The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has issued a heads-up alert to Owensboro area residents about coming lane restrictions and ramp closures along U.S. 60 this summer.
Work on the U.S. 60 Extension Project over the last several years was on new right of way, allowing traffic disruptions to be minimized. However, as construction plans are being finalized for 2015, two projects along U.S. 60 in and near Owensboro have the potential to create summer traffic backups.
Yager Materials of Owensboro is the prime contractor on a $17,756,397 project that runs along U.S. 60/Wendell Ford Expressway from mile point 10.179 at KY 331/Bon Harbor Hills Road extending around Owensboro eastward to mile point15.50 near the Horse Fork Creek Bridge. This includes a substantial portion of what was formerly the Owensboro bypass.
Working with KYTC engineers to reduce the severity and duration of traffic restrictions, the company will start some preliminary drainage improvement work along the right of way as early as February with shoulder closures and limited lane restrictions.
“This major rehabilitation of U.S. 60 through Owensboro includes much-needed drainage improvements, as well as asphalt paving,” KYTC District 2 Chief District Engineer Kevin McClearn said. “Our contractor plans to do as much of the early work as possible with normal lane restrictions and shoulder closures. However, there will be one lane traffic with crossovers and some interchange ramp closures starting perhaps as early as March and continuing through the summer months.”
To help prepare motorists, the Transportation Cabinet will provide notice of these restrictions and ramp closures via traffic advisories as the various traffic restrictions are added.
McClearn said when the rehabilitation project ramps up to full construction in March or April the addition of lane restrictions, crossovers, and ramp closures is likely to create substantial traffic disruptions. Area residents can help reduce those disruptions by seeking an alternate route as often as possible.
The U.S. 60 rehab project at Owensboro has an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2015.
Yager Materials was also the successful bidder on a $4.48 million rehabilitation project along U.S. 60 East of Owensboro between the U.S. 231 intersection and Lewisport. Specifically, the project runs from mile point 29.5 near Kelly Cemetery Road extending eastward along U.S. 60 to mile point 33.833 at the Daviess-Hancock County Line. A start date for work on that project is expected to be set in a few weeks.
“By providing Owensboro area drivers with advance notice of these projects, our hope is that everyone can be prepared for the necessary work zone restrictions as the projects ramp up,” McClearn said.
