In an effort to make holiday travel a little smoother for Kentuckians, the state Transportation Cabinet is suspending construction on most major roadways in the state.
Despite the plans to pull back on the road work, officials are still cautioning drivers to be alert for lane closures in many locations. In a statement, the cabinet says motorists could still encounter delays along north and southbound I-65 as the road will remain two lanes instead of three between Ky. 61 and the Bullitt-Jefferson county line.
A number of other projects across the state could slow traffic. A list is below:
· U.S. 127- Louie B. Nunn-Cumberland Parkway, Russell County – The speed limit is reduced near the interchange project. U.S. 127 is 35 mph and the parkway is 55 mph through this project.
· U.S. 42, Jefferson County – Reduced to one lane at the bridge over Beargrass Creek where East Main Street becomes Mellwood Avenue (mile point 0.2) due to bridge replacement. The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph in the work zone.
· KY 61, Bullitt County –Construction delays possible from Hillbrook Drive to just north of John Harper Highway (mile point 17.8 to 19.3) due to roadway widening and realignment. Traffic is being detoured onto a portion of the new roadway between Bells Mill Road and Hillbrook Drive.
· Interstate 71, Oldham County – Lane closures and delays possible in both directions between mile points 22 and 20 due to construction of a bridge over the interstate. Lane closures are possible evenings from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning. The speed limit in the work zone is reduced to 60 mph.
· KY 114, Magoffin and Morgan counties– Guardrail end treatment replacement project underway on the Mountain Parkway Extension and U.S. 460 in Magoffin and Morgan counties. Possible lane or shoulder closures in the work zone.
· Eggners Ferry Bridge, Marshall and Trigg counties– The U.S. 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge will be closed starting promptly at 9 p.m. CST, Tuesday, Dec. 23, for an overnight closure. The bridge is expected to reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. CST Wednesday morning. There will be a marked detour between Cadiz and Aurora via Interstate 24 and the Purchase Parkway.
· Downtown Crossing, Jefferson County – No new interstate or ramp closures related to the Downtown Crossing are scheduled Dec. 22-Jan. 4. Long-term lane restrictions and closures will, however, remain in place. Travelers can find a list of continuing closures on the latest Look Ahead advisory, http://kyinbridges.com/downtown-crossing/get-around/traffic-updates/.
· KY 1972, Garrard County – Bridges over Gilbert’s Creek at mile point 1.76 and over Branch of Gilbert’s Creek at mile point 2.1 are reduced to one lane. A 3-ton weight limit is in place for both bridges. Motorists can use KY 52 as an alternate route.
· U.S. 60, Rowan County– All U.S. 60 traffic on May Road near Hayes Crossing, has been shifted north onto a temporary diversion route adjacent to a bridge as work to replace it takes place.
· KY 7, Elliott County– Five miles of KY 7 is being rebuilt from just north of KY 706 to the Elliott-Carter county line. Motorists should expect possible lane closures and lane shifts. Motorists should also expect rough pavement on existing KY 7 in some areas, especially near Hilltop.
· I-69/Pennyrile Parkway Interchange, Hopkins County – Travelers restricted to one lane for northbound and southbound traffic along the Pennyrile Parkway.
· KY 15, Breathitt County– Possible delays due to a rockfall mitigation project on an adjacent highway.
