US 31

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting on Dec. 13 to discuss plans for widening a section of US 31W north of Franklin. This is another phase of an ongoing project to widen the existing narrow roadway between Bowling Green and Franklin to modern standards and add a continuous center left turn lane.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Simpson County U.S. 31W widening project takes first steps (Dec. 15, 2022) 

The historic motel Wig Wam Village No. 2 in Cave City is under new ownership and being restored to its 1937 appearance. The new owners celebrated the relighting of the motel's neon sign with an open house in April of this year.

More information: WNKY: Historic Wigwam Village No. 2 neon sign lighting and open house (April 22, 2021) , WBKO: Historic Wigwam Village No. 2 undergoing restoration, new ownership (April 23, 2021) , Historic Wig Wam Village No. 2 , Bowling Green Daily News: New owners restoring, upgrading Wigwam Village (May 9, 2021) , Bowling Green Daily News: Historic Wigwam Village celebrates restoration of iconic sign (May 3, 2021) 

On March 16, 2021, representatives from consulting group Michael Baker international, the Bowling Green-Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet conducted a virtual public meeting to discuss early planning for construction of a new interchange on I-65 in Southern Warren County. Such an interchange would fill a fourteen mile gap between the interchange at Exit 6 in Simpson County and the I-165 interchange at Exit 20 in Bowling Green. Three potential alternatives under consideration are at KY 240 (Woodburn Allen Springs Road), KY 242 (Richpond Road), or at Carter Sims Road. Improving connections with US 31W (Nashville Road) and KY 622 (Plano Road) are also being considered. Construction of any such interchange is believed to be eight to twelve years away.

More information:

• Bowling Green Daily News: Woodburn area grades best on I-65 interchange study (March 17, 2021) 
• I-65 Interchange Feasibility Study 

From Kentucky Tranportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 4 (Sept. 11, 2012):

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In a sign that the Nashville Road widening project in Bowling Green is nearing completion, road crews will soon be applying the final layer of asphalt on part of the newly widened section. From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 17, 2009:

Paving operations continue for Nashville Road

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation crews will be applying the final layer of asphalt on Nashville Road over the next couple of weeks.

Crews will continue the paving operations tonight between the Natcher Parkway and Potter Children’s Home. This work schedule will have a 6:00 pm start time and will continue until early morning. The paving will continue for the remainder of the week with at least one lane of traffic open in each direction.

All of the striping will be done once the paving is complete. Because there will be some lag time between the paving and striping, motorists should pay close attention and reduce their speed while traveling this route, especially at the intersections.

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3:

I-65 bridge rehabilitation work continues
Surface, joints being replaced on two sets of twin bridges in Hart County

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (July 14, 2009) — Work to rehabilitate two sets of twin bridges – over Green River and US 31W – continues along Interstate 65 in Hart County.

• Northbound I-65 - Traffic will be pushed down to one lane and motorists can expect long delays while work is done on the northbound bridge over US 31W at mile marker 64. This work will continue around the clock until Thursday, July 16.

• Southbound I-65 - Traffic will be pushed down to one lane and motorists can expect long delays while work is done on the southbound bridge over the Green River at mile marker 61. This work will continue around the clock until Friday, July 24.

There will be a signed detour following US 31W for wide loads during the construction work.

Motorists are asked to use extra caution and may wish to seek alternate routes during this time (US 31W/US 31E).

Travelers can log on to the 511 system at www.511.ky.gov . for additional information about roadway conditions.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 in Bowling Green reports that a Traffic Blitz will take a place along the "US 31W Safety Corridor" from February 26 to March 4. A press conference concerning this event will take place at 8:00 AM Friday February 16 at Park City Fire Department along US 31W in Park City.

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) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently announced a preferred route for the proposed reconstruction of US 31E north of Bardstown: (Bardstown) Kentucky Standard: U.S. 31E routes selected (Oct. 19, 2005) 

A project to widen a stretch of US 68/KY 80 in northern Warren County was completed this week.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: U.S. 68 opens today with additional 3 lanes (May 13, 2005) 

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The Transportation Cabinet recently released funds to complete the design of a project intended to improve safety on US 31E in Nelson County: Bardstown Kentucky Standard: Funds to be made available for U.S. 31E project (May 1, 2005) 

Construction should begin this summer to realign 14th Street in Bowling Green near Western Kentucky University. After the project is complete Center Street will end at 14th Street. The realignment is intended to improve traffic flow around WKU’s campus.

Plans for a new Southwest Corridor between Russellville Road (US 68/KY 80) and Nashville Road (US 31W) are complete, and the city will purchase right of way for the new four lane connector route beginning this year. The city of Bowling Green expects money to fund the $10.9 construction project to come form the state’s budget.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: LifeSkills site dispute ends (March 3, 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) 

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 Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Highways District 3 have released the results Traffic Safety Awareness Campaign that was conducted along US 31W in South-Central Kentucky from December 6 to December 12. The so-called safety blitz resulted in 871 traffic citations and hundreds of written warnings: Barren River Area Development District/Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3: Traffic Safety Blitz Helps to Curb Holiday Rush and Improve Safety Along US 31W Corridor (Dec. 22, 2004), Bowling Green Daily News: 31-W blitz successful (Dec. 27, 2004) 

In response to the number of accidents along the road, area residents would like to see safety improvements along US 31E between Bardstown and Louisville: WAVE 3: Residents Want Deadly Road Improved (Dec. 21, 2004) 

State and local police held a “traffic blitz” along US 31W in the hopes of improving traffic safety: Glasgow Daily Times: Holiday traffic initiative would curb fatalities along 31-W (Dec. 11, 2004) 

Consultants discuss how the new Louisville Downtown bridge will change access to I-65 and the US 31 Clark Memorial Bridge in Jeffersonville, Indiana: The (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: City faces new traffic pattern with new Ohio River Bridge (Dec. 10, 2004) 

The city of Bowling Green recently unveiled a 25 year plan for major thoroughfares through the city and surrounding county. Plans include widening most roads into the city and construction of new routes along the edges of the city including a new beltline highway.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Manager: City roads in dire need of changes (Nov. 16, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Metro status leads to needs assessment (Nov. 17, 2004) 

A repaving project along US 31W through Fort Knox in Hardin County has finished ahead of schedule: Hardin County New-Enterprise: U.S. 31W roadwork ending ahead of schedule (Nov. 4, 2004) 

US 31W has been identified as the most dangerous road in the Barren River Area Development District. In response to this, a $247,000 federal grant will be used to develop safety programs related to the highway.

More information: Franklin Favorite: U.S. 31-W targeted for attention (Oct. 14, 2004) 

In a Letter to the Editor, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division 3’s Public Information Officer Keirsten Jaggers outlines steps taken to correct a problem with traffic light timing on Nashville Road and reports that a project to widen the road to four lanes with a center turn lane is expected to begin in May 2005: Bowling Green Daily News: Road, traffic light improvements on the way (Sept. 5, 2004) 

Officials in Elizabethtown have identified a stretch of US 31W as the most accident prone street in the area: &091;Hardin County News-Enterprise: ROAD RULES: Cities ID traffic hot spots (August 24, 2004) 

The intersection of US 31W, Lincoln Trail Boulevard, and Wilson Road will be reconstructed: Hardin County News-Enterprise: Intersection plan revealed (Aug. 26, 2004) 

At a July meeting, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet presented a number of ideas for improving traffic flow in and around Bowling Green. The plans include widening portions of I-65, Scottsville Road, and Nashville Road and the construction of new highway corridors that would provided access to the Natcher Parkway and I-65: Bowling Green Daily News: Public gets look at big picture for traffic flow (July 27, 2004) 

In other Warren County news, archaeologists are conducting a study of areas along a planned extension of Veterans Memorial Way into downtown: Bowling Green Daily News: Archaeologists digging through trash to find Bowling Green history (July 27, 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) 

Over fifty photographs have been added to the site. They concern:

• The Cave-in-Rock Ferry in Crittenden County
• Bridges along KY 7, KY 30, and KY 52
• Signs from around Kentucky
• A Former Toll Bridge across the Green River
• Bridges along US 62
• An Abandoned Tunnel along US 68

Despite state budget problems, three road projects are still on track for construction this year. Paving and guardrail installation will be completed on about five miles of the US 231 reconstruction project in eastern Allen County, reconstruction of KY 101 between Chalybeate and US 31W will begin, and a bridge over Little Reedy Creek on KY 70 in Butler County will be replaced.

Kentucky receives about $500 million in federal funds for road projects each year; however, the state must provide matching funds for 20% of construction costs. These funds have been drained in recent years.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Work on three roads beginning; others in limbo (Jan. 18, 2004) 

The Kentucky Standard reports that three spots along US 31E in Nelson County are receiving attention due to a high accident rate: High Grove, Gobel Lake Curve and Hibbs Lane accounted for more than 60% of the accident reported along that US 31E north of Bardstown. US 31E through the area is a two-lane road that is much the same as it was originally constructed back in the 1920s.

The Transportation Cabinet plans to reconstruct part of the road between Nazerth and the Salt River; however, construction has been delayed due to historic sites along the route. Construction on the $100 million project is slated to begin in 2008.

One site on US 62 in Nelson County was also noted for a high accident rate.Dump Hill.

More information: (Bardstown) Kentucky Standard: Four spots becoming most dangerous roads in Nelson County (Jan. 16, 2004) 

Mount Washington is home to a bit of signing oddity: instead of the old route of US 31E being marked "Business US 31E" it is marked as "US 31EX." Photos of this oddly signed route can be found here.

The stretch of US 31W that passes the gold depository at Fort Knox will be repaved during a project scheduled to end by Dec. 1, 2004.

More information: Hardin County News-Enterprise: 31W north of Radcliff is next big cone zone (Nov. 16, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet presented several options for highways to connect the new Warren County Tri-Modal Transpark to I-65 at a public meeting on Oct. 9. Options include a new-freeway grade highway between I-65 and US 31W in northern Warren County and upgrading existing highways in the area.

More information: Bowling Green Daily-News: Public responds to interchange plan (Oct. 10, 2003) , Kentucky Trimodal Transpark 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has scheduled the following public meetings to discuss various road projects in Kentucky:

• September 29 and 30 - Study US 641 in Lyon and Caldwell Counties: KYTC Division of Planning: US 641 
• October 9 - New interchange on I-65 in northern Warren County: KYTC: I-65/US 31W Connector Public Meeting Notice 
• October 9 - New KY 6 connector for Woodbine to Corbin Bypass in Knox and Whitley Counties: KYTC: KY 6 Public Meeting Notice 
• October 21 - Study US 421 in Jackson County: KYTC Division of Planning: US 421 Meeting Announcement 
• October 23 - Eastern Nicholasville Bypass in Jessamine County: KYTC: Eastern Jessamine Public Meeting Notice 
• November 6 - Rock fall correction and flood mitigation on KY 1964 in Woodford County: KYTC: Clifton Road Public Meeting Notice 

More information: Kentucky New Era (Hopkinsville): Public invited to view proposed U.S. 641 plans (Sept. 16, 2003) , Bowling Green Daily News: Interchange Meeting Set (Sept. 26, 2003) 

The Transportation Cabinet is seeking consultants to design a 2.6-mile highway to connect I-65 to US 31W in northern Warren County as part of the Kentucky TriModal Transpark. The road could conceivably extended as part of the Bowling Green Beltline project or the I-66 project. The transportation cabinet would like to have construction start on the road within two years; however, they also expect a full environmental impact statement to be completed, which could take some time.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Transpark seeking road developers (Aug. 9, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has begun an $8.9 million project to repair the deck the US 31 Clark Memorial Bridge across the Ohio River at Louisville. Delays on the bridge have forced some drivers to seek alternate routes across the Ohio River.

More information: Associated Press: Work on Ohio River bridge draws complaints (Aug. 8, 2003) , KentuckyRoads.com: George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge Photo Gallery

Two-hundred-and-sixty-two photographs of Kentucky's roads have been added to this website. The new photo galleries include:

• Bridges of the Ohio River - Several of Kentucky's 40 bridges across the Ohio River.
• William H. Harsha Bridge Photographs - Photographs of Kentucky's first cable stayed bridge: the William H. Harsha bridge near Maysville.
• I-64 - Sherman Minton Bridge - The I-64 and US 150 bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.
• Shortway Bridge - The Old KY 1120 bridge over the Licking River between Kenton and Campbell Counties.
• I-65 - John F. Kennedy Bridge - The I-65 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• US 31 - George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) - The US 31 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• I-65 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 30 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the new section of KY 30 under construction in Laurel County.
• I-65 Warren County Construction - June 29, 2001
• I-65 Warren County Construction - May 22, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - August 15, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - July 5, 2003
• I-75 - Miscellaneous Images - Includes photographs of I-75 widening projects south of Lexington.
• William H. Natcher Bridge - October 26, 2002
• William H. Natcher Bridge - February 8, 2003
• Louisville - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 3 and KY 645 - Inez - January 3, 2003
• AA Highway - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 67 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 80 - Miscellaneous Images - Along KY 80 in Pulaski and Laurel Counties.
• KY 101 and KY 259 - Edmonson County - November 18, 2001 - A new section of KY 259 and KY 101 under construction in Edmonson County.
• US 23 - Miscellaneous Images
• US 60 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the Cumberland and Tennessee River bridges.

A few new images have been added to the KentuckyRoads.com - Miscellaneous Signs and KentuckyRoads.com - General Images galleries as well.

This Daily New article  reports that community response to an open house concerning improvements US 31W south of Bowling Green was overwhelming positive. Keirsten Jaggers, public information officer for the KYTC’s Bowling Green office said, "the biggest complaint we’ve been getting is that it’s not getting done tomorrow."

The Daily News reports in this Nov. 26, 2001 article  that the KYTC has scheduled an open house for Tuesday Nov. 27 to discuss improvements to US 31W south of Natcher Parkway in Warren County.

The Daily News reports in this article  that KYTC met with city and county leaders and local residents to discuss improvements to US 31W south of the Natcher Parkway in Bowling Green. That stretch of roads is mostly two lane and has seen considerable industrial growth in recent years resulting in congested traffic.