Tolls are set to be lifted on the William H. Natcher Parkway and Audubon Parkway, Kentucky’s last two remaining toll roads, in the states fiscal year 2007, which begins July 1, 2006. The exact date that tolls will be lifted has yet to have been established: Lexington Herald-Leader: Last 2 Kentucky toll parkways set to be freed up (Dec. 24, 2005) 

Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire would like to see an new interstate-grade outer loop constructed around Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Haire pushes 'outer loop'; Road would connect I-69, I-66 spurs (Feb. 20, 2005) 

The final environmental impact statement for the preferred route of I-69 east of Henderson is expected this summer. The United Stated Department of Transportation will likely issue a record of decision on the route 60 to 90 days after the report’s release. The proposed route would begin at I-164 in Indiana, cross the Ohio River east of US 41, and cross the Audubon Parkway before joining the Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson: Henderson Gleaner: I-69 decision likely this summer (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The Green River Area Development District’s regional transportation committee gave unanimous support for the undertaking of a federally funded study to determine the cost of reconstructing the Audubon Parkway as a spur route from the proposed Interstate 69 east of Henderson. The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce believes that an interstate designation for the parkway would make Owensboro more attractive to industrial developers.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: Owensboro pushing to make Audubon Parkway into I-69 spur (Jan. 20, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: GRADD committee endorses Audubon Parkway study (Jan. 20, 2005) 

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce would like to see studies to determine the feasibility of upgrading to the Audubon and Natcher Parkways to Interstate spur routes. The Audubon Parkway would be a spur route off of the proposed I-69 in Henderson County, and the Natcher Parkway would be a spur route off of I-65 in Warren County.

While most of the parkway system consists of four-lane divided limited access highways, most of the parkway system does not meet modern interstate standards. Among the problems are medians that are too narrow, shoulders that are too narrow, not enough open space along the side of the highway, and overpasses that are too low. An upgrade of any parkway to Interstate standards would be an expensive undertaking.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Audubon eyed as I-69 spur (Dec. 2, 2004) 

Former Governor Louie B. Nunn (1924-2004) died of heart failure yesterday, Thursday, January 29, 2004. He was 79. Gov. Nunn is remembered, among other things, for his contribution to the state's highway system. He proposed building roads connecting the state from east-to-west; during his term as governor from 1967-1971 more toll road bonds were issued to pay for highway construction than during the previous two administrations.

During his term of office, I-65, I-71, and I-75 were completed; a total of 585 miles of interstate highways were opened; and the Audubon Parkway and Daniel Boone Parkways were approved for construction. Additionally, planning work for the Cumberland Parkway and Green River Parkway (now Natcher Parkway) began.

More information: Courier-Journal: Former governor, force in GOP, dies (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: Highlights of Nunn's Term (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: Former Gov. Louie B. Nunn dead at 79 (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: GOP pioneer Nunn dead (Jan. 30, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Nunn legacy remembered here (Jan. 30, 2004) 

In a recent speech to the Owensboro Chamber Commerce, Gov. Ernie Fletcher reiterated a campaign process to remove tolls from the Natcher and Audubon Parkways.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Fletcher pushes tech center (Jan. 23m 2004) 

An Owensboro man was injured around 1:00am Tuesday, Jan. 20 when an alternator thrown from the Kentucky 279 overpass on the Audubon Parkway crashed through his window. The Kentucky State Police Henderson Post is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call (270) 685-3927 or (270) 826-3312.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Overpass incident injures driver (Jan. 21, 2004) 

Two-hundred-and-sixty-two photographs of Kentucky's roads have been added to this website. The new photo galleries include:

• Bridges of the Ohio River - Several of Kentucky's 40 bridges across the Ohio River.
• William H. Harsha Bridge Photographs - Photographs of Kentucky's first cable stayed bridge: the William H. Harsha bridge near Maysville.
• I-64 - Sherman Minton Bridge - The I-64 and US 150 bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.
• Shortway Bridge - The Old KY 1120 bridge over the Licking River between Kenton and Campbell Counties.
• I-65 - John F. Kennedy Bridge - The I-65 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• US 31 - George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) - The US 31 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• I-65 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 30 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the new section of KY 30 under construction in Laurel County.
• I-65 Warren County Construction - June 29, 2001
• I-65 Warren County Construction - May 22, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - August 15, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - July 5, 2003
• I-75 - Miscellaneous Images - Includes photographs of I-75 widening projects south of Lexington.
• William H. Natcher Bridge - October 26, 2002
• William H. Natcher Bridge - February 8, 2003
• Louisville - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 3 and KY 645 - Inez - January 3, 2003
• AA Highway - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 67 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 80 - Miscellaneous Images - Along KY 80 in Pulaski and Laurel Counties.
• KY 101 and KY 259 - Edmonson County - November 18, 2001 - A new section of KY 259 and KY 101 under construction in Edmonson County.
• US 23 - Miscellaneous Images
• US 60 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the Cumberland and Tennessee River bridges.

A few new images have been added to the KentuckyRoads.com - Miscellaneous Signs and KentuckyRoads.com - General Images galleries as well.

The US 60 bridge over the Green River at Spottsville was struck by an Army Corps of Engineers barge at 10:30 CDT on May 29, 2003. The bridge was closed for repairs. Traffic was detoured on to the Audubon Parkway.

The Spottsville Bridge collapsed while it was under construction in 1931, killing three workers.

More information: Associated Press: Green River bridge hit by barge, closed indefinitely (May 29, 2003) , Henderson Gleaner: Bridge may be closed for two weeks (May 30, 2003)  (includes pictures)

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has named Kentucky's parkway system and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel as Kentucky's top road project. They also recognized Wendell Ford and Calvin Grayson as the state's top transportation officials.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

New signs have been (or are being placed) along the length of the Audubon Parkway. Jason Ward, of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, reports that this work is being done through a contract with The Ruth Company.

Jacob Newkirk discusses the re-signing project in this Usenet thread . He reports that many of the signs were the original signs that were installed on the parkway when it opened in the early '70s.

The Evansville Courier & Press reports in this August 7, 2001 article  that a section of the Audubon Parkway has caved in. Traffic is down to two lanes due to the collapse. The section was in the process of being repaired to prevent such collapses.