News Item #1685

The Interstate 71 widening in Carroll County and Gallatin County is in its last weeks. The nearly $42 million project, under way since March 3, 2025, takes the interstate from two lanes in each direction to three, with a shared median wall, for 4.59 miles: from mile point 52.77 in Carroll County northeast to just west of Sparta Pike (KY 35) at mile point 57.36 in Gallatin County. Eaton Asphalt Paving Co. is the contractor, and completion is still expected this month, November 2026, weather permitting. The speed limit through the work zone has been lowered to 55 mph during construction.

Final paving began in late October, and northbound traffic is already in its final configuration. This week’s closure was for paving on the southbound side at the Carroll County end of the project: the right lane south of the KY 47 bridge (mile points 52.77 to 54) was closed Friday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 9 a.m.

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6:

Single Lane Closure on I-71 Southbound in Gallatin and Carroll Counties on Friday, Nov. 13
Crews will perform paving operations as part of ongoing I-71 widening project

COVINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2026) – As part of the ongoing Interstate 71 widening project in Carroll and Gallatin counties, a single lane closure will be in place on Friday, Nov. 13. Crews will be performing paving operations as the project nears completion.

On Friday, Nov. 13 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., there will be a single right lane closure on I-71 southbound to perform this work south of the KY 47 bridge overpass (52.77 to 54 mile points). The lane is expected to reopen by 9 a.m. KYTC will advise if additional time is needed to perform this work.

Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid delays.

Project Background

A project aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety on a portion of I-71 in Gallatin and Carroll counties began on March 3, 2025.

The project will widen I-71 from its configuration of two lanes in each direction, to three lanes in each direction with a shared median wall.

I-71 is being widened in the following areas:

• Gallatin County: beginning at the Carroll/Gallatin County line (mile point 53.41) extending northeasterly to west of Sparta Pike (KY 35) (mile point 57.36), a distance of 3.95 miles.
• Carroll County: beginning at mile point 52.77 extending northeasterly to the Carroll/Gallatin County line (mile point 53.41), a distance of 0.64 miles.

The speed limit has been reduced throughout the project area to 55 miles-per-hour to keep crews safe as they work to improve the corridor.

Eaton Asphalt Paving Co., Inc. is contracted to perform the nearly $42 million project on behalf of KYTC. Weather permitting, the overall project has an expected completion date of November 2026.

You can find more information on the project here .

Project schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. For the most current information on road construction in Northern Kentucky, please visit the District 6 Roadshow  or the Driving Northern Kentucky Progress  website. You can also stay informed by following KYTC District 6 on Facebook  and X  (formerly Twitter). For statewide traffic and travel updates, visit GoKY .

Earlier: Final Paving Begins on the I-71 Widening in Carroll and Gallatin Counties