District 3
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a busy construction season throughout the Bowling Green/Warren County area. While the orange cones and barrels may mean some traffic impacts, it also means some great improvements to local roads when the projects are finished.
The biggest project currently underway is the pavement rehabilitation and resurfacing on I-65 between mile markers 13 and 25. The project will address the pavement issues in the area and will result in a complete resurface when finished. There will be lane closures mainly during overnight hours and the interstate will also be down to one lane, at times. Motorists should expect delays, slowed and stopped traffic. Please stay alert and use caution in this area. The project is expected to be completed by early winter.
Improvements to US 231 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green are also underway. The project includes improvements spanning from the Greenwood Mall entrance to the intersection with KY 884 Three Springs Road. A second turn lane from Scottsville Road to Cave Mill Road is being added, as well as a second turn lane on Cave Mill Road to Scottsville Road. Some improvements to the signal function at the intersection with the frontage road and Greenwood Square Shopping Center are also taking place. This project is expected to be completed later this fall.
Work is also continuing on the U.S. 231 Morgantown Road interchange at I-165. New ramps are being constructed to replace the old cloverleaf toll plaza ramps that were used when the toll booths were still in place. The new ramps will be a normal diamond shaped interchange. The project is expected to be completed later this year.
Resurfacing on multiple roads throughout the area is also scheduled. Kentucky and Adams Streets are scheduled to be resurfaced this construction season along with other routes in the Bowling Green/Warren County area.
For more information on all these project and to keep updated with other District 3 areas, we encourage people to follow the District 3 social media accounts at KYTCDISTRICT3 on Twitter and Facebook.
City of Bowling Green
Design for Phase II of the Downtown Improvements projects was recently completed. Phase I construction was completed late in 2019 and addressed deteriorating public infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and street lighting primarily around Fountain Square Park. The second phase will focus on streetscape improvements on College and State Streets from Spring Alley to 6th Avenue, including portions of 8th Avenue and Main Avenue (east and west of the downtown square). Construction for Phase II is expected to begin late spring/early summer.
Additionally, design is underway for the next phase of Shive Lane improvements. In June 2020, Phase I was completed which widened Shive Lane to three lanes from Scottsville Road to Ken Bale Boulevard and also included a roundabout at Ken Bale Boulevard to aid in alleviating traffic congestion and increasing motorist and pedestrian safety. The next phase will continue the widening from this intersection and continue to Lovers Lane. With this construction, a roundabout will be included at the intersection with Middle Bridge Road and a traffic signal will be installed at Lovers Lane. A multi-use path is included with this phase.
Construction of the new Southwest Parkway was completed in November 2020 and the roadway is open to traffic. Southwest Parkway connects the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park to Russellville Road, and the project was a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the City of Bowling Green. KYTC agreed to fund all design, property acquisition, utility relocation, and construction while the City provided construction oversight and project administration. The major goals of the project were to improve safety and promote economic development within the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park.
The City’s Annual Overlay contract was awarded in September 2020. This project includes paving approximately 14 miles of City streets which includes necessary rehabilitation and adjacent handicap ramp upgrades. Paving activities were suspended during the winter months but have recently started again. The project should complete by July.
The City is committed to providing a walkable community and therefore the City allocates funds to build new sidewalks in areas that show a need. Each year candidate projects are prioritized based upon a set scoring system to determine where funds will be spent. Design is complete for sidewalks along portions of Loving Way, Holly Drive, Highland Way and North Lee Drive. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
The Public Works Department continues to work with the City’s Neighborhood & Community Services Department to provide better pedestrian connections throughout town. Sidewalks will soon be constructed along Johnson Drive and Dennis Way. Additionally, a Transportation Improvement Program (TAP) grant awarded to the City in conjunction with the Greenways Commission will provide pedestrian and bicycle connections between existing downtown greenways facilities, key destinations in the West End, and will ultimately improve problematic intersection crossings. Finally, grant funds have also allowed the City to extend its greenway system across Creekwood Avenue and across Jennings Creek. This extension has provided a connection to Moss Middle and Jennings Creek Elementary Schools properties as well as the adjacent neighborhood.