Oldham County

Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration and CSX Transportation held a meeting last week to discuss changes required to keep the railroad 'quiet zone' in downtown La Grange: Louisville Courier-Journal: Meeting to focus on keeping ‘quiet zone’ in La Grange (Sept. 23, 2009) 

The Courier-Journal looks at how the arrival of I-71 changed the nature of Oldham County: Courier-Journal: Interstate changes nature of Oldham County (July 27, 2009) 

The Courier Journal notes that it has been ten years since 14.7-mile stretch of U.S. 42 in Oldham County was designated one of Kentucky's Scenic Highways and Byways: Louisville Courier-Journal: This week in history (Feb. 9, 2009) 

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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently held public meetings to discuss the chosen alternative for a connector between Old Henry Road at the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265) in Jefferson County and the Oldham County community of Crestwood: Courier-Journal: Old Henry Road bypass apparently set; Final hearing held on alignment plan (Nov. 22, 2005) , Oldham County New Era: Plans for Old Henry bypass move forward (Nov. 28, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has proposed rebuilding four miles of KY 22 between Crestwood to Centerfield in Oldham County: Courier-Journal: Work proposed on Ky. 22 in Oldham; Widening planned east of Crestwood (Nov. 11, 2005) 

Oldham County magistrates are considering issuing road bonds to pay for paving private roads and making them part of the county road system: Oldham Era: County explores road bond (Nov. 4, 2005) 

LaGrange continues to consider alternatives for changes to downtown traffic that will be needed after CSX makes changes to the railroad running through downtown: Courier-Journal: LaGrange will consider downtown traffic plan (July 1, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Eroding train tracks concern officials in La Grange; Railroad recently made some repairs (July 8, 2005) , Oldham County Era: Council tables CSX plan vote (July 8, 2005) , WAVE 3: LaGrange Business Owners To Lose Parking After Railroad Tracks Are Widened (Aug. 9, 2005) , Oldham Era: It's two-way traffic: La Grange City Council chooses plan for track renovations; gives right to amend (July 22, 2005) 

A nature preserve in Oldham County is planning on constructing a new type of road. The road will have absorbent shoulders to reduce runoff and be narrow and curvy to reduce speeding. The road will be constructed as an entrance to Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Oldham preserve plans new type of road; Design promises to reduce runoff (June 8, 2006) 

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) 

Engineers hired by LaGrange have released their recommendations on how to best handle traffic changes that will be caused by reconstruction of the CSX railroad through downtown: Oldham Era: Engineers give recommendation for track plan (Nov. 26, 2004) 

• A section of the Blue Grass Parkway was temporarily closed in early July due to a chemical spill: WKYT: Bluegrass Parkway Reopened Following Chemical Spill (July 12, 2004) , Associated Press: Accident closes part of Bluegrass Parkway (July 13, 2004) 
• The I-64 Sherman Minton over the Ohio River was temporarily closed in early August after being struck by a barge: Cincinnati Enquirer: I-64 bridge closed after being hit by barge (Aug. 8, 2004) 
• Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bailey gave Associated Press reporter Joe Biesk a guided tour of the Transportation Cabinet’s new headquarters: Bailey relies on military experience as transportation secretary (July 12, 2004) 
• Work continues at the US 41/US 60 interchange in Henderson: The Henderson Gleaner: Another bypass ramp closing (July 13, 2004) 
• The first phase of construction has begun an Oldham County recreation trail. The trail is being constructed on an abandoned railroad right-of-way: Courier-Journal: First phase of construction begins on Oldham walking trail (July 13, 2004) 
• Butler County officials have voted to close Aberdeen Church Road. The road was used by some residents who felt a nearby intersection of KY 79 was unsafe; however, accident data shows that the interchange is not unsafe and Butler County leaders believe the road to be closed is more dangerous: Bowling Green Daily News: Butler says road too dangerous to stay open (July 13, 2004) 
• Several projects in Pulaski County are nearing completion: WYMT Mountain News: Millions Of Dollars Are Being Spent in Road Projects in Southern KY (July 14, 2004) 
• The lack of a state budge could cause delays to a number of road projects statewide: Bowling Green Daily News: Budget: Projects may be delayed (July 14, 2004) , Danville Advocate-Messenger: Several area highway projects delayed (July 25, 2004) , Danville Advocate-Messenger: Kentucky's road projects taking bumpy path (July 26, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Stalled budget may stall road projects (July 26, 2004) , Evansville Courier-Press: Western Kentucky road projects facing delays (Aug. 2, 2004) , Evansville Courier-Press: Lawmakers expect widening of U.S. 641 to proceed, despite budget impasse (Aug. 16, 2004) 
• Impact studies related to a project to reconstruct US 31E in Bullitt, Spencer, and Nelson Counties is behind schedule: Kentucky Standard: State's U.S. 31E project behind schedule (July 14, 2004) 
• A hearing regarding Convington’s citation of CSX for allowing a railroad overpass to deteriorate was delayed so CSX could prepare a defense: Kentucky Post: Hearing on rail bridge delayed (July 15, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington wants CSX bridge fixed (July 29, 2004) 
• A resident of Oldham County is backing a campaign to rename the KY 329 Pewee Valley bypass in honor of veterans: Courier-Journal: Oldham bypass is step closer to honoring war veterans (July 16, 2004) , Oldham Era: Legion receives local support to rename bypass (July 30, 2004) 
• A new book on scenic drives will feature Powell County’s Red River Gorge National Scenic Byway among the country’s fifteen best scenic drives: Courier-Journal: Book salutes E. Kentucky scenic route (July 23, 2004) 
• The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss the possible impact of a project to reconstruction KY 55 near the Nelson and Spencer County line: Kentucky Standard: KTC meets with citizens about KY 55 project (July 23, 2004) 
• A $1 million study of I-471 suggests reconstruction of the I-471/I-275 interchange and construction of ramps at the Ohio River bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: I-471 study to include new ramps at each end (July 28, 2004) 

The Oldham Era reports that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet his recently reported its preliminary preferred alternatives for a new route connecting Old Henry Road in Jefferson County to the community of Crestwood in Oldham County. The four mile highway is expect to requite the razing of one home: Oldham Era: State chooses plan for bypass (July 9, 2004) 

More information on the project can be found on the official website for the project .

CSX’s plans to change the traffic flow at rail crossing in downtown LaGrange has brought criticism from local residents and business owners: Courier-Journal: LaGrange rail plan encounters opposition (June 11, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed Barry Sanders to serve as chief district engineer for the Transportation Cabinet’s District 5 which is based in Louisville.

More information: KYTC: Governor Ernie Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Clay Bailey Appoint Chief District Engineer for Highway District 5 in Louisville (June 1, 2004) , Business First: State Names Head of Louisville-area Transportation Operation (June 1, 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.

A pair of old and deteriorating bridges in Pewee Valley will be replaced by the city: Oldham County Era: Unsafe Pewee Valley bridges to be replaced (March 25, 2004) 

A workshop presented by The National Center for Bicycling and Walking looked at options for presenting improving pedestrian and bicycle access to LaGrange’s highways. The workshop included a muddy walking tour of KY 393.

More information: Oldham County New Era: Walkable community workshop offers insight on Ky. 393 (March 12, 2004) 

A developer who plans to build a 158-home subdivision near the KY 53 and I-71 interchange has agreed to add a new northbound lane to KY 53 on the south side of LaGrange.

More information: Courier-Journal: Developer agrees to pay to add lane on Ky. 53 (March 4, 2004) 

The Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News reports that the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) has begun work on updating the Louisville metropolitan area master transportation plan. The next version of the plan is to include all transportation projects planned up through the year 2030. The KIPDA region includes five counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana.

More information: The Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: KIPDA starts work on 2030 transportation master plan (Feb. 28, 2004) , KIPDA: Transportation Division 

Despite the lack of a final concerning the reconstruction of Old Henry Road in Jefferson and Oldham Counties, developers continue to begin construction of new projects along the road. A planning study concerning reconstruction of the route between Crestwood and Pewee Valley is expected to be complete this summer.

More information: Courier-Journal: Two proposals for Old Henry Road advance (Feb. 18, 2004) 

A cow escaped from a truck on Interstate 71 on October 16 and disrupted traffic near the Oldham County-Jefferson County line for some time before being destroyed by local officials.

More information: Courier-Journal: Cow loose on I-71 disrupts traffic, is finally captured (October 17, 2003) 

Right-of-way acquisition has recently been completed for the KY 393 widening project between KY 22 and Interstate 71 in Oldham County. This keeps construction on track to begin in 2004.

More information: Oldham County Era: Ky. 393 widening on track for 2004 (Oct. 13, 2003) 

As part of a project to replace signs along I-71 between Louisville and I-75, the transportation cabinet employees erected three signs misspelling "Pewee Valley" as "Peewee Valley." Local residents noticed and reported the error after installation. The transportation cabinet corrected the spelling on the signs.

More information: Courier-Journal: State is to correct spelling on Pewee Valley road signs (Sept. 11, 2003)  (includes a photograph of a sign with the misspelling)

Dozens of people have submitted comments on a proposal to build a new connector to route from near the Gene Snyder Freeway in Jefferson County to Crestwood in Oldham County. The new route would be four lanes and is intended to provide improved access to Pewee Valley.

More information: Courier-Journal: Dozens comment on connector road (Sept. 9, 2003) , Oldham County Era: State seeking input on Old Henry bypass (Sept. 12, 2003) 

Public meetings were held last week to discuss possible routes for a new connector route between Old Henry Old at the Gene Snyder Freeway in Jefferson County and KY 22 in Crestwood in Oldham County.

More information: Courier-Journal: Views on proposed road 2 counties are sought (Aug. 26, 2003) 

Large potholes were blamed for a series of wrecks on I-71 in Oldham County in February. One of the potholes was as large as five feet in diameter.

More information: Courier-Journal: I-71 road crews get their fill of accident-causing potholes (Feb. 26, 2003) 

The need and possible locations for a new interchange on I-71 between the Gene Snyder Freeway (Interstate 265/KY 841) and the Crestwood interchange (Exit 14) will be studied. Oldham County will contribute $10,000 to the study; the state will contribute $35,000; and Hills Communities, a Jefferson County development firm, will contribute $62,000. The interchange is being studied in the hope of relieving traffic on KY 22. No plans to build an interchange are currently in the state's Six Year Highway Plan; however, that document is amended on a bi-annual basis.

More information: Courier-Journal: Need for new interchange will be studied (Jun. 13, 2002) 

The Courier-Journal reports in this Sept. 12, 2001 article  that a new La Grange bypass is being studied.