PADUCAH, KY (Aug. 6, 2021) — KYTC District 1 anticipates ongoing construction activities at the following locations will impact traffic the week of Aug 8-14, 2021.
I-24 Westbound from Kentucky into Illinois
A contractor for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has a work zone along Interstate 24 in Illinois from the Johnson-Massac County Line at the 24mm to the I-24 Ohio River Bridge at the 39mm. For westbound traffic, this work zone starts on the Kentucky side of the bridge with a merge point near the 1mm in Kentucky. Work zone alert signage starts at the 7mm. Eastbound and westbound traffic lanes in Illinois are restricted at various locations with a 14 ft.-3 inch load width restriction. The target completion date is November 15, 2022.
I-24 Eastbound Lane Restriction and EB Ramp Closure Exit 4
Eastbound traffic is restricted to one lane and the eastbound entry ramp is closed at the I-24/U.S. 60 Paducah Exit 4 Interchange. This eastbound lane restriction and closure of the eastbound entry ramp at Exit 4 is to allow the entry ramp to be extended. There is a barrier wall. There is no re-entry to I-24 eastbound at Exit 4. However, there is a marked detour via Exit 3. The eastbound entry ramp at Exit 4 will remain closed until work is completed around August 20, 2021.
I-24 at 55.5 to 64.5mm for Concrete Rehab Project
This work zone has 2-way traffic with a centerline barrier wall along the eastbound lanes of I-24 from the 55.5 to 64.5.5mm. This 10 mile section of 2-way traffic is to allow full-depth concrete reconstruction along the westbound lanes. Maximum load width is 15 feet for eastbound vehicles and 11 feet for westbound, The westbound exit ramp at KY 139 Exit 56 is closed. All other Exit 56 ramps are open. Due to the ramp closure, there is no fuel available for 20 miles westbound between Exit 65 and Exit 45. A permanently signed emergency route runs along KY 139 and U.S. 68 between Exit 56 and Exit 65. There is a strictly enforced 55 mph work zone speed limit with enhanced police presence through December 15, 2021.
U.S. 45 in Graves County & McCracken County
There are two work zones along U.S. 45 between Paducah and Mayfield for construction of R-Cut crossings. Motorists should be alert for lane restrictions and a traffic shift for the R-Cut this week at the U.S. 45/KY 408 intersection near the Kentucky State Police Post 1 Headquarters in northern Graves County. Motorists should be alert for work zone lane restrictions and a traffic shift to the R-Cut this week at the U.S. 45/KY 1288 intersection in southern McCracken County. For more information on how an R-Cut works please go to www.us45safety.org or to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzpdTdXDfRw . The target completion date at both locations is August 21, 2021.
U.S. 60 in Livingston County
U.S. 60 has an active work zone near the 12mm at the north edge of Smithland for construction of the New Cumberland River Bridge. Flaggers may be present to assist trucks delivering materials and equipment to the worksite. There is a 25 mph speed limit for westbound traffic and a 35 mph speed limit for eastbound traffic. Work is staring on the realignment of the KY 70 intersection at the south end of the bridge work zone. The target completion date for the new $63.6 million bridge is Spring of 2023.
U.S. 60 in Paducah
While paving is complete on U.S. 60 along sections of South 21st Street and Jackson Street between U.S. 45/Joe Clifton Drive and KY 994/Old Mayfield Road, some additional work continues. Please note that this is now a 3-lane roadway with a center turn lane and bike lanes. Be alert for changes in lane configuration at each end of the project. This work zone will include a signalized pedestrian crosswalk at 25th Street near Tilghman High School in coming weeks.
U.S. 60 in Western McCracken County
U.S. 60 has work zone lane restrictions for the construction of R-Cuts at the KY 726/Kelley Road intersection and the KY 996/Metropolis Lake Road intersection. Traffic has shifted to the R-Cut crossover at both locations. Target completion date is Sept 30, 2021. For more on how an R-Cut works please go to www.us45safety.org or to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzpdTdXDfRw .
U.S. 62 in Western McCracken County
U.S. 62 has an active work zone with a strict 35 mph speed limit between KY 998/Olivet Church Rd and the traffic signal at McCracken Boulevard to extend the 4-lane section of U.S. 62/Blandville Road westward about 1 mile. This $7.7 million project includes new bridges across Massac Creek. Motorists should be alert for flaggers and traffic shifts, as well as for workers in close proximity to traffic flow. This work zone has an enhanced enforcement presence. Target completion date is December 1, 2022.
U.S. 62/KY 286 Y Intersection in Western McCracken County
Motorists may encounter one-lane traffic from time to time at the U.S. 62/KY 286 Y intersection and along a 4.5 mile section of U.S. 62/Blandville Road extending eastward to the McCracken Boulevard traffic signal. Starting this week, KY 286 traffic will have a marked detour to the south end of KY 726/McKendree Church Road for several weeks. Caution is required. The target completion date for this $2.4 safety enhancement project is October 15, 2021.
U.S. 641 in Southern Calloway County
Construction has ramped up on the New U.S. 641 from the Clarks River Bridge at the south edge of Murray to the KY-TN State Line at Hazel. Initial construction on this 6 mile section of new 4-lane will have no impact on existing U.S. 641 traffic during the 2021 construction season and minimal impact on side roads. Initial work includes culvert and bridge construction. Target completion date is summer of 2023.
U.S. 641 at Benton in Marshall County
This work zone along U.S. 641 through downtown Benton includes one lane traffic along the one-way sections of Main Street and Poplar Street. Starting this week, the contractor is initiating near 24 hour work activity that includes early morning placement of concrete pavement. The work zone will have one lane traffic northbound and southbound. Some short detours are possible and delays are likely. Motorists should consider an alternate route. The target completion date is Fall of 2021.
U.S. 641/KY 402 Intersection in Southern Marshall County
The U.S. 641/KY 402 intersection near Hardin has work zone lane restrictions for construction of an R-Cut. There is a 45 mph speed limit with an enhanced police presence. A traffic shift is expected in this work zone this week. For more information on how R-Cuts work please go to www.us45safety.org or to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzpdTdXDfRw . Target completion date is Aug 15, 2021.
This traffic impact report is aimed at alerting motorists to work zones on mostly major routes. It does not include projects on rural secondary highways that have minimal cross-country traffic.
More detailed work zone information and maps indicating the location of these projects can be found on the timeline at www.Facebook.com/kytcdistrict1 and at goky.ky.gov.