The northern extension of the Kentucky 32 bypass in Flemingsburg will open Friday, Nov. 7, with all lanes of the bypass opening on Nov. 9.
The opening of the new extension will also mean changes to traffic on Kentucky 57, Kentucky 11 and Kentucky 597, according to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Spokesperson Allen Blair.
Blair said beginning on Friday contractors will activate the traffic signals at the bypass and shift the barricades to route all Kentucky 57 traffic across the bypass from Kentucky 11 to Kentucky 57.
Old Kentucky 57 will also be closed at the location where it connects to Sleepy Run north of downtown Flemingsburg. Only local traffic will be allowed between Flemingsburg and the new bypass. Through traffic will be detoured across the new bypass, according to Blair.
"The closure and detour will give contractors time to tie the two roads together safely," Blair said
According to Blair, work is expected to be completed Sunday, Nov. 9, at which time the new bypass, old KY 57 and all intersections will be open and operational.
Once the bypass opens traffic will follow new patterns with Southbound traffic on Kentucky 57 from Tollesboro continuing onto the new bypass at the "Y" intersection at Sleepy Run Creek, without making any turns. Access into downtown will require a left turn, while Kentucky 57 traffic will continue south to the Kentucky 11 intersection.
Northbound traffic on Kentucky 11, coming from the hospital, will access the new bypass at the four-way stop. Turning left will take traffic toward Maysville, turning right will lead into downtown Flemingsburg and continuing straight will take traffic to Kentucky 57 toward Tollesboro.
Traffic traveling northbound on old Kentucky 57, from downtown, will reach a stop sign at the new bypass intersection. Traffic will yield to oncoming traffic and either turn left to the Kentucky 57 bypass to go to the Kentucky 11 intersection or they can turn right toward Tollesboro.
Those traveling along Kentucky 597, also known as Cherry Grove Road, will come to a two-way stop and yield to through traffic. Traffic may continue straight to the Kentucky 597/Kentucky 11 intersection, turn left to Kentucky 57 or turn right toward the Kentucky 11 intersection.
Blair said he hopes the extension will assist with some of the congestion of traffic in the downtown area of Flemingsburg.
"We have a lot of trucks coming from out of town that want to get to Kentucky 57," Blair said. "Right now, going through town is the only way to get there. With this bypass, trucks won't have to go into town."
Blair said right now, the bypass is built for speeds of 55 miles per hour. That is expected to stay the same, but will depend on the traffic flow once the bypass opens.
Construction on the bypass began in spring 2013, after being awarded to H.G. Mays. The Walker Company of Mount Sterling, also works on the project as a subcontractor.
The total amount of the project is $8.6 million, but that may change once the extra extension has been negotiated.
Blair said the project is completely funded through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and should be completed by fall. Motorists will continue to be updated as work continues.
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