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Lexington's New Northwest Connector Opens

Josh James
/
WUKY

Residents on Lexington’s northwest end may want to update their routes, as the city has opened a new 2.4 mile stretch of Citation Boulevard, connecting Leestown Road to Georgetown Road.

SIRI might not know about it yet, but as of 3 pm Monday, the long-awaited connector linking the two major arteries is open to traffic. At a press conference, officials joked about the fabled $25 million dollar project’s more than two decades of delays.

"When this project was deferred to the south end of Lexington to Reynolds Road, I had a full head of hair and it was all black," Former Urban County Council member George Brown quipped.

But now that the lines are painted and traffic signals are in place, nearby residents say it’s going to save on gas.

"This is wonderful because I have to go to London a couple times a week, so now I can cut right through here and get on 75, no problem," Tayna Tyler says. "I don't have to face the traffic downtown and my dog and I are going to be able to take a nice long walk and go to the Legacy Trail."

When she takes those walks, officials also hope she’ll stroll past a new string of businesses as road spurs more economic development on Leestown past New Circle.

"It's pretty bleak when it comes to commercial development, so we're all hoping for restaurants, gas stations, dry cleaners, all of that to provide jobs and services to thousands and thousands of residents outside the circle," says 2nd District Urban County Council member Shevawn Akers.

The vast majority of funding came from the state, which is also footing most of the bill for the ongoing Leestown Road expansion. Drivers can expect that construction to wrap up in December.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.