New cable barrier will come to 18 miles of I-64 in Boyd and Rowan counties this year, with work beginning next week between Ashland’s interstate exits.
Cable barrier, which uses a high-tension fence of continuous steel cables to help prevent vehicles from crossing the median into opposing traffic, is a safety device often used on interstates and divided highways to reduce the severity of crashes.
As part of two $3 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet projects, cables will be installed along the I-64 median in two areas:
•Boyd County: From mile marker 181.6 near Ashland-Coalton exit 181 to mile marker 191 near Ashland-Catlettsburg exit 191 and the West Virginia state line.
•Rowan County: From mile marker 129 near the Bath County line to mile marker 137 at the Morehead exit.
Contractors are scheduled to start work in Boyd County next week, the week of April 20, on both eastbound and westbound I-64. The left lane (fast lane) will be closed daily through April, May and early June in locations where crews are working to install concrete pads, anchor posts and cables.
The work zone could shift week to week. Motorists should expect speed limit changes, merging traffic and delays approximately 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each weekday. There will be no lane closures at night or when crews are not working. Work areas will be double fine zones.
Installation of new cable barrier in Rowan County is expected to start by mid-June and continue through August.
Work is being done under two low-bid Transportation Cabinet contracts awarded to George B. Stone Company, LLC, for a total of $3,071,715.25.
Once the project is complete, protective cable barrier will be in place at median areas along 62 miles of I-64 in Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 from the Bath-Rowan county line to the West Virginia state line.
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 Transportation Cabinet)
