The westbound lanes of the Mountain Parkway have been closed indefinitely at milepost 35.8 in Powell County, just west of the Wolfe County line, due to the collapse of the roadbed beneath the pavement. This location is near the Tunnel Ridge Road underpass at the top of Slade Hill.
Westbound traffic is being detoured at Exit 40 in Wolfe County onto northbound KY 15. Drivers can re-enter the Mountain Parkway at Exit 33 at Slade. Signs are in place to inform drivers of the closure. The westbound lanes of the parkway are blocked at Exit 40 at Pine Ridge in Wolfe County.
Long-distance truck traffic from far eastern Kentucky may wish to consider alternate routes west to Lexington and points beyond. Possible alternatives include US 23 north to I-64 west at Catlettsburg, or KY 80 and the Hal Rogers Parkway west through Hazard to I-75 north at London. The KY 15 detour route involves a steep downhill grade with hairpin curves.
Eastbound traffic on the Mountain Parkway is not affected.
In addition, to accommodate truck traffic on the detour route, the southbound lane of KY 15 has been closed at milepost 2.1 in Powell County. Uphill traffic on Slade Hill will be blocked. This route is primarily used by local traffic. Drivers who typically use KY 15 between Slade and the Wolfe County line at the top of Slade Hill can use the Mountain Parkway's eastbound lanes between Exit 33 at Slade and Exit 40 at Pine Ridge.
Updates to the situation will be available on the Department of Highways District 10's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Engineers will be evaluating the area to develop a long-term solution to repair the roadbed and reopen the highway.
(provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)
