A Highway Safety Improvement Project at Exit 7 on Interstate 165 in Warren County has Started.
The interchange is being converted to a Double Crossover Diamond.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (April 11, 2025) – A Highway Safety Improvement Project (HSIP) at Interstate 165 Exit 7 U.S. 231 Morgantown Road in Bowling Green has started. The project will retrofit the current interchange to convert it to a Double Crossover Diamond (DCD) Interchange. While the road will remain open throughout the project, motorists will notice different traffic patterns during construction.
The speed limit on U.S. 231 has been lowered to 35 mph through the work zone. The 45-mph area has been extended north of the work zone to Veterans Memorial Highway. One lane in each direction on U.S. 231 is expected to be closed beginning Tuesday, April 15. Motorists should use caution while traveling through this section of roadway. The project is expected to be completed later this fall. The current interchange bridge is not being replaced, as the retrofit to the DCD is utilizing the current footprint of the road.
The purpose of the project is to help improve safety and mobility along the U.S. 231 Morgantown Road corridor. Recent residential, commercial and school system developments have changed traffic patterns in the area.
“This project is a design for the future,” said Joe Plunk, Chief District 3 Engineer. “As this area of Warren County grows, this innovative interchange design will ensure a high level of mobility and safety over the traditional interchange into the future.”
A DCD is an interchange with two signalized intersections, where traffic between the intersections crosses over to the left side of the roadway. As vehicles exit the interchange, they return to the right side of the road. This design allows for vehicles to turn left onto and off freeway ramps without stopping or crossing opposing lanes of traffic. Right turns on and off freeway ramps occur either before or after the crossover intersections.
There are multiple benefits to DCD’s including enhancements to safety, efficiency and mobility. DCD’s reduce wrong-way entries to ramps, limit the number of ways opposing traffic crosses paths, and decrease the number of crash points for vehicles. DCD’s also operate with fewer traffic signal phases which decrease delays and increase volume of traffic that can be served by the signals. The design also provides motorists with easier access to I-165 without having to cross opposing traffic.
To learn more about DCD’s and how to use them please click here to go to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Safer Road Solutions website.
Scotty’s Contracting & Stone LLC was awarded the contract in January in the amount of $2.4 million.
Additional updates from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 3 can be found below:
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – District 3
Click here for additional state updates.
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City of Bowling Green
Click here for June Public Works Monthly Report
July 2025
Bluegrass Farms Boulevard
The City of Bowling Green has entered into a cost-sharing and property donation agreement with Natcher Parkway Holdings, LLC for the extension of Bluegrass Farms Boulevard from its current endpoint near Camping World to a new intersection with Plano Road, opposite Sylvia Way. Construction, which began in June 2024, mirrors the design of the existing Bluegrass Farms Boulevard (3 lanes, curb and gutter, sidewalks). Once completed, this project will support economic development and provide an alternate route between Scottsville Road and Plano Road. Construction is nearing completion, and the road will be open later this summer.
Cave Mill Road Corridor
The Cave Mill Road corridor, from Dishman Lane to Scottsville Road, has received design funding through the latest KYTC Enacted Highway Plan to address growing congestion and improve safety in response to increased traffic in the area. In 2023, the City contracted American Engineers, Inc. to develop a design for widening the roadway, enhancing intersections, and improving drainage. The project will also feature an 8-foot-wide multi-use path to promote pedestrian mobility. Design is nearing completion, and the City is waiting for the additional funds to be allocated from KYTC to begin property acquisition.
Tomblinson Way Roundabout
Given the success of the new roundabouts constructed across the City and positive impact they have had on traffic operations, a fifth roundabout, at Tomblinson Way and Preston Miller Park, has been designed. Funding was approved in the City’s FY2026 budget so the project will soon move into the property acquisition phase with construction likely later this year.
Decorative Signal Pole Painting
The City of Bowling Green solicited bids for the repainting of decorative traffic signal mast arm poles at multiple KYTC signalized intersections along US68X and 31W. The intent was to prolong the life and improve the overall aesthetics of these polies which were installed in the late 1990’s by Operation Pride. Work began on May 31 and was completed in June. The picture on the left is shows the repainting of the decorative traffic signal at E. 12th Ave./Kentucky Street Intersection.
Sidewalks/Greenways
As part of our commitment to creating a walkable community, the City continues to allocate funds for new sidewalk construction in areas of need. Projects are prioritized each year using a scoring system. After overwhelming support for the 2025 locations, proposed sidewalks are in the design phase along Ridgecrest Way and Wheatstone Avenue.
Similarly, the City’s Greenways Program annually ranks and selects projects based on funding. This year, new greenways will be added along Smallhouse Road, Bryant Way, Lover’s Lane and Highland Way. Design is substantially complete on most of these locations and property acquisition as begun for easements necessary for the construction.
The Public Works Department continues to work with the City’s Neighborhood & Community Services Department to provide better pedestrian connections throughout town. A Transportation Improvement Program (TAP) grant was awarded to the City in conjunction with the Greenways Commission that will provide pedestrian and bicycle connections between existing downtown greenways facilities, key destinations in the West End, and will ultimately improve problematic intersection crossings at Veterans Memorial Lane and Gordon Avenue. Construction on the first phase of the “West End Greenways” was completed in 2024. More sidewalk and greenway path improvements are under construction for a second phase of this project with more grant funds . Locations include Pearl Street, Double Springs, Jackson Street and Church Street. Completion is anticipated late summer.
An additional grant-funded project currently in progress is the Scottsville Road Multi-Use Path. This initiative involves the design and construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path along Scottsville Road (US 231), extending from Campbell Lane (US 231X) to Three-Springs Road (KY 884). The project will also connect to greenways and sidewalks along Bryant Way and Cave Mill Road, which are presently funded and in the design phase. Design is substantially complete pending minor revisions.
A TAP grant was also received to complete sidewalk on Three Springs Road from Wheatstone Ave. to Flea Land. Design is complete and under review by KYTC. Construction is anticipated to begin later this summer.
Riverview Drive Pedestrian Refuge Island at Center Street
An additional TAP grant was secured to provide for pedestrian refuge islands along Riverview Drive at both College St. and Center St. The construction for both islands was completed in the spring. With the anticipated growth in Riverfront activities, these will provide for safer pedestrian crossings along this corridor.
Annual Paving Contract
The City’s Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Paving contract which began in the spring is complete. Projects are currently being selected for the FY2026 Paving contract. This contract will include street paving, roadway repairs, and upgrades to numerous sidewalk handicap ramps.