Rowan County

Drone footage shows the chaos which ensued when a new "mini-roundabout" opened at the intersection of US 60 and KY 801 near the community of Farmers at the Bath and Rowan County Line. Numerous vehicles are shown driving on the left approach and traversing the roundabout in a clockwise direction.

Additional information:

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 9: Construction Under Way on US 60 'Mini-Roundabout' at Farmers Near Bath-Rowan Line (April 5, 2021) 
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Roundabouts (retrieved April 26, 2021) 
• The Drive: Chaos Erupts Immediately After Northeast Kentucky Gets Its First Roundabout (April 26, 2021) 

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 9:

Adopt-a-Highway groups poised to ‘summer scrub’ roadsides, help preserve scenic beauty of the commonwealth
Spring Clean Week in northeast Kentucky is June 6-12

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Volunteers will be out in force soon to “summer scrub” state highways throughout Kentucky. The Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced that the Adopt-a-Highway Summer Scrub Week will be held June 6-12.

“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet appreciates the efforts of our Adopt-a-Highway volunteers who help keep our highways and communities beautiful and litter-free,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said.

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A project to reconstruct part of KY 32 in Rowan County is nearly half completed: Morehead News: KY 32 widening project nearly half finished (Oct. 25, 2005) 

At a recent citizens advisory board meeting, a route that would widen KY 32 between Sandy Hook and Morehead was chosen as the preferred alternative for a proposed extension of KY 645 from US 23 to I-64.

More information: Morehead News: Proposed KY 645 widens KY 32 east; adds interchange at Rodburn area (April 1, 2005) , Ashland Daily Independent: Ky. 645 debates continue (April 3, 2005) 

The Ashland Daily Independent reports that Carter County officials have high hopes for the proposed KY 645 extension following recent public meetings. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is working to complete a feasibility study to determine if KY 645 should be extended from its current terminus at US 23 to I-64 near Morehead.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Hopes high for Ky. 645 meeting (Dec. 17, 2004) , Morehead News: Second hearing held on KY 645 extension (Dec. 21, 2004) 

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Nov. 29 through Dec. 16 the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding a series of the public meetings to discuss constructing a new route from the current terminus of KY 645 at US 23 near Ulysses in Lawrence County to I-64 between Morehead and the Industrial Parkway: 12-115.00 

The cabinet will also hold a public meeting on December 9 to discuss the reconstruction of KY 536 in Kenton County: 6-162.00 

Another meeting will be held on December 16 to discuss a proposed bypass of Columbia: 8-159.00 

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) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

• Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information ]
• David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information ]
• Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information ]
• Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information ]
• Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information ]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) , Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) , Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) 

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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Public reaction to extending KY 645 from US 23 near Ulysses west to I-64 is mixed. Some claim it will cause environment havoc; others say it will improve the local economy.

More information: Daily Independent: Public speaks on 645 (June 6, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be repairng a collapsing embankment on I-64 near the Carter and Rowan County line. The project is expected to take 6 weeks to complete, and traffic will be down to one lane in each direction.

More information: Daily Independent: I-64 work will divert traffic (Feb. 17, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released the I-64 Strategic Improvement Plan . The plan covers possible upgrades to the entire length of Interstate 64 through the state.

The KYTC Division of Planning has posted information a planning study  concerning extending KY 645 from US 23 near Ulysses to I-64

The entire length of I-64 in Kentucky has been designated the Purple Heart Trail. The Military Order of Purple Heart has undertaken an effort to have each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico designate one of their highways to honor recipients of the Purple Heart. Kentucky will erect 24 signs designating the Purple Heart Trail: one at each of I-64's entrances to the state and signs in each county along I-64.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports in this Oct. 29, 2001 article  (no longer online) that a group calling themselves Smart Progress is attempting to block the construction of a four lane connector between I-64 and US 60 near Morehead. The group is concerned that the road is not needed and will damage a recreation area in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

The Ashland Daily Independent reported in this August 9, 2001  article that a group in Morehead plans to fight a proposed I-64 connector there. The connector would help to alleviate traffic in Morehead; however, the citizens are considered that it would adversely affect the environment.

Thanks to Sherman Cahal  for pointing out this article.