Shelby County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently awarded a contract to widen five miles of I-64 in Shelby County. Work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011: Louisville Courier-Journal: Contract awarded to widen I-64 in Shelby County (Nov. 9, 2009) 

During a recent visit to Louisvlle, Gov. Steve Beshear updated the status of a number of road projects in the area. These include:

• The construction of an interchange between KY 1447 Westport Road and I-264 Watterson Expressway.
• Widening of I-64 from I-265 Gene Snyder Freeway to Exit 28 in Shelby County.
• Median cable barrier installation along I-65.
• Reconstruction of a ramp at the interchange between I-64 and I-264 Shawnee Expressway west of downtown.
• Pavement repairs along various stretches of interstate.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Beshear recaps road projects in Louisville area; $200M in work started or planned (Sept. 18, 2009) 

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) 

Traffic improvements are on the way for Shelbyville and Shelby County. Contracts for the construction of a new by-pass around the city are expected to be let this month, and a project to widen I-64 through the county is expected to begin in 2007: Shelbyville Sentinel News: By-pass bids set for fall, interstate work in 2007 (July 6, 2005) 

This week, Shelby County officials got their first look at plans to widen I-64 to six lanes through the county. Work is expected to start in 2007 to widen I-64 from the Gene Snyder Freeway (Interstate 265/KY 841) in Jefferson County to mile marker 35 in Shelby County. The work will begin at the Gene Snyder Freeway and progress eastwards in four mile sections. The project should be completed by 2011.

More information: Shelby County Sentinel News: Officials get first look at I-64 widening plan (March 23, 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) 

Wrecks caused backups on I-71 and I-24 and summary of snow response statewide: Associated Press: Winter storm coats parts of Kentucky with snow, ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Summary of snow response in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Kentucky and Ohio counties declare weather emergencies (Dec. 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Now, time to dig out (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Snow response in the Glasgow area: Glasgow Daily Times: Winter storm hits Kentucky (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Motorists became stranded on part of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway near Hopkinsville: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Storm paralyzes region (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher has declared a state of emergency in the following counties and cities: McLean, Hancock, Livingston, Hopkins, City of Providence, City of Owensboro, City of Falmouth, City of Butler, Todd, Daviess, Crittenden, Carlisle, Shelby, Muhlenberg, Pendleton, Bullitt and Grayson: WAVE 3: Governor Ernie Fletcher's Office Declares State of Emergency (Dec. 23, 2004) 

I-64 in Indiana remains closed between Evansville and the Illinois state line. The National Guard has been rescuing stranded motorists along the interstate: Associated Press: Guardsmen Rescuing Travelers Stranded On Southern Indiana Highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Stranded travelers recall cold night on snowbound highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Snow Storm Snarls Much Of Southern, Central Indiana (Dec. 23, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana National Guardsmen rescue stranded motorists from Interstate 64 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Current Conditions

Information regarding conditions on Kentucky’s highway can be obtained by calling 1-800-RDREPORT, by calling 511 from an in-state telephone, or by visiting ww.511.ky.gov .

Maps of roads that will be cleared by the state government can be found at: www.kytc.state.ky.us/maintenance/Snow_Ice.htm .

For about 18 hours motorists on I-64 could see that Shelby County claims to be the “American Saddlebred Capital of the World;” however, just 18 hours after the county road department installed the sign the state department of highways ordered the signs removed. Federal officials have established stringent rules governing the types of signs that can be installed along interstates, and the Saddlebred Capital signs ran afoul of those rules.

The signs will remain along other highways, including US 60.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: Signs go up, then signs come down (Dec. 22, 2004) 

In October the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began testing the Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) program in I-75 in Laurel County and I-64 in Franklin County and Shelby County. The SAFE program operates cargo vans over the highways and helps motorists with highway emergencies ranging from flat tires to running out of gas. When a SAFE driver aids a motorist, the motorist is given a comment card to return via mail; the comments so far have been overwhelmingly positive.

More information: Corbin Times-Tribune: The traveler's friend (Nov. 19, 2004) , Shelbyville Sentinel News: New program offers help for interstate breakdowns (Dec. 1, 2004) 

At a recent public meeting, residents of LaGrange were able to show their support for one of the five plans to improve traffic flow in the city’s downtown. The changes are due, in part, to plans by CSX to renovate the railroad tracks that run down Main Street: Oldham County Era: Traffic proposals presented to residents (Oct. 22, 2004) 

Shelbyville, Shelby County, and state officials are preparing plans for dealing with alternate routes during emergency closures along I-64. In the past, such closures have resulted in clogged traffic along US 60.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel News: Officials hammer out plan for I-64 disruption (Sept. 8, 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) 

Work on constructing a new bypass around Shelbyville has been delayed. Ground breaking was originally planned for this year; however, right of way purchase has not yet been completed. If the transportation cabinet can afford it, ground breaking will begin next year. The new bypass will connect the KY 55-US 60 intersection to KY 55 north of Shelbyville.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel News: Bypass won't go until next year -- maybe later (April 2, 2004) 

Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bailey told state legislators on Wednesday that no projects were cut from this year's version of the Six Year Highway plan; however, some projects have delayed due to the states budget problems.

The list of projects is too long to list here; however, some notable projects are listed below.

• $118 million for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Some of this money will be raised by selling bonds that would be repaid when promised federal funding is allocated for the project.
• $78 million for reconstruction of the Owensboro bypass to the east of its current alignment. This is meant to improve access to the William H. Natcher Bridge.
• Widening of I-64 from Louisville to Shelbyville.
• Widening of I-65 from the Tennessee State Line to Bowling Green.
• Widening of I-75 in Scott and Grant counties.
• Southern extensions of both the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway and the William H. Natcher Parwkay.

A notable absence from the list is funding for replacing the I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River; however, the project remains on the unscheduled needs list and officials claim that it is still a priority. Construction on the project is still over a decade away.

This year the transportation cabinet has split the list into projects that will receive federal funding and projects that will not receive federal funding. Projects that will be funded only by the state are expected to be delayed and will be prioritized by need.

Update (Feb. 29, 2004): More information about projects in particular areas can be found here.

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After complaints over the unsightliness of the county's thoroughfares, Transportation Cabinet District 12 employees will help accompany county prisoners picking up litter along I-64 and other litter "hot spots" in Shelby County.

The article from the Shelbyville Sentinel-News includes some interesting tidbits about how the carcasses of dead animals are disposed. In the past crews have disposed of as many as twelve deer along I-64 in a single day. Deer are usually buried in the spot they are found, and smaller animals are removed to location in the median of I-64 near Frankfort were the carcasses are buried.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: State will help with county litter (Feb. 13, 2004) 

The University of Kentucky-based Kentucky Transportation Research Center is conducting a study of a system to provide drivers with up-to-the-minute information about traffic conditions through work zones on I-64 between Louisville and Lexington: KYTC Press Release: TIPS Helps Motorists Get through Highway Work Zones (Aug. 25, 2003) 

A state historical marker along KY 55 near the location Shelby County's first settlement, Painted Stone Camp, has been returned. The sign was removed when KY 55 was widened in 1996 and has been stored in a Transportation Cabinet garage since then.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: After six years, historical sign returns home (July 30, 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 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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be closing several rest areas and opening a few new ones over the next few years. Two rest areas on I-64 in Shelby County, three rest areas on I-65 in Warren County and Hart County, and two rest areas on I-75 in Madison County will soon be or have already been closed; however, Kentucky is planning to build two new rest areas on I-65 in Hart County, and a one large rest area to serve both northbound and southbound traffic will be built on I-75 in Madison County. The new Madison County rest area will have parking for 400 cars, 100 trucks, and 13 oversized vehicles.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kentucky will spend millions to open new rest stops (Aug. 31, 2002) 

The article also briefly mentions the rest area on the Mountain Parkway and the service area on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Professional Services has posted several procurement bulletins . Even if you aren't a contractor, these bulletins are useful for learning about upcoming road projects. Recent bulletins include:

• preliminary design of a new interchange near mile 27 on the Daniel Boone Parkway ,
• widening of Hurstbourne Parkway (KY 1747) near I-64 and US 60 in Jefferson County ,
• reconstruct KY 1848 near I-64 in Shelby County ,
• preliminary engineering for reconstructing part of KY 194 in Pike County ,
• design for US 641 relocation in Crittenden and Lyon county ,
• design for US 60 widening in Ballard and McCracken county ,
• scoping study for the proposed Heartland Parkway ,
• bridge replacement on KY 22 in Pendleton county ,
• design for KY 1/KY 7 widening project in Carter county ,
• design of a new connector between KY 6 and the Corbin by-pass in Knox and Whitley counties ,
• and preliminary engineering of a railroad grade separation on KY 80 in Pike County .