Money will be released from the state's highway contingency fund to bury utility cables along the Newtown Pike extension in Lexington: Lexington Herald-Leader: Power lines along Newtown Pike Extension will be buried (Aug. 26, 2009) 

From the Department of Highways District 10 on August 25, 2009:

Two-day closure planned for KY 451 in Perry County
Home Lumber Bridge project continues

JACKSON, KY – Beginning Thursday, Aug. 27, KY 451 in Perry County will be closed for two days in the vicinity of the Home Lumber Bridge project. This closure will allow the contractor to place fill material to create the roadway embankment leading to the new railroad crossing and the new bridge.

No marked detour will be posted for KY 451, but motorists can use KY 15 (the Hazard bypass) and Business KY 15 from either end of the bypass as an alternate route to downtown Hazard.

From the Department of Highways District 10 on August 24, 2009:

Second phase of intersection work scheduled for Stanton
Closures in effect for 10 days beginning Monday, Aug. 31

JACKSON, KY – The upcoming second phase of concrete paving at the intersection of KY 213 (Main Street) and KY 11/KY 15 (College Avenue) in Statnton means detours will again be in place for several days.

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Louisville's government is seeking opinions regarding improvements to River Road: Louisville Courier-Journal: Opinions sought on River Road plans (Aug. 21, 2009) , City of Louisville: River Road Corridor Plan 

Indiana state reports indicate that construction of I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis could exceed budgets by as much as $120 million: Indianapolis Star: Early work on I-69 project could exceed budget, reports indicate (Aug. 17, 2009) 

Work to address a slumping roadway will cause intermittent closures along a portion of US 68 in Jessamine County this week: Lexington Herald-Leader: Portion of U.S. 68 to close starting Wednesday (Aug. 17, 2009) 

The Bowling Green city commission is considering improvements to two local routes. The commission is considering adding sidewalks and realigning portions of Old Morgantown Road, and two options for improving the intersection of Cave Mill Road and Smallhouse Road are under consideration: Bowling Green Daily News: Old Morgantown Road improvements vote set (Aug. 17, 2009) , Bowling Green Daily News: City discusses annexation in Smallhouse area (Aug. 19, 2009) 

• Kentucky and Indiana have both appointed representatives to a group that will negotiate issues related to the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Ky. negotiators named to establish bridges' authority (Aug. 17, 2009) , Associated Press: Beshear, Abramson appoint negotiators for bridges (Aug. 18, 2009) 

• Concerns over financing the bridges project could limit the ability to move quickly on other transportation projects: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges delay risks flexibility for smaller projects; December deadline looms for transportation projects (Aug. 18, 2009) 

• The Courier-Journal ran an editorial cartoon depicting the bridges project's looming December funding deadline: Louisville Courier-Journal: The Bridge to No Way (Aug. 22, 2009) 

Several studies are underway to determine how to improve the Green River Ferry crossing in Mammoth Cave National Park. The options being considered are improving the current ferry or replacing the ferry with a low water bridge or a high bridge crossing.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Mussel study a factor in river crossing issue (Aug. 14, 2009) , U.S. National Park Service: Mammoth Cave National Park - Ferries 

Kentucky and Indiana will apply for federal money to replace the narrow bridge carrying US 421 over the Ohio River between Madison, Indiana and Milton, Kentucky. If approved, the plan is demolish the current bridge and build a similar looking, wider bridge in its place using the existing piers. Weight restrictions were placed on the existing bridge earlier this year due to what was described as advanced deterioration.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Ky., Ind. to seek stimulus money to replace U.S. 421 bridge (Aug. 14, 2009) , Louisville Courier-Journal: States to seek stimulus grant for replacement Madison-Milton bridge (Aug. 14, 2009) 

Critics are concerned that power lines will clutter the view along Lexington's Newtown Pike extension: Lexington Herald-Leader: Power lines will clutter Newtown Pike extension, project critics say (Aug. 13, 2009) 

A contracting firm hired by Jeffersonville, Indiana is putting the finishing touches on its designs for the city's connection to the the Big Four Bridge. The former railroad bridge over the Ohio River is being converted to a pedestrian walkway: Louisville Courier-Journal: Jeff design for Big Four walkway nears completion (Aug. 12, 2009) 

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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Two great resources about covered bridges in Kentucky have just been linked to from this site's covered bridge page:

• Kentucky's Covered Bridges  - Information about a book covering the topic along with photographs and information about covered bridges in the commonwealth.
• Foundation For Kentucky's Lost Covered Bridges  - Information about covered bridges in Kentucky and the role they played in the Civil War.

In a sign that the Nashville Road widening project in Bowling Green is nearing completion, road crews will soon be applying the final layer of asphalt on part of the newly widened section. From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 17, 2009:

Paving operations continue for Nashville Road

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation crews will be applying the final layer of asphalt on Nashville Road over the next couple of weeks.

Crews will continue the paving operations tonight between the Natcher Parkway and Potter Children’s Home. This work schedule will have a 6:00 pm start time and will continue until early morning. The paving will continue for the remainder of the week with at least one lane of traffic open in each direction.

All of the striping will be done once the paving is complete. Because there will be some lag time between the paving and striping, motorists should pay close attention and reduce their speed while traveling this route, especially at the intersections.

Paving this week on I-65 in southern Warren County should signal the near completion of the project to widen the Interstate two three lanes in each direction through all of Warren County. From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 17, 2009:

Paving operations for I-65 in south Warren County

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation crews will be paving this week on the interstate between mile markers 15 and 20 (from north Simpson County to just south of the Natcher Parkway interchange) from 6 am until 7 pm.

Two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction.

Motorists are advised to use caution and be alert for trucks entering and exiting the work site along this area.

Update Aug. 24: The Daily News published an article about the I-65 widening project: Bowling Green Daily News: Expanded I-65 should be completed by end of Sept. (Aug. 24, 2009) , Associated Press: I-65 work to be done by September (Aug. 24, 2009) 

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 9, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – KYTC crews have pushed traffic down to one lane in each direction on the Louie B. Nunn Parkway in preparation for bridge pier construction.

Both directions of the Nunn Parkway will be pushed down to one lane around the clock at mile marker 15-16 for the next 45 days. The lane closures are approximately 2,000 feet in length and will allow crews to begin work on the interchange for the Glasgow Outer Loop.

The third section of the outer loop was awarded to Hinkle Contracting in June for $13,730,000 and is tentatively scheduled for completion in the spring of 2011.

Motorists are advised to use caution and pay attention to signage while traveling through this work zone. The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 55 mph.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 10 on August 14, 2009:

Transportation Cabinet schedules Aug. 27 public hearing to discuss Mountain Parkway widening project

JACKSON, KY – Residents of Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe counties are invited to attend a public hearing to discuss a project to widen the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway to four lanes between Exit 57 at Helechawa in Wolfe County and Exit 75 near Salyersville in Magoffin County.

The hearing will be held Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lakefront Church of God on KY 134 in Magoffin County. The site is accessible from the Mountain Parkway via its intersection with KY 134 between mile markers 67 and 68.

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From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 10 on August 13, 2009:

Installation of new railroad crossing to force two-day closure of KY 451
Closing related to Home Lumber bridge project

JACKSON, KY – Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, KY 451 in Perry County near the Home Lumber Bridge will be closed for two days for installation of a new railroad crossing.

The closures will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

This work is related to the construction of the new Home Lumber Bridge.

No marked detour will be posted for KY 451, but motorists can use KY 15 (the Hazard bypass) and Business KY 15 from either end of the bypass as an alternate route to downtown Hazard.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 12, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation crews will be installing guard rail on the Louie B. Nunn Parkway this week from 7:00 am until 5 pm.

Lane closures will be used in each direction from mile marker 0-5 while this work is performed.

Motorists are advised to use caution and reduce their speed while traveling through this work zone.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 2 on August 3, 2009:

Railroad Work to Create One Lane Traffic on US 41 Between Hopkinsville and Ft. Campbell
Rail overpass to require traffic shift starting August 6th

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. — Alltrack, Inc., plans to replace railroad ties and rails along the railroad overpass on US 41-A/Ft. Campbell Boulevard between Hopkinsville and Ft. Campbell starting August 6, 2009.

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From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

I-64 Project to Detour Traffic

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 31, 2009) –The Interstate 64 twin bridges crossing KY 420 (Old Lawrenceburg Road) in Franklin County will undergo repairs beginning August 3rd. The project will involve maintenance repairs to the structural steel, expansion joints and bridge deck. Motorists may want to find alternate routes or adjust their plans during peak travel times.

As part of the project, one lane of traffic will be closed continuously during the bridge deck work. Other phases of work will be performed underneath the bridge with minimal disruption to motorists. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 MPH in the vicinity of the work zone.

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From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on August 4, 2009:

Lovers Lane reconstruction complete
One-time country lane now major artery for Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – When originally built more than 60 years ago, Lovers Lane was exactly that – a single, gravel lane just barely wide enough for one vehicle. It served as a farm-to-market road for families in the surrounding countryside.

“Families along the lane took care of each other,” said Betty Lou Smith, whose family has lived on Lovers Lane since the 1950s. “If someone was sick or needed help with something on the farm, you could count on your neighbors. The lane connected us all and brought us together in times of need.”

Lovers Lane is still connecting people, though time inevitably brings change. Today, the onetime country lane is a modern, five-lane highway, thanks to a major reconstruction that was celebrated today.

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From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 1 on July 28, 2009:

Traffic ADVISORY

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on the US 60 Tennessee River Bridge during daylight hours starting Monday, August 3, 2009.

The lane restriction is to allow a detailed inspection of the bridge structure. Inspectors plan to restrict traffic on the bridge to one lane from approximately 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m., CDT, each day. Inspectors will be conducting an arms-length inspection of the bridge superstructure, deck members, and substructure. The work is expected to take about a week.

Motorists should be alert for equipment, flaggers, and inspection personnel on the bridge deck in close proximity to traffic flow. Appropriate caution is required.

Also known as the Ledbetter Bridge and the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, the structure carries approximately 9,000 vehicles cross the Tennessee River Bridge in an average day, linking McCracken County and Livingston County at US 60 mile point 19.718.

All Kentucky bridges get a detailed arms-length inspection every two years. The US 60 Tennessee River Bridge was opened to traffic in 1931 as a toll bridge. Piers for a new bridge are currently under construction just upstream from the existing structure.

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 2 on July 16, 2009:

Purple prisms along Kentucky highways generate speculation
Insect traps aimed at monitoring spread of emerald ash borer

MADISONVILLE, Ky. — If you’ve driven along the Wendell Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway or any number of other highways in Western Kentucky you may have noticed some odd looking purple prisms hanging in trees along the roadside. The strange looking structures have generated several dozen calls to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and area police agencies.

According to Kentucky State Entomologist Dr. John J. Obrycki, the oddly shaped bright purple structures are taps put out to monitor the spread of the emerald ash borer.

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The Mountain Parkway is currently being widened between exits 43 and 46 near Campton. Several bridges and ramps will be replaced as part of this widening project.

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From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on June 10, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Beginning on Monday, June 15, Kentucky Transportation crews will begin the reconstruction of the bridge on KY 1330 at mile marker 2.2 in Barren County.

This work involves the demolition and reconstruction of the existing bridge over Falling Timber Creek and will require KY 1330/Kino Road to be CLOSED from Monday, June 15 through September 14.

A detour route will be set up and signed using KY 640 and KY 90. The closure will begin at 6:30 am on Monday.

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on May 7, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A crowd of about 60 people gathered to watch history being made at the Cumberland River ferry near Turkey Neck Bend in Monroe County on Thursday, April 30.

A new ferry barge, the "Sloan", was delicately guided into the river with the help of some heavy-duty equipment, including a grader, tractor-trailer and dozer. The new barge has roughly the same dimensions as its predecessor, the "Sarah M.", but is a foot longer at 92 feet. It’s 18 feet wide.

The new ferry was constructed in about 10 weeks by Grandview Welding and Equipment Company, the only bidder for the $320,000 contract.

The old ferry carried passengers across the Cumberland River for more than 40 years. The Sarah M. will be dismantled and sold. The ferry has been operative for about 200 years, according to some of the local residents.

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From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on April 24, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – KYTC crews will remove the signal heads from three downtown Bowling Green intersections on Monday at 9:00 am.

Stop signs were installed at each of the intersections back in January when the signals were placed on ‘flash’ in preparation for the change from a signalized intersection to one that requires each direction to stop.

The intersections to be changed to all-stop:

• State Street and 6th Avenue
• College Street and 6th Avenue
• State Street and 7th Avenue

This work should take approximately 3-4 hours. Motorists should use caution and reduce their speed while traveling through these work zones.

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In this area of Bowling Green, 6th Avenue carries the west bound lanes of KY 234, and 7th Avenue the east bound lanes.

From the Kentucky State Police:

Applications are now being accepted for a special license plate to help raise funds for Trooper Island, a free summer camp for disadvantaged boys and girls age 10-12 operated by the Kentucky State Police on Dale Hollow Lake in Clinton Co. In order for the Transportation Cabinet to make this an official tag for vehicle registration in Kentucky, 900 applications must be received by September 2009. The cost is $28.00 at the time of application with an additional $16.00 due at the time of pick up. Applications can be obtained from any state police post or downloaded from the KSP web site at www.kentuckystatepolice.org . Trooper Island is financed entirely by donations, no public funds are used. Each year, the camp hosts approximately 700 children, providing good food, fresh air, recreation, guidance and structured, esteem-building activities designed to build good citizenship and positive relationships with law enforcement officers. For more information, visit the KSP web site at www.kentuckystatepolice.org  or call the KSP Media Relations Branch at 502-695-6344.