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November 2003

The items listed below are KentuckyRoads.com news items from November 2003. For the most recent updates see the KentuckyRoads.com home page.

[KY 922]
Neighborhood Will Be Razed to Make Room for Newtown Pike Extension
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 6:20PM CST

Part Davistown, one of Lexington's poorest neighborhoods, will be razed to make way for a 1.25-mile extension of Newtown Pike through downtown Lexington. Many of the houses in the neighborhood will be cleared to make way for a new housing development and park associated with the project. Current residents have been promised opportunities to live in the new housing development.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Neighborhood will be razed for road extension (Nov. 15, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
"Coalition for a New Bridge" Formed to Lobby for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 6:09PM CST

A coalition, co-chaired by the senior vice-president of Toyota North America, has been formed to lobby for money needed to study and construct a replacement for the aging Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. When the bridge opened in 1963, it was designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day. Today it carries 149,000 vehicles per day.

More information: Kentucky Post: Coalition to lobby for a new bridge (Nov. 14, 2003) [Outside Link]

Update 17-Nov-2003: More information: Associated Press: Group urges replacing I-75 bridge (Nov. 16, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 45]
Aerial Photographs of Illinois Central Railroad and US 45 Ohio River Bridges Contributed
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 9:12AM CST

Tim Ward of C.J. Mahan Construction Co has contributed aerial photographs of the Illinois Central Railroad Bridge at Metropolis, Illinois and the US 45 bridge at Brookport, Illinois. These have been added to the Bridges of the Ohio River Photo Gallery. Thanks to Tim for the contribution!

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Toll Road "Credits" to be Used to Fund LexTran and TARC
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:32AM CST

The commonwealth will use a provision of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to receive federal money to fund LexTran and TARC. The ISTEA allows states to use money spent constructing toll roads that are now part of the National Highway System to be used as credits to receive federal matching funds. Usually, states must match 20% of the federal money applied to highway and transit project; however, Kentucky will use credits accumulated through the construction of the Kentucky Turnpike and parkway system in place of the 20% state matching funds.

More information: KYTC Press Release: LexTran and TARC Public Transit Systems Receive Funding through Toll Road Monies (Nov. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 231]
New Phase of US 231 Widening Project Opens in Warren County
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:32AM CST

Another section of the US 231 widening project has opened to traffic. This phase is from Alvaton east towards the Allen County line. Work on this section should be complete by December 1. Eventually, all of US 231 between Bowling Green and Scottsville will be widened to four lanes.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Section of U.S. 231 is opened (Nov. 14, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-71]
Signs Marking Site of Fatal Bus Crash Temporarily Removed
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:32AM CST

Signs marking the site of a 1988 fatal bus crash near Carrollton have been temporarily removed during a project to replace signs along the entire length of I-71 in Kentucky.

Some local residents would prefer the signs stay down permanently. They feel the signs unfairly connect Carrollton to the accident. The signs originally read "site of Carrollton bush crash;" however, they were later changed to read "site of fatal bus crash." Families of accident victims want the signs returned.

On May 14, 1988, a drunk driver collided head on with a church bus. Twenty-seven passengers on the bus were killed by the ensuing inferno. Forty other passengers were injured.

More information: Hardin County News Enterprise: Signs at site of crash taken down temporarily (Nov. 13, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
KYTC Porn Report Delayed
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:31AM CST

A report by Transportation Cabinet Inspector General Bobby Russell has been delayed. The cabinet wanted to remove information that could be used to identify individual employees who were disciplined as a result of the investigation.

More information: Associated Press: Release of transportation report on Net porn delayed (Nov. 13, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 3155]
Leitchfield Bypass Progresses
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:31AM CST

Contracts will be let this month for another phase of the Leitchfield Bypass (KY 3155). This phase will connect the existing road at City Park to Salt River Road (KY 920) where it will tie in with the nearly complete northern phase of the bypass between Salt River Road and KY 259. Work is expected to begin as soon as weather permits.

More information: Grayson County News-Gazette: Contracts set for November on east bypass (Oct. 22, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Governors Name Panel to Oversee Role of Minority Contractors in Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:31AM CST

Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan have appointed a two-state committee to enhance minority participation on the Louisville Southern-Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project.

More information: Press Release from Office of Gov. Patton: Patton, Kernan Name Joint Panel to Oversee Minority Role in Ohio River Bridges Project (Nov. 13, 2003) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Governors appoint two-state panel for bridge projects (Nov. 13, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 2541]
State Will Dismantle Historic Steel Bridge in Downtown Greenup
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:30AM CST

The transportation cabinet will dismantle a one-lane steel bridge over the Little Sandy River in Greenup despite some protests. The span, constructed in the 1880s, has been closed to traffic due to structural decay. The span will be replaced sometime in 2004 or 2005.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Little Sandy Bridge will remain closed to traffic (Nov. 14, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 27]
Ohio Landing of "Purple People Bridge" Will Receive Upgrade
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 8:30AM CST

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) [Outside Link]

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[I-66]
Anti-I-66 Meeting in Bowling Green Uses Misleading Information
Posted: 13-Nov-2003 4:40AM CST

Narration for a video presented during a meeting of persons against the construction of the proposed I-66 in Warren County described the site of a Dishman Lane collapse as being close to the location of the Kentucky Tri-Modal Transpark. The Bowling Green Daily News reports that the sites are 5-1/2 miles apart. A look at a map reveals that the two sites are at least 10 miles apart. The Dishman Lane collapse is much closer to sites such the William H. Natcher Parkway, Interstate 65, and the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport which to the best of my knowledge have not suffered cave ins.

The meeting was attended by about 20 people.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Presentation geared toward people against development (Nov. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-71]
Accident Closes Part of Interstate 71 in Carroll County
Posted: 12-Nov-2003 8:50PM CST

An accident involving a tanker truck carrying hydrochloric acid forced the early morning closer of I-71 between exits 44 and 57. The interstate will remain closed until at least Thursday. Travelers in the area are asked to use US 42.

Up-to-date information regarding highway conditions in the area can be found at: 511.ky.gov [Outside Link]

More information: WLKY: Kentucky Highway To Be Closed Until Thursday (Nov. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Governor-Elect Fletcher Names Fred Mudge Transportation Cabinet Transitional Chair
Posted: 12-Nov-2003 3:49PM CST

Governor-Elect Ernie Fletcher, who will become Kentucky's first republican governor in 32 years, has named former Transportation Cabinet secretary Fred Mudge to head the transportation cabinet transition. Mudge was Gov. Patton's first transportation secretary.

More information: Courier-Journal: Fletcher announces 22 cabinet leaders for transition period (Nov. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 119]
Contract for Final Section of US 119 Pike County Project to be Let this Month
Posted: 11-Nov-2003 6:49PM CST
Topics: [Pike County] [US 119]

A 20.7 mile project to build to widen US 119 to four lanes from Pikeville to the West Virginia border could be complete in 2006. The project began in 1975. The project cut through three mountains. Nine out of ten sections of the project have seen some construction, and many are now complete. The transportation cabinet is expected to let contracts for the tenth and final segment this month.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: The road to completion is getting shorter (Nov. 5, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 7]
Restored Bennett's Mill Covered Bridge Unveiled
Posted: 11-Nov-2003 5:20AM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officially unveiled the restored Bennett's Mill covered bridge over Tygarts Creek in Greenup County near KY 7.

More information: KYTC Press Release: Restored Covered Bridge in Greenup County Unveiled to Public (Nov. 6, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 62]
New Bridge at Kentucky Dam to Open In 2006
Posted: 11-Nov-2003 5:20AM CST

The US Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of building a new rail and highway bridge over the Tennessee River just below Kentucky Dam. The bridge is part of a project to build a large navigation lock at Kentucky Dam. The total cost of the project is expected to be $650,000,000. The 1200-foot bridge is expected to open in 2006; lock construction should be completed in 2012.

The bridge will carry US 62 and US 641. Both routes currently cross the river via a road on top of the dam.

More information: WPSD NewsChannel 6: New bridge opens '06 (Nov. 6, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Louisville - Jefferson County]
Public Meetings Held to Discuss Plans for Fegenbush Road Intersections in Jefferson County
Posted: 11-Nov-2003 5:20AM CST

On Thursday, November 6, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss improvements to two Jefferson County intersections on Fegenbush Road: one at Outer Loop and the other Beulah Church Road.

More information: Courier-Journal: State seeks public input on intersection work (Nov. 5, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Ricardo Moore to Head KYTC's Disadvantages Business Enterprise Program
Posted: 11-Nov-2003 5:19AM CST

Ricardo Moore has been named the liaison officer for the transportation cabinet's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

More information: KYTC Press Release: Ricardo Moore Named Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (Nov. 3, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Information Added to Planning Website
Posted: 4-Nov-2003 4:57AM CST

New information about several projects has been added to the Transportation Cabinet's Division of Planning website:

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Fatal Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise in Kentucky
Posted: 4-Nov-2003 3:39AM CST

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that motorcylce accident related fatalities have risen 58% since the repeal of Kentucky's helmet law in 1998. In 2000, the rate of fatal motorcycle accidents was 8.2 per 10,000 registered motorcycles; that national average was 6.3.

More information: Courier-Journal: Motorcycle deaths rise after helmet-law repeal (Oct. 30, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 30]
New Section of KY 30 in Laurel County Opens
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:35AM CST

A newly reconstructed section of KY 30 has opened in Laurel County. The new stretch of highway connects with old KY 30 near KY 1227 to the Hal Rogers/Daniel Boone Parkway north of London.

More information: KYTC Press Release: New Section of KY 30 Now Open To Traffic (October 31, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 52]
First Stage of KY 52 Reconstruction Project Opens
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:34AM CST

A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday to mark the completion of the first stage of a project to reconstruct KY 52 between Lancaster and I-75. The project is planned to be completed in four stages.

More information: KYTC Press Release: First stage of KY 52 Reconstruction officially opens (Oct. 29, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Covered Bridge Contractor Asked to Devise New Plan or Quit
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:33AM CST

Intech Contracting has been asked to devise a new plan for restoring the Goddard covered bridge in Fleming County or quit the job. Originally, Intech had planned to disassemble the bridge and restore it at a workshop in Lancaster; however, local opposition has lead the transportation cabinet to ask Intech to complete the bridge restoration on site.

More information: Associated Press: Bridge contractor asked to cancel or come up with new plan (October 30, 2003) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Restorers asked to re-think Fleming Bridge (October 30, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 32]
Approach to Yatesville Lake State Park to be Widened
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:32AM CST

Planning is underway to widen five miles of KY 32 between US 23 and Yatesville Lake State Park; however, construction is not expected to begin until 2007.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Ky. 32 will be widened, straightened (Oct. 27, 2003) [Outside Link], Ashland Daily Independent: Reaction to Ky. 32 road project mixed (Oct. 29, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Louisville - Jefferson County]
New Aiken Road Bridge in Jefferson County Should Be Open By Year's End
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:32AM CST

A new bridge over Floyds Fork should be open by years end. An old one-lane bridge was closed in July 2002 after an inspector found dangerous problems with the bridge.

More information: Courier-Journal: Aiken Road bridge quickly takes shape (October 24, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 68]
US 68 Reopens in Mercer County
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:32AM CST
Topics: [Mercer County] [US 68]

A stretch of US 68 near Pleasant Hill in Mercer County that had been closed for reconstruction reopened on October 22.

More information: Danville Advocate Messenger: Work completed on stretch of U.S. 68 (October 23, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
New Louisville Bridge Could Affect Waterfront Park
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:31AM CST

Plans for a new downtown bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville could disrupt the Waterfront Park.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bridge project design could threaten park (October 21, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-71]
Cow Disrupts Traffic on I-71
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:31AM CST

A cow escaped from a truck on Interstate 71 on October 16 and disrupted traffic near the Oldham County-Jefferson County line for some time before being destroyed by local officials.

More information: Courier-Journal: Cow loose on I-71 disrupts traffic, is finally captured (October 17, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 393]
KY 393 Widening Project on Track for 2004
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:31AM CST

Right-of-way acquisition has recently been completed for the KY 393 widening project between KY 22 and Interstate 71 in Oldham County. This keeps construction on track to begin in 2004.

More information: Oldham County Era: Ky. 393 widening on track for 2004 (Oct. 13, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 3005]
Elizabethtown Ring Road Construction Completion Delayed Until December
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:31AM CST

Completion of construction on Elizabethtown.s Ring Road has been delayed until December 1. Construction was originally expected to be complete by October 6; however, weather caused delays in completing the project.

More information: Hardin County News-Enterprise: Ring of Fines: Ring Road project behind schedule (Oct. 13, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-65]
Transportation Cabinet Presents Options for New I-65/Warren County Transpark Connector
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:31AM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet presented several options for highways to connect the new Warren County Tri-Modal Transpark to I-65 at a public meeting on Oct. 9. Options include a new-freeway grade highway between I-65 and US 31W in northern Warren County and upgrading existing highways in the area.

More information: Bowling Green Daily-News: Public responds to interchange plan (Oct. 10, 2003) [Outside Link], Kentucky Trimodal Transpark [Outside Link]

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[I-75]
New Barnes Pike/I-75 Interchange Opens Near Williamstown
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:30AM CST

A new interchange at Barnes Pike near Williamstown in Grant County was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 7.

More information: KYTC Press Release: Governor Patton Officially Opens Barnes Pike Interchange (Oct. 9, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Ironton-Russell Brudge]
Planning for New Ironton-Russell Bridge Enters Final Design Phase
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:30AM CST

The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to soon release more information about the design of a new bridge over the Ohio River between Russell, Kentucky and Ironton, Ohio. The bridge will be a cable-stayed bridge.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: New bridge project enters design phase (Oct. 6, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[US 60]
Owensboro Bypass and Natcher Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation Projects to be Completed by the End of November
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 2:30AM CST

Diamond grinding on the westernmost section of the Owensboro Bypass and repaving of the northern end of the William H. Natcher Parkway should be complete by the end of November.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Work on U.S. 60 bypass going smoothly (November 5, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
KY 175/Western Kentucky Parkway Interchange Opens
Posted: 3-Nov-2003 12:01AM CST

A new interchange between the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway and KY 175 near Graham in Muhlenberg County opened October 5.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: New Parkway Exit Ofificially Opens Monday (Oct. 4, 2003) [Outside Link], KYTC Press Release: Governor Patton Cuts Ribbon on the New Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway/KY 175 Interchange in Muhlenberg County (Oct. 6, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[KY 7]
Bennett's Mill Bridge Should Reopen Soon
Posted: 2-Nov-2003 11:54PM CST

Bennett's Mill Covered Bridge over Tygarts Creek could be reopened by Nov. 1. The bridge, originally construction in 1850, was closed and dismantled in 2001. Under contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Intech Contracting reconstructed the bridge to historic specification and using as much of the real bridge as possible.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Under Construction (Oct. 3, 2003) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Covered bridge rebuilding begins (Oct. 4, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-64]
Fayette County Residents Complain of Light Pollution from New I-64 Lighting
Posted: 2-Nov-2003 11:46PM CST

Many residents of rural Fayette County have lodged complaints about new high-mast lights on I-64. The lights are said to be visible from two to three miles away.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Longing for the dark (Oct. 1, 2003) [Outside Link]

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