Motorists should watch for lane closures and increased traffic restrictions along KY 32 in Rowan County in the coming days as work ramps up at two Morehead intersections that are among the region’s highest crash rate locations.
Improvements include right turn lanes on KY 32 at the Fraley Drive-Pinecrest intersection just east of the I-64 interchange as well as lane separator curbs there and at KY 32 at West Main Street in downtown Morehead.
Lane separator curb is composed of individual reflective posts made of plastic or other flexible materials bolted to the pavement. It’s designed to prevent conflicting traffic movements, and thereby reduce crashes.
Over the next few weeks, motorists should watch for daily lane closures, possible flagged traffic, and delays at each location for the following work:
KY 32 at Fraley Drive-Pinecrest: Roadway shoulder improvements and striping to create a right-turn lane into Fraley Drive as vehicles approach from Morehead direction; and shoulder work and striping to create a right-turn lane into Pinecrest as vehicles approach from the interstate; and installation of lane separator curb in the center of KY 32 between Fraley Drive and the I-64 ramps to prevent vehicles from turning across other lanes of traffic. (Left turn lanes to Fraley or Pinecrest will be unaffected.)
KY 32 at West Main Street: Install lane separator curb in the center of KY 32 both west and east of the West Main Street intersection to prevent vehicles from turning across other lanes of traffic. (Left turn lanes to West Main or alleys unaffected.)
The work is part of a $393,452 state project using federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) dollars. For the project, state highway engineers surveyed locations with the highest number of crashes in Kentucky Department of Highways District 9’s 10-county northeast Kentucky region, then designed changes that could create safer traffic flow and reduce future crashes.
The Transportation Cabinet awarded a low-bid contract to Bluegrass Contracting LLC of Lexington for work at the two Morehead intersections, and four additional locations in Boyd and Greenup counties. Project completion date is Oct. 31.
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.
(provided by Kentucky Department of Highways, District 9)
