange city council was recently set to vote on a new traffic plan for downtown. The new traffic plan will eliminate a section of street running mainline railroad tracks: Courier-Journal: La Grange traffic-plan vote is Monday; Trains could quiet their blaring horns (June 2, 2006) , Courier-Journal: La Grange traffic, road changes planned; Some rail crossings downtown to close (June 13, 2006) 

The castle-style home built by the late Rex Martin near US 60 in Woodford County is being rebuilt. The Martin Castle was partially destroyed by fire in 2003. Investigators eventually ruled the file as being caused by arson.

More information: WAVE 3: Kentucky Castle Being Rebuilt (May 8, 2006) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently officiated over the ceremonial ground breaking for the next phase of the KY 80 widening project in Western Kentucky. Ground was broken for the phase of the project that will construct a new four lane highway between Murray and Mayfield: Murray Ledger & Times: Next Ky. 80 phase set to break ground Thursday (May 24, 2006) 

The state plans to install “Future I-69 Corridor” signs along sections of the Pennyrile, Western Kentucky, and Purchase Parkways: Henderson Gleaner: 'Future I-69' signs set to grace parkways (May 16, 2006) 

WPSD NewsChannel 6 follows up on investigation they conducted four years ago that looked into the deteriorating state of bridges in Western Kentucky: WPSD NewsChannel 6: Bad Bridge: A Newschannel 6 Investigation; Status of Old Bridges That Need To Be Replaced (May 12, 2006) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently took bids on widening a section of Nashville Road in Bowling Green. The project will eventually widen Nashville Road to three lanes from University Boulevard to Campbell Lane and to five lanes between Campbell Lane and the Natcher Parkway: Bowling Green Daily News: Nashville Road: Projects designed to ease traffic; Plans are under way in various phases to improve flow along busy city thoroughfare (May 11, 2006) 

An engineering firm recently unveiled designs for the pedestrian approach to the Indiana side of the Big Four Bridge. The former railroad bridge between Southern Indiana and Louisville is being converted to a pedestrian and bicycle crossing: Courier-Journal: Beginning of an end for Big Four; Designs unveiled for Ind. side of walkway (May 10, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Big Four Bridge pedway may get boost from House; Federal spending bill includes $500,000 for it (June 14, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Gradual ramp will lead up to Big Four Bridge; soft soil foils other plan (June 17, 2006) 

The state will try for a third time to have the I-65 Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River painted: Courier-Journal: Kennedy bridge looking for yet another painter (May 8, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Kennedy Bridge will just be taupe; To save money, time, 2 colors cut (June 14, 2006) , Associated Press: State Rejects Lone Bid For Kennedy Bridge Painting (June 25, 2006) , Business First of Louisville: Bridge repainting bid comes in over budget (July 21, 2006) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently awarded a contract for the first phase of the Pennyrile Parkway extension. The project will eventually extend the southern terminus of the parkway to I-24: Henderson Gleaner: State to extend Pennyrile (May 6, 2006) 

The 2006 official highway map has been released: Russellville News-Democrat & Leader: 2006 Kentucky highway map ready to hit the road (April 18, 2006) 

The interchange between I-64 and Third Street in downtown Louisville may be closed as part of Spaghetti Junction reconstruction partition of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Courier-Journal: Third Street ramp might be eliminated; River Road would gain exit (April 18, 2006) 

The Courier-Journal has posted a video of the Ohio River flowing past a barge lodged against the K&I bridge: Courier-Journal: Video: The Ohio River at the K&I Bridge (April 13, 2006 )

The railroad bridge is now operated by Norfolk Southern. At one time, it also carried automobile vehicle traffic.

Removal of the barge was delayed for some time: New Albany (Ind.) Tribune and Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Barge to enjoy holiday weekend in area; Stuck visitor to remain a few more days (May 27, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Crippled barge uprighted, moved; Fleet will push it to Mississippi (May 31, 2006) 

The historic Roebling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River at Covington may close for a year beginning in October for repainting and repair: Cincinnati Enquirer: Suspension Bridge may close for year (March 28, 2006) 

Construction work has begun on the Louisville east end bridge project. This phase of work involves the reconstruction of the current end of the Gene Snyder Freeway at US 42: Busines First of Louisville: Bridges project to begin construction activity (March 2, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Relief on way for U.S. 42-Snyder intersection; Open house to let public examine project (April 26, 2006) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Ground broken for two costly Ohio River bridges (June 20, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Dynamite work to start at U.S. 42 and Snyder (July 19, 2006)