“Governor Ernie Fletcher has appointed a former television news executive, Doug Hogan, as Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.”

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher Selects Former Television News Executive (March 12, 2004) 

Other recent Transportation Cabinet news releases include information about the Adopt-a-Highway Program  and information about the dedication of the new transportation building .

Several photographs of the new building have been posted here  and here .

Officials at Bernheim Forest have recently applied for a grant to construct wildlife crossings to allow deer and other wildlife to cross I-65 in Bullitt County. The bridges would be covered in grass and other vegetation so as to appeal to the animals. Such projects have been used to help reduce roadkill rates in other states. The $20 million grant would be supplemented by $5 million from other sources.

More information: Courier-Journal: $25 million wildlife crossings sought for I-65 (March 28, 2004) 

A pair of old and deteriorating bridges in Pewee Valley will be replaced by the city: Oldham County Era: Unsafe Pewee Valley bridges to be replaced (March 25, 2004) 

A group known as The Road Information Program has released a report claiming that poor conditions on many of Kentucky’s highways are costing Kentuckians $2.1 billion a year: Courier-Journal: Highways in Kentucky 'deteriorating' (March 26, 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) 

Perryville city leaders would like to see a bypass constructed around the city; however, no such plan is currently included in the Six Year Highway Plan. Local leaders believe a bypass would help relieve traffic problems through Perryville’s downtown.

More information: Danville Advocate-Messenger: Bypass tops Perryville's priority list at forum (March 24, 2004) 

The Green River Area Development District is planning a detailed study of traffic in downtown Owensboro. Traffic patterns in Owensboro have changed after the opening of the William H. Natcher Bridge to the east of the city.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: GRADD to study downtown traffic (March 23, 2004) 

The proposed 2004 Six Year Transportation plan includes money to fund the design work to rebuild the interchange between I-71/I-75 and Richwood Road in Boone County; however, construction on such a project probably would not begin for ten years.

More information: (Northern) Kentucky Post: Relief is in sight (March 22, 2004) 

American Engineers, Inc. of Glasgow was recently honored by American Consulting Engineers Council for their work on Cemetery Road widening project in Warren County. They shared the award with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the City of Bowling Green.

More information: Glasgow Daily Times: American Engineers honored for design work (March 20, 2004) 

The Herald-Leader considers the entertainment value of road and street projects in the Lexington area: Lexington Herald-Leader: Traffic 'art' has a few nice highlights (March 20, 2004) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer compares progress towards building two new bridges at Louisville to the project to replace the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan lags Louisville's (March 20, 2004) 

The Louisville plan has already cleared environmental approval—a major hurdle—and will be constructed before work starts in Northern Kentucky.

The Buffalo Trade Area Development District has recently developed a list of top ten highway projects they would like to see added the Six Year Highway plan. The list includes widening several sections of KY 9, KY 10, and the AA Highway and reconstruction of several other area routes.

More information: Maysville Ledger Independent: Area Officials Hope to ‘Make the List’ for Road Projects (March 19, 2004) 

Public meetings were held recently to discuss funding for bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville; however, attendance was sparse and little information is available about what was discussed: (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Public hearings to evaluate bridge funding (March 18, 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) 

For the past six years, the Fleming County Covered Bridge Festival has been held in a field near the Goddard Covered Bridge; however, the owner of the field has denied the festival permission to use the field this year. The Goddard Covered Bridge which is off of KY 32 in Fleming County is the last covered bridge in Kentucky that is still open to traffic.

More information: Maysville Ledger Independent: Fleming County Covered Bridge Festival Evicted (March 18, 2004) 

Under the proposed 2004 Six-Year Highway Plan, construction of northern bypass around Lebanon would be delayed until after 2010.

More information: Lebanon Enterprise: North Lebanon Bypass is put on the backburner (March 17, 2004) 

A group of Hopkinsville leaders are lobbying to have I-69 follow the Pennyrile Parkway through Christian County. Current plans are for I-69 to follow the northern tier of the Pennyrile Parkway, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Purchase Parkway.

More information: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Breathitt Parkway pushed as alternate route for I-69 (March 17, 2004) 

Public meetings regarding I-69 were held recently in Henderson and Evansville. The Evansville Courier & Press reported on it here: Evansville Courier & Press: Stirring things up Evansville I-69 debate brings out all sides (March 18, 2004) 

March 16 marked the 84th anniversary of the passing of a bill establishing a Department of State Roads and Highways. The legislature tasked the new department with creating a system of state primary highways with at least one main route in each county. The Legislative Research Commission page linked below includes a photograph of a road crew working in Lee County sometime around 1930.

More information: Moments in Kentucky Legislative History: State Highways 

The Valley View Ferry across the Kentucky River where Madison, Fayette, and Jessamine Counties meet is Kentucky’s oldest business. It has been in operation since 1785. The ferry is privately owned; however, payments from the Transportation Cabinet keep the service free.

More information: The Lane Report: A Kentucky Ferry Tale (March 2004) 

As part of a project to improve conditions along a stretch of US 431 in Muhlenberg County, workers have removed nearly 15 feet of a hillside: Evansville Courier & Press: State road project improves visibility on 'Dead Man's Curve' (March 15, 2004) 

The Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River at Maysville will close this summer for repair work. The bridge was closed last summer as part of the same repair project, but has been open over the past winter. The bridge will close April 1 and is planned to reopen August 31.

More information: Maysville Ledger Independent: Bridge to close once again to complete repair work (March 15, 2004) 

This summer will see an event known as “400 Miles of Antiques, Collectibles & Stuff” along nearly 400-miles of US 68 Kentucky. The event will be held June 3-6 and involve events along in 24 counties along US 68’s route.

More information: Central Kentucky News-Journal: 400 miles of opportunity -- June event will bring thousands of visitors, dollars to Central Kentucky (March 14, 2004) 

Transportation officials have revealed three options for a proposed route between Columbia and Springfield. The proposed route has been called the Heartland Parkway and would pass through Adair, Taylor, Marion and Washington Counties.

One option would see the construction of the an interstate-type highway between the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway and the Blue Grass Parkway.

A second option would widen a route along KY 55, US 68, and KY 555 to four lanes.

A third option would simply add one mile of passing lanes to every three miles of road along KY 55, US 68, and KY 555 between the two parkways.

Current highway plans include no funding for the project other than this initial study.

More information: Central Kentucky News-Journal: Heartland Parkway -- Three options unveiled for 60-mile road (March 14, 2004) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader carried a short piece about the origin of Ironworks Pike’s name on Sunday: Lexington Herald-Leader: Ironworks Pike Once Led To A You-Guessed-It (March 14, 2004) 

Transportation officials from Kentucky and Indiana held two public meetings this week to discuss the construction of I-69 between I-164 in Indiana and the Pennyrile Parkway in Henderson County. The preferred route will include twelve miles of new highway and a new Ohio River bridge.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: I-69 public hearings this week (March 14, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: I-69 hearing set for tonight (March 16, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: I-69 answers on tap (March 16, 2004) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Henderson residents air I-69 concerns (March 17, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: Some fear flooding from I-69 (March 17, 2004) 

Road work to repave and repair the Henderson Bypass is likely to cause extensive traffic disruptions. Work on the project between the northern end of the Pennyrile Parkway and US 60 began this week and is scheduled to wrap up Nov. 15.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will also be repaving a stretch of US 41 between the Ohio River and the I-164 interchange. This is interesting, since most of that stretch of road is actually in Kentucky.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: Henderson bypass may be 'road less traveled' (March 13, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: Highway headaches (March 13, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: U.S. 41 repairs also set around Evansville (March 13, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: U.S. 41-Bypass work begins today (March 16, 2004) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Henderson road project to cause traffic delays (March 17, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: Bypass paving, ramp closing to overlap (March 17, 2004) 

Update (Mar. 28, 2004): More information: Henderson Gleaner: Bypass repairs getting started (Mar. 19, 2004) 

The Knox County fiscal court approved a municipal aid agreement with the Transportation Cabinet that will provide funds to improve the county’s road system. Knox County Road Foreman Bobby Bingham said that many of the county’s roads were designed in the 1920s to handle horse and buggy traffic.

Reference: Griffitts, J. “Grant will upgrade 'horse and buggy' roads” [http://www. corbintimes.com/|Corbin (Ky.) Times] 11 Mar 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 workshop presented by The National Center for Bicycling and Walking looked at options for presenting improving pedestrian and bicycle access to LaGrange’s highways. The workshop included a muddy walking tour of KY 393.

More information: Oldham County New Era: Walkable community workshop offers insight on Ky. 393 (March 12, 2004) 

The contractor overseeing the KY 201 widening project at the intersection of US 23 and KY 201 will keep KY 201 open from 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 3 - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The road will be open all day on Sundays.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Highway District 12: Press Release (March 11, 2004) 

Despite recent spot improvements to US 119 over Pine Mountain in Letcher County, vehicles over 30 feet long are still banned from the highway. The ban went into effect March 12, 2001 after a traffic study conducted at the request of the Pine Mountain Task Force.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Highway District 12: Press Release (March 11, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has eliminated a couple of alternatives from the Brent Spence Bridge replacement study. A plan to build a bridge for I-75 far to the west of downtown near the Anderson Ferry will not be studied, and a plan to build a bridge to the west of the current bridge along with a large new interchange west of downtown Cincinnati will not be studied. The latter was one of the six alternatives presented in January.

The changes were announced during a meeting of local transportation officials on Wednesday. At the same meeting, engineers presented data on why a tunnel was not a feasible alternative.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Two bridge options dropped (March 11, 2004) , Cincinnati Post: New bridge options trimmed to 5 (March 11, 2004) , (Northern) Kentucky Post: Brent Spence options narrowed to five (March 11, 2004) , (Northern) Kentucky Post Corrections: Truck ban cost (March 11, 2004) 

A recent procurement from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Professional Services appears to indicate that an interchange will be built at the intersection of KY 3 and KY 645 near Inez. The procurement bulletin states the following purpose and need: “The purpose of this project is to improve safety by providing for a grade separation of KY 3 traffic turning west bound onto KY 645. Proposed design should also provide for continuous movement for other movements at this intersection.”

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Procurement Bulletin 12-139 

When the 2004 Recommended Six-Year Highway Plan was released Transportation Cabinet Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey assured legislators that no projects had been removed the 2002 Six-Year Plan; however, the Courier-Journal has found that fifteen projects scheduled under the 2002 plan were moved to the unscheduled needs list in the new 2004 plan.

More information: Courier-Journal: 15 projects cut from road plan (March 3, 2004) , WKYT: 15 Kentucky Road Projects Cut Due To Budget Crisis (March 4, 2004) , Hardin County News Enterprise: State drops I-65 widening (March 5, 2004) 

[Read Full Text]

A project to realign a section KY 70 near the Pulaski County town of Eubank is moving ahead. The contract for the project was recently awarded to a Springfield-based company. The project will construct a new overpass over the Norfolk & Southern Railroad and will replace an outdated tunnel under the tracks. The one lane tunnel is too small to accommodate fire trucks and other large vehicles.

Reference: Mardis, Bill. “Eubank Tunnel” (Somerset, Ky.) Commonwealth Journal  8 Mar 2004.

The city of Fort Wright held a public meeting Tuesday to discuss future development along KY 17 in the city. There is some concern that the stretch of road could become a chokepoint for traffic to and form I-275.

More information: (Northern) Kentucky Post: Fort Wright to study Ky. 17 (March 8, 2004) 

A traveling memorial to those who have lost their lives in highway work zones is at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet building in Frankfort this week: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: National Work Zone Memorial Comes To Frankfort (March 5, 2004) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Work Zone Safety Message Comes Straight From The Heart (March 9, 2004) 

Signs posted along I-71/I-75 in northern Kenton County advice truckers to use only the right two lanes; however, an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer reveals that the Covington Police Department has chosen not to enforce this restriction: Cincinnati Enquirer: Trucks defy traffic signs on interstate (March 6, 2004) 

The Bowling Green Daily News carried a brief editorial about the proposed Natcher Parkway extension and its effects on congestion along US 231: Bowling Green Daily News: Parkway plans will alleviate traffic problem (March 5, 2004) 

The Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning has released the draft final report concerning plans to construct a northwest bypass of Franklin.

More information: KYTC Division of Planning: Franklin Northwest Bypass (March 8, 2004) 

Work to widen part of US 27 in northern Pulaski County is scheduled to begin this summer. The project will include an interchange at the site of the proposed Interstate 66 crossing.

More information: WKYT: Network of New Highways is on the way to southern Kentucky (March 5, 2004) 

Backers for a proposed project to replace the Brent Spence Bridge see promise in a proposed two-year extension of the federal six-year highway plan. In order to avoid long deliberations over a new six-year plan, the Congress may opt to extend the current six-year plan for two years. Lobbyists for the Brent Spence Bridge project would use the extra two years to build support for including funding for the bridge replacement in the next plan.

Additionally, a ban on trucks crossing the bridge has been considered; however, such a ban would not serve as a permanent solution as it would only cause further congestion on other bridges and highways in the area.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bill delay may aid Brent Spence (March 5, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Truck ban seen as no panacea (March 10, 2004) , (Northern) Kentucky Post: Bridge study: Don't ban trucks (March 10, 2004) 

Winchester Mayor Dodd Dixon discusses the city’s roads at a recent meeting of the Winchester Lions Club. One of several topics discussed was the recent completion of the city’s first city funded connector route: Winchester Sun: Mayor Outlines Considerations for City Transportation Projects (March 3, 2004) 

A developer who plans to build a 158-home subdivision near the KY 53 and I-71 interchange has agreed to add a new northbound lane to KY 53 on the south side of LaGrange.

More information: Courier-Journal: Developer agrees to pay to add lane on Ky. 53 (March 4, 2004) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher says that there is no political will for increase in the gasoline tax that would fund upcoming transportation projects. Kentucky’s gasoline tax stands at 16.4-cents and is the lowest amount 10 neighboring and nearby states. The current tax rate is expected to generate revenue far short of what would be required to complete projects currently listed in the six year highway plan.

When asked about the situation, State Representative Rob Wilkey (D-Scottsville), chairman of the House budget subcommittee on transportation, said that there is only a one-in-seven chance of any particular project being funded.

More information: Associated Press: Highway Engineers Are Told 'Political Will' Is Lacking (Mar. 2, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Road delays loom as gas tax increase unlikely to happen (Mar. 2, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has scheduled a number of public meetings to discuss road projects across the state.

• US 421: On March 18 from 5pm to 7pm a meeting will be held at Sandgap Elementary School in Sandgap to discuss the reconstruction of US 421 from McKee to the Rockcastle County line. [more information ]
• KY 313: On April 12 from 5:30pm to 8pm a meeting will be held at Flaherty Elementary School in Ekron to discuss an extension to KY 313 from Vine Grove to Brandenburg.
• US 460: On April 27 from 5pm to 8pm a meeting will be held at Camargo Elementary School in Jeffersonville to discuss the reconstruction of US 460 from Jeffersonville to Means.

The Courier-Journal has a story about the proposal to sell decals to hide the smiley face on the state’s license plates: Courier-Journal: State decal proposed to eclipse plate's sun (March 1, 2004) 

The bill is Senate Bill 57 .

After initially declining to study possible routes for I-66 through southern Illinois, it seems that Illinois and Missouri residents are now hoping to have the route built between I-24 and a new bridge over the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau.

Kentucky is in the process of a feasibility study to determine the best route for I-66 between Paducah and the Mississippi River near Wickliffe.

More information: Southeast Missourian: Illinois I-66 planners wait on feds (date unknown)