24 hour construction starting Aug 2
PADUCAH, Ky. (July 26, 2020) — A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans early morning concrete pavement work along U.S. 641 through downtown Benton this week with 24-hour construction activity starting August 2, 2021.
This work zone along U.S. 641 runs from mile point 7.98 near the Town Creek Bridge extending northward through downtown Benton to mile point 8.824 at the KY 348/5th Street intersection, a distance of about 8/10ths of a mile. It includes all of the one-way sections along Main Street and Poplar Street in Benton.
The early morning and overnight construction activity is aimed at limiting traffic disruptions and enhancing the safety of workers along the busy work zone.
This week, the work zone will be active starting at 4 a.m., CDT, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as a crew starts placing partial width concrete pavement along the section of Main Street between 8th Street and 11th Street in Benton. The crew will be pouring and finishing concrete pavement from approximately 4 a.m. to about 12 Noon. As the concrete cures, another crew will move forms during the afternoon and evening hours to prepare for the next day’s concrete pour.
The contractor will then move to the Poplar Street side of the project starting Monday, August 2 with construction activities around the clock until the project nears completion. The move to 24-hour construction is part of a 4 month push to complete the project this fall.
Delays are possible during the movement and placement of equipment to facilitate the work. Motorists should be alert for trucks hauling materials into and out of the worksite.
Due to the high level of construction activity over the next several weeks, motorists are asked to use an alternate route whenever possible. There is a 25 mile per hour work zone speed limit.
The contractor is required to maintain one lane of traffic flow in each direction at all times. The contractor will attempt to minimize access interruptions to driveway entrances and maintain access for businesses and residences along the work zone. However, entrance closures will be required at times.
There will be no on-street parking in areas with construction activity.
This U.S. 641 reconstruction project through downtown Benton was scheduled for completion this summer. However, as work progressed engineers determined there was insufficient gravel base under several sections of the roadway. The project was extended into this fall to allow placement of reinforced concrete pavement along the areas with base issues.
The contractor will provide timely updates as phases of the work progress and traffic shifts are required.
Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on this $3,325,189 highway improvement project. The target completion date for all work on the project has been extended to November 15, 2021.