A recent study by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet identifies several alternatives for the proposed I-66 in Warren County and a new Bowling Green beltline route.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 press release:

FINAL CORRIDORS FOR I-66 AND BOWLING GREEN BELTLINE RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER STUDY

After a lengthy process of a busy two-year study full of meetings, discussions, traffic models and more meetings, the final corridors being suggested for further study for both the I-66 and Bowling Green Outer Beltline Studies have been determined. "We began with a blank slate at our first public meeting, just a huge map of the study area on which we asked people to make comments about their issues and concerns," said Keirsten Jaggers, Information Officer. Jaggers continued, "The development of the final corridors was constantly evolving due to the amount of public input we received."

"Projects to improve the way we move people and things begin as an idea or need," stated Jeff Moore, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet planner for the local District Three Office. "But before we can start putting lines on a map and digging in the dirt, we have to work with the community to answer many questions. Why do we need this? What exactly are we doing? Where are we going to do this? How much is it going to cost?" In the summer of 2001, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) began a study to answer those questions about the need for I-66, between the William H. Natcher Parkway and the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway, and the need for the Bowling Green Outer Beltline.

Through the first steps of the study for the Outer Beltline and I-66 projects, it was determined that the study area of the Outer Beltline would lie completely within the I-66 Corridor study area. Since both projects would be studied as freeway-type facilities that would only have access at interchanges, the pathways considered for I-66, in some cases, might lay along the same pathways of the Outer Beltline. For these reasons, KYTC and FHWA determined that the studies should be conducted jointly, but that those pathways or "corridors" for each project be evaluated independently. This entire process has now identified three possible corridors for I-66 and two possible corridors for the Outer Beltline for further consideration. The "no build" options also have been recommended for further consideration.

For I-66, three corridors were selected for further study. Corridor 10 uses a section of existing I-65 from the Louie B. Nunn Parkway southward and then travels cross-country northwest for approximately 19 miles until its intersection with the Natcher Parkway. Corridor 11 uses a section of existing I-65 from the Louie B. Nunn Parkway southward and then travels cross-country northwest for approximately 15 miles until its intersection with the William H. Natcher Parkway. Corridor 12 uses existing I-65 for its entire length between the Louie B. Nunn Parkway and the William H. Natcher Parkway and would not require a new route, but would require additional widening of I-65 to ten lanes.

For the Bowling Green Outer Beltline, two corridors were selected for further study. Corridor A is approximately 24 miles in length and would connect to the William H. Natcher Parkway/US 231 to the south, sweep to the east around the city, crossing I-65 north of the city and connect again with William H. Natcher Parkway to the west. Corridor B is approximately 28 miles in length and follows the same path as Corridor A until reaching US 31W to the north at which point it travels farther north and then connects with the William H. Natcher Parkway to the west.

These study recommendations are the first steps toward the development of these projects. Throughout the next steps of the process, further questions will be asked about how these new roads might work and how they will lay across the land. Throughout that process, the public will be a participant, and more extensive environmental studies will occur. As to when those next steps will begin is uncertain. No funding is currently available for those future steps in providing a segment of I-66 from the William H. Natcher Parkway to the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway or the Bowling Green Outer Beltline.

"These are extremely big plans that we are making for some very complicated projects," added Moore. " Working with a great team of planners, engineers, historians, biologists, and citizens, what we have done is to narrow the focus down to a handful of options. If the community, the state, and possibly the nation decide that this is an investment that we need to be making, then we will begin to look at those options and ask even more questions, until we finally get the best possible solution. The result of all these efforts will be a project or projects that provide a better way for us to move people and things around the Bowling Green area."

Copies of the I-66 and Outer Beltline Planning Studies are available for viewing at the Main Branch of the Bowling Green Public Library, the Smiths Grove Public Library, and the Brownsville Public Library. In addition, the entire documents can be downloaded from KYTC Division of Planning website at http://transportation.ky.gov/planning/projects/projects/I-66/I-66.shtm 

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Options for I-66 laid out (March 5, 2005)