Northeast Kentucky motorists should watch for continuing work zones on several state highways over the holidays and winter months.
Construction is ongoing for major projects on KY 32 in Nicholas County, I-64 in Carter and Rowan counties, at US 23 and KY 693 intersections in Greenup County, on KY 7 in Elliott County, on US 60 and KY 2 in Carter County, on KY 1722 in Rowan County and elsewhere.
KY 32 in Nicholas County
Traffic is expected to switch onto the new KY 32 bridge at Myers in Nicholas County before Christmas, as work continues on the $3 million project to replace the aging bridge over Scrubgrass Creek. Motorists should watch for flagged traffic and traffic changes late this week or early next. Work on the bridge approaches, and demolition of the old bridge, will continue into the new year.
Interstate 64
Motorists should watch for intermittent shoulder or outside lane closures on I-64 between the Rowan-Carter county line and Boyd County this winter for roadside tree trimming and other work.
In addition, eastbound I-64 in Carter County is currently one lane at the KY 207 overpass east of Grayson. Traffic will be restricted to one lane eastbound between the 177 and 178 mile markers.
The work is part of two projects totaling about $19 million that provide pavement, drainage, guardrail and roadside upgrades to 16 miles of I-64 in Carter and Rowan counties.
KY 7 in Elliott County
Contractors rebuilding five miles of KY 7 in Elliott County between the Carter County line and Newfoundland have switched traffic onto newly-built portions of KY 7 at the KY 885 intersection and across the Hilltop area.
Motorists should expect to encounter lane shifts, as well as new driveway and county road entrances. In addition, traffic was previously shifted onto a new section of KY 7 in the Bruin area near what’s called tanker curve.
The traffic changes are part of a $26.5 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet improvement project to rebuild the KY 7 corridor north of Sandy Hook to provide a safer roadway, new bridges and easier access through Elliott County.
Greenup County Intersections
Traffic technicians expect to install new flashing yellow arrow signals beginning this week at five Greenup County intersections. Work will require flaggers to direct traffic at intersections during daytime work hours as crews shut down existing traffic signals and install new ones at the following locations, tentatively in this order:
US 23 at the U.S. Grant Bridge at Portsmouth
US 23 at KY 2 in Greenup
KY 693 (Diedrich Boulevard) at KY 1093 near Flatwoods
KY 693 at KY 1725
KY 693 at KY 1172
Work could take several days to complete, and is dependent upon weather and contractor schedules. Motorists should watch for warning signs and heed all signals from flaggers in order to safely navigate intersections during construction.
Carter County Bridges
Contractors with Frederick and May Construction are replacing the US 60 bridge over Reeves Branch in western Carter County about 3.7 miles east of the Rowan County line.
All traffic is using an adjacent on-site detour, which will continue through the winter months. Motorists should watch for that traffic change, and take it slow around the diversionary route’s curves and through the construction zone. Work is being done under a $1 million Transportation Cabinet contract.
KY 1722 at Rowan-Fleming Line
Reconstruction of KY 1722 continues at the 9-mile marker at the Rowan-Fleming line where a slip has undermined surface pavement, and the road remains closed.
It is expected to reopen this winter, but until that happens a detour has been posted that includes using KY 111 through Hillsboro in Fleming County:
Motorists on the Fleming County side of the work site needing access to KY 1722 in Rowan County or KY 801 should take KY 111 at Grange City to KY 158 east to KY 801 south.
Motorists on the Rowan County side of the work site needing access to KY 1722 in Fleming County should take KY 801 north to KY 158 to Hillsboro, then use KY 111 to return to KY 1722 at Grange City.
KY 32 in Fleming County
Motorists should watch for new traffic patterns that were established recently on KY 32 in Fleming County near Ward and Ewing elementary schools. While significant construction is complete, with turning lanes and other changes marked near the schools and at the intersection of KY 165, additional paving and other work is possible in the new year. Motorists should remain alert for construction and continuing traffic changes.
The nearly $3 million project includes widening, pavement reconstruction, addition of turn lanes and traffic safety enhancements such as reducing hills and curves to increase sight distance on the highway.
KY 1448 and AA Highway in Mason County
Work is under way on a $6 million project to widen and add turn lanes across Maple Leaf Road (KY 1448) and on an $18 million four-laning of the AA Highway west of Maysville in Mason County. However, no major traffic impacts are expected over the holidays or early winter months. Any traffic changes on those projects will be announced as construction ramps up near spring next year.
Road work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Motorists are asked to heed all warning signs, slow down in work zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment when traveling.
(story provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)
