From Department of Highways District 6:

US 27 widening project entering new phase in Campbell County
$26.5 million project funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

COVINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2009) – The widening of US 27 in Campbell County is about to enter a new phase – construction of a 2.4-mile section from Racetrack Road (KY 824) to just south of Nagle Road.

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State Rep. Paul Marcotte, R-Union, has proposed building a toll road to connect several communities in southern Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Toll road on horizon? (Dec. 20, 2005) 

Ownership of the “Purple People Bridge” is closer to being transferred to a not-for-profit organization. The Newport city council recently voted to accept ownership of the bridge from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and to transfer ownership of the bridge to the not-for-profit Newport Southbank Bridge Company.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge closer to transfer; Commissioners take first vote on turning over ownership of Purple People Bridge (Nov. 2, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet expected to open the state’s first roadway constructed on a foam base ahead of schedule. A one-mile section of KY 8 along the bank of the Ohio River in Campbell County is being reconstructed in attempt to prevent problems with cracking and slipping of the road.

More information: Kentucky Post: Geofoam roadway to open in weeks (Oct. 24, 2005) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer profiles the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, one of the planning agencies behind major highway projects in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: Cincinnati Enquirer: All major roads eventually lead to OKI; Group heavily involved in local highways (Oct. 13, 2005) 

A not-for-profit organization has raised and spent thousands of dollars to beautify the former L&N Bridge over the Ohio River at Newport; however, plans to transfer ownership of the bridge to Southbank Partners have been delayed. Part of the bridge—the former railroad tracks—is still owned by L&N’s successor corporation CSX Transportation. The road portion of the bridge has been converted to a pedestrian walkway and is owned by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Questions over who will pay for the upkeep of parts of the structure have lead to the delay in transferring the state owned portion of the bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Span's ownership remains with state; Public-private transfer delayed (Sept. 16, 2005) 

A new traffic study may eventually lead to improvements to I-471. The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments recently approved a $750,000 study of the region’s “Southeast Corridor.”

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Study could help unclog I-471; OKI authorizes look at 'southeast corridor' in Campbell County (June 10, 2005) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer has provided a list of on-going road construction projects in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties: Cincinnati Enquirer: N.Ky. roads: Construction project updates (June 6, 2005) 

Last week the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Driver Safety held “Operation Drive Smart Blitz” along the AA Highway: Maysville Ledger Idependent: Campaign to enforce traffic safety on the AA Highway coming May 8-14: Operation Drive Smart Blitz (May 4, 2005) , Cincinnati Enquirer: AA Hwy. patrols beefed up (May 8, 2005) , Ashland Daily Independent: State pushes drive smart on A-A (May 12, 2005) 

New welcome signs have been installed on interstates across the state. The Cincinnati Enquirer has a photograph of sign installation on the Combs-Hehl Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: New welcome signs going up; Crews install them at 11 expressway gateways (April 6, 2005) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has approved a $3 million study to determine the feasibility of an extension of KY 9 (the AA Highway) into downtown Newport: Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport closer to link to AA Highway (March 15, 2005) 

Work to repair a section of KY 8 in Campbell County that has slowly been sliding into the Ohio River will close the road for at least a year: Kentucky Post: Landslide closes part of Ky. 8 (March 14, 2005) 

Representatives of the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments have been in Washington this week to lobby for money to study possible upgrades to I-471 in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Planners: Upgrade I-471 (Feb. 7, 2005) 

A proposed extension of KY 9 (the AA Highway) into Newport along the Licking River is seen as a way to relieve congestion from I-71, I-275, and I-471: Cincinnati Enquirer: Ky. 9 revamp could ease jams (Feb. 1, 2005) 

As of 1:00pm Eastern Time today, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Operations Center reports that the following roads are closed due to high water or rock slides:

Boone County: KY 20 (milepost 2 to 4); KY 1292 (milepost 2.50 because of a rock slide); KY 2852 (milepost 0 to 1)

Butler County: KY 403 (milepost 4 to 5)

Campbell County: KY 10 (milepost 10.60 because of a rock slide); KY 1566 (milepost 0 to 1.81); KY 1936 (milepost 1.20 because of a rock slide); KY 2921 (milepost 0 to 0.68); KY 2924 (milepost 1.70 because of a rock slide)

Carlisle County: KY 1628 (milepost 3 to 4); KY 1820 (milepost 2 to 3)

Fulton County: KY 1129 (milepost 0 to 9.64); KY 1354 (milepost 0 to 0.40)

Hancock County: KY 334 (milepost 18 to 19)

Henderson County: KY 136 (milepost 0 to 7); KY 268 (milepost 6 to 7); KY 414 (milepost 0 to 0.84); KY 811 (milepost 3 to 6); KY 3522 (milepost 0 to 0.39)

Hickman County: KY 123 (milepost 14 to 16)

Union County: KY 667 (milepost 0 to 16.54); KY 1452 (milepost 0 to 1.98); KY 1637 (milepost 0 to 2.96); KY 130 (milepost 16 to 16.02); KY 668 (milepost 0 to 1); KY 871 (milepost 3 to 6); KY 1508 (milepost 3 to 6)

Up-to-date road conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov 

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: More roads through out Kentucky shut down because of high water, rock slides (Jan. 10, 2005) 

Roundabouts are proposed for several intersections in Northern Kentucky, and in order to help drivers adjust the Northern Kentucky Planning Commission is sponsoring a Roundabout Workshop this evening: Cincinnati Enquirer: N.Ky. faces learning curve on roundabouts (Jan. 9, 2005) 

A rise in the scrap metal prices is believed to be behind an increase in the number of incidents of manhole cover theft: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Manhole covers disappearing; Thefts may be tied to high resell (Dec. 25, 2004) 

Wrecks caused backups on I-71 and I-24 and summary of snow response statewide: Associated Press: Winter storm coats parts of Kentucky with snow, ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Summary of snow response in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Kentucky and Ohio counties declare weather emergencies (Dec. 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Now, time to dig out (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Snow response in the Glasgow area: Glasgow Daily Times: Winter storm hits Kentucky (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Motorists became stranded on part of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway near Hopkinsville: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Storm paralyzes region (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher has declared a state of emergency in the following counties and cities: McLean, Hancock, Livingston, Hopkins, City of Providence, City of Owensboro, City of Falmouth, City of Butler, Todd, Daviess, Crittenden, Carlisle, Shelby, Muhlenberg, Pendleton, Bullitt and Grayson: WAVE 3: Governor Ernie Fletcher's Office Declares State of Emergency (Dec. 23, 2004) 

I-64 in Indiana remains closed between Evansville and the Illinois state line. The National Guard has been rescuing stranded motorists along the interstate: Associated Press: Guardsmen Rescuing Travelers Stranded On Southern Indiana Highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Stranded travelers recall cold night on snowbound highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Snow Storm Snarls Much Of Southern, Central Indiana (Dec. 23, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana National Guardsmen rescue stranded motorists from Interstate 64 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Current Conditions

Information regarding conditions on Kentucky’s highway can be obtained by calling 1-800-RDREPORT, by calling 511 from an in-state telephone, or by visiting ww.511.ky.gov .

Maps of roads that will be cleared by the state government can be found at: www.kytc.state.ky.us/maintenance/Snow_Ice.htm .

The Henderson Gleaner reports that the 511 traffic information system fails to provide information about the hazardous conditions in the Henderson area: Henderson Gleaner: Road hotline fails this area (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The interstates are open, but many secondary roads are impassible in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Paralyzing storm shuts down travel (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Road clearing was suspended overnight in parts of Western Kentucky due to blizzard like conditions, and four stopped tractor trailers blocked traffic on I-71 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Parts of Kentucky at near standstill (Dec. 23, 2004) 

A series of traffic accidents has caused long delays on I-24 in Western Kentucky. Motorists are asked not to call emergency services unless they are in immediate need of police, fire, or medical assistance: Associated Press: Wrecks tie up Interstate 24 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Forty members of the Kentucky National Guard were activated overnight and used military tow trucks and Humvees to rescue stranded motorists. Some cars stopped along I-24 due to accidents were caught in snow drifts: Courier-Journal: Storm limits transportation options (Dec. 23, 2004) 

More information: WAVE 3: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky is wet and cold (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet posts regularly updated traffic advisories to www.511.ky.gov . You can also obtain Kentucky traffic information by calling 1-800-RDREPORT or by dialing 511 from any cell phone.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation Study the development of a new travel corridor between downtown Cincinnati and its eastern suburbs could ease congestion in Northern Kentucky: Cincinnati Post: Eastern transit needs studied (Dec. 9, 2004) , The Eastern Corridor PE/EIS Project Web Site 

Work has begun on constructing a new 3.9-mile section of US 27 in Campbell County: Cincinnati Enquirer: Widening needed, reaction cool (Nov. 5, 2004) 

Despite the reopening of the 10th Street bridge in Newport, local business owners say lingering construction equipment and detour signs are hurting their businesses: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge work hurts shops (Oct. 28, 2004) 

The city of Cold Spring in Campbell County has announced a 25-year plan to rebuild all city-maintained streets. The city was founded in 1941, and most of its streets are 25 to 30 years old.

More information: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Cold Spring to rebuild streets (Oct. 19, 2004) 

The reopening of the 10th Street bridge in Newport has caused traffic to return to streets that had been quiet since the bridge closed fro repairs in the spring: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge opens way for accelerated traffic: Residents (Oct. 19, 2004) , (Covington) Kentucky Post: Newport bridge opens after repairs (Oct. 19, 2004) 

A project to replace a bridge over Owl Creek will force the 55 day closure of part of East Alexandria Pike in Campbell County: Kentucky Post: Bridge project to close part of Ky. 2925 (Aug. 31, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

• Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information ]
• David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information ]
• Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information ]
• Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information ]
• Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information ]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) , Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) , Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet recently showed off its news “war room” to the media. The room in the cabinet’s new Frankfort offices allow officials to monitor road conditions around the state—including live video from Louisville, Northern Kentucky, and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel: Courier-Journal: High-tech operations center will aid emergency response (June 22, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Transportation base gets high-tech upgrade (June 22, 2004) 

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge on I-471 (known by locals as the “Big Mac” bridge) is receiving a fresh coat of paint, and the work is delaying traffic: Kentucky Post: Bridge painting causes delays (June 14, 2004) 

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky leaders continue to lobby for the replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge: Kentucky Post: Bridge replacement touted as national priority (April 22, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Plea made for new I-75 bridge (April 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan calls for $15M (April 29, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Voinovich wants $15M for bridge (April 30, 2004) 

No state budget was passed, so there is no state road plan: Franklin Favorite: Area legislators predict state will have a budget (April 22, 2004) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: No budget means no road plan (April 25, 2004) 

Jim Reis recognizes the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for its work in securing money to replace the Shortway Bridge: Kentucky Post: A century of boosting business (April 26, 2004) 

Meetings on I-71 widening in Jefferson County bring a variety of opinions: Courier-Journal: Meetings on I-71 plans draw strong opinions (April 28, 2004) 

The Governor has signed a bill to expand the authority of the Buffalo Trace covered bridge authority: Maysville Ledger Independent: Denham sponsored bills signed by governor (April 28, 2004)  Public meetings must now be held before the state does any work to the area’s covered bridges.

A project to widen US 231 in Indiana from the Natcher Bridge to I-64 has begun: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Project to 4-lane U.S. 231 begins (April 29, 2004)  The first five mile segment should be complete in 2 years.

P rospect residents are worried about an intersection on US 42: Oldham Era: Prospect residents seek help with U.S. 42 intersection (April 30, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss a new I-65 connector in northern Warren County: Bowling Green Daily News: Road options for transpark shown (April 30, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet was recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for its work in protecting the Eggbert’s Sunflower: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Protects Endangered Eggert's Sunflower (May 3, 2004) 

Repairs were made to I-65 near mile marker 30 to correct a drainage problem: Bowling Green Daily News: Dangerous I-65 spot seeing changes (May 6, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Speedy repairs on interstate are appreciated (May 8, 2004) 

The new US 23 over the Ohio River at South Shore is running “woefully behind:” Ashland Daily Independent: ODOT - Bridge project 'woefully behind' (May 13, 2004)  The new U.S. Grant Bridge is scheduled to open in 2005.

The 10th Street railroad bridge in Newport has closed to traffic for perhaps six months. The railroad overpass will be removed and replaced with a new span.

More information: Kentucky Post: Bridge to close April 19 (Apr. 2, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Detours planned for bridge closing (Apr. 2, 2004) 

The L&N Bridge over the Ohio River will receive beautification improvements on the Ohio side to match the improvements on the Kentucky side. The bridge—which carried both vehicle and rail traffic when it opened in 1872—was closed to traffic in 2001. Trains last used the bridge in 1984. Today, the bridge has been painted purple and is open to pedestrian traffic; due to this it is now locally known as the “Purple People Bridge.”

More information: Cincinnati Post: Bridge beautification funded (March 25, 2004) 

One of the most highly visible road projects in Northern Kentucky this summer will be the repainting of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River on I-471. The under structure of the bridge was repainted last summer; this summer the bridge's arches will be repainted.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Fewer road projects, but they'll be highly visible (March 18, 2004) 

April 20 Update: Kentucky Post: Big Mac bridge painting begins (April 2, 2004) 

Elected leaders hope to eventually see KY 536 widened two five lanes between Rabbit Hash to the AA Highway; however, work on such a project is at least ten years away.

More information: (Northern) Kentucky Post: An east-west link; Three Counties Would be Linked by Highways (March 11, 2004) 

A section of Tenth Street in Newport between Vine Street and Monroe Avenue is scheduled to be closed beginning during the third week of March. The street is expected to be closed for six months while crews work to replace an overpass over a railroad.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Brace for 10th Street closing (Feb. 20, 2004) 

The Taylor-Southgate Bridge over the Ohio River at Covington was closed this morning after barge hit one of the bridge’s piers. There was no obvious damage to the barge nor to the bridge; however, the bridge must remain closed until inspectors can survey the bridge. There is no word on how long this process will take.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Taylor-Southgate Bridge closed (Feb. 9, 2004) 

The 2004 federal omnibus spending bill which was approved by the senate last week includes $2 million to continue funding for a study on how to replace the aging I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River and $1.5 million for a connector route between the AA Highway and I-275.

President Bush must still sign the bill.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Feds OK $2M for Brent Spence (Jan. 27, 2004) , Kentucky Post: $2M targeted to Brent Spence work (Jan. 27, 2004) 

The Cincinatti Enquirer reports the story of two mapmaker who work to develop maps traveling street-by-street: Cincinatti Enquirer: Mapmakers explore America (Dec. 2, 2003) 

Speed limits on I-471 have been raised from 55 MPH to 65 MPH. The move makes the highway.s speed limit consistent with the speed limit on I-275. This consistency is believed to make the road safer for travelers.

More information: Kentucky Post: I-471 speed limit raised to 65 mph (Dec. 9, 2003) 

The Ohio portion of the L&N Bridge, known as locally as the "Purple People Bridge," will soon received benches and other decoration. Such decorations already adorn the Kentucky portion of the bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Bridge upgrades to create park (Nov. 14, 2003) 

The last few months have seen the renaming of two parkways and the AA Highway. The Kentucky Post editorialized the situation: Kentucky Post: The name game (Sept. 17, 2003) 

Two studies are planned to determine routes for improved highways in Campbell County. A design study will begin this year to determine plans to widen KY 9 from Wilder into Newport. Another study has been funded to determine a route for a connector route between I-275 and the AA Highway. This new route would improve highway access to Northern Kentucky University.

More information: Kentucky Post: Officials hope to widen Ky. 9 (Sept. 6, 2003)  , Cincinatti Enquirer: Federal money routed to N.Ky. (Sept. 6, 2003) , Kentucky Post: Road Would Spark Tech Triangle (Sept. 6, 2003) 

The Shortway Bridge was demolished with explosives on the morning of Monday August 25. The new Licking River Girl Scout Bridge was closed during the implosion, and the Licking River was closed to river traffic for 24 hours so pieces of the bridge could be removed from the river. Steel from the bridge was collected for recycling.

Bridge implosion: Photographs from the Cincinnati Enquirer , Video from WCPO 

The bridge, which connected 11th Street in Newport with 12th Street in Covington, opened in 1914 and was originally a toll road. The state purchased the bridge in 1986. It has been closed since 2001 when it was replaced by the Licking River Girl Scout Bridge.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Shortway Bridge soon to be shorter (Aug. 22, 2003) . Kentucky Post: Bridge to close for Monday blast (Aug. 22, 2003) , Associated Press: Shortway Bridge to be imploded (Aug. 23, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Short' story to end Monday (Aug. 24, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Rush hour detours for bridge implosion (Aug. 25, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: So long, Shortway: Bridge takes dive into river history (Aug. 26, 2003) , Kentucky Post: Picking up the pieces of the Shortway (Aug. 26, 2003) 

Development of the Newport Levee has caused a considerable increase in traffic (and traffic accidents) on I-471's Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Newport. Newport city leaders are pressing to rebuild the ramps from I-471 south bound to KY 8; however, the project is not currently listed on the six year highway plan.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport traffic clogs bridge (Aug. 19, 2003) 

At 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 24, an implosion will remove the old Shortway Bridge over the Licking River between Convington and Newport. The bridge has been replaced by the new Licking Valley Girl Scouts Bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Remnants of old bridge will be imploded Aug. 24 (Aug. 9, 2003) 

The old Shortway Bridge over the Licking River between Kenton and Campbell Counties was scheduled for removal in June; no word on whether or not it was actually removed.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Shortway Bridge soon to go away (May 6, 2003) 

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad bridge over the Ohio River has been opened to pedestrian traffic. The bridge has recently been painted purple and has been dubbed the "Purple People Bridge" by local residents. Though it is closed to vehicle traffic, the Kentucky-owned bridge is officially designated as US 27C.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Purple People Bridge links Newport, downtown (April 27, 2003) , Cincinnati-Transit.net: L&N Bridge 

On Wednesday, state officials re-dedicated the AA Highway in honor of former Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. Brown was governor from 1979 to 1983 and was influential in the construction of the highway across northern Kentucky.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: A-A Highway dedicated ... again (July 24, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Take your pick: the AA, JYB or Ky. 9 (July 23, 2003) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Patton Dedicates AA Highway to former Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. (July 23, 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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released the final report for the conceptual feasibility study for the Northern Kentucky Outer Loop, and the finding is that such an outer loop is not feasible.

The proposed route would connect with I-74 in Indiana, pass into Kentucky at the Markland Dam in Gallatin County, travel east-west across Kentucky, cross the Ohio River into Ohio at the William H. Harsha bridge near Maysville, and connect with a proposed extension of I-74 in Ohio. A two-year long study of this route found that the entire route would not be financially feasible in Kentucky; however, the study found that several segments of the route would have an independent of utility. The study divided the route into six sections and assigned them the following priorities:

1. US 127 to I-75 - 15.1 miles (Owen and Grant Counties)
2. I-71 to US 127 - 6.8 miles (Gallatin/Carroll and Owen Counties)
3. I-75 to US 27 - 17.6 miles (Grant and Pendleton Counties)
4. US 27 to KY 9 - 29 miles (Pendleton, Bracken, and Mason Counties)
5. Indiana to I-71 - 7 miles (Carroll/Gallatin Counties)
6. KY 9 to Ohio - 2.9 miles (Mason County)

The study found that construction of a proposed highway (Indiana State Road 101) from I-74 in Indiana to the Markland Dam would improve the usability of the Indiana to I-71 segment of the Outer Loop.

The release of the report does not guarantee that anything will be built. Construction is dependent on future funding.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning: Proposed Interstate 74 

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The Judge Executives of Boone, Kenton, and Campbell County expressed support for casino gambling during the 14th Annual State of Northern Kentucky Addresses yesterday. The Judge Executives also expressed some support for increasing the state's gas tax. The leaders are concerned about the dwindling tax revenue being collected by Frankfort and are afraid that services will be cut if new revenue is not found. A proposed expansion of KY 237 in Hebron is named as an example of a project that is in jeopardy if new funding cannot be found.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: N.Ky. officials leaning to gambling (July 23, 2003) 

The Kentucky Post recently posted two columns from Jim Reis looking at the history of the bridges over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky:

• Kentucky Post: Long fight to bridge the Ohio; Span proposed as early as 1842 (July 14, 2003) 
• Kentucky Post: Late 1800s saw boom in bridge building (July 14, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be holding the following public meetings in the near future:

• Jan. 23 - Campbell County: Extension of KY 536 from US 27 to the AA Highway 
• Feb. 6 - Morgan County: Realingment of US 460 at Greasy Hill 
• Feb. 13 - Lee County: Realignment and Reconstruction of KY 52 

Recent Professional Services Procurement Bulletins  include a study on rebuilding the interchanges on I-65  near the University of Louisville, a study on rebuilding KY 9 in urban Campbell County , and studies about constructing two new interchanges on the Mountain Parkway .

The KYTC Division of Planning has released their final report  concerning a study about possible improvements to the western end of the AA Highway.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will open bid proposals to remove the old Shortway Bridge over the Licking River between Covington and Newport on Sept. 27. It will be up to the contractor to decide how to remove the bridge: removing it piece by piece or with explosives are among the options.

The bridge was replaced by the Licking Valley Girl Scout Bridge and has been closed since the new bridge opened.

Before demolishing a bridge, the KYTC offers it to groups wishing to preserve it; however, no groups came forward to preserve this bridge. Covington and Newport both have requested parts of the bridge to use in other projects.

The Shortway Bridge had been a toll bridge in the past. Tolls were last collected in 1986.

More information: Kentucky Post: The Shortway Bridge: Rusting hulk (Aug. 21, 2002) 

The KYTC has posted information pertaining to their study of improvements to the AA Highway (KY 9) in Northern Kentucky. The study materials can be found here . A map of the study area is here .

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the new Licking River bridge won't be renamed . Northern Kentucky lawmakers had been seeking to rename the new bridge in honor Alvin C. Poweleit, a local doctor and World War II hero. The KYTC recently named the bridge in honor of local Girl Scouts.

The new Licking River Bridge between Covington and Newport has only recently been named in honor of local Girl Scouts; however, a group of Northern Kentucky politicians are seeking to have the bridge renamed in honor of the late Dr. Alvin C. Poweleit, a family physician from Newport and World War II hero. More details can be found in this Cincinnati Enquirer article .

The new bridge over the Licking River between Covington and Newport locally known as the "Short Way" bridge has been named in honor of the local Girl Scout council. More information can be found in this press release .

According to this article  in the Cincinnati Enquirer, work on I-471 on both the Kentucky and Ohio sides is complete. All lanes of the road were reopened on Friday.

According to this Cincinnati Enquirer article , I-471 in Newport will be receiving its first billboards. The city agreed to allow the billboards after requesting billboards to be removed from other areas.

BTW: This is KentuckyRoads.com 100th news item.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this article  that an old railroad bridge over the Ohio River near Newport which was converted to vehicle traffic has been closed and will be reopened as a pedestrian bridge.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this Sept. 28, 2001 article  that a new four lane bridge carrying KY 1120 over the Licking River between Covington and Newport could open this weekend. The bridge replaces an aging two lane span. The bridge will be dedicated and named in October.

According to thus Sept. 21, 2001 article  in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the KYTC wants to meet with drivers on the AA Highway between Campbell and Mason Counties. The KYTC will setup shop in two gas stations along the route to interview drivers about the safety of the highway. This is part of a study to determine whether the road should be widened.