You may be seeing spots through the quick build projects intended to make Bowling Green safer for everyone. The City of Bowling Green was selected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) as one of three cities to participate in Smart Growth America’s 2025 Complete Streets Leadership Academy — a national program that helps cities create safer, more connected streets. As part of this opportunity, a team comprised of Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), City County Planning Commission (CCPC), City, KYTC District 3 staff and community volunteers have learned from national experts and peer communities to compete quick build projects here in Bowling Green.
A quick-build project is a low-cost, temporary way to test changes on a street using things like paint, signs, and flexible posts that take less time to implement. It helps us try out safety improvements before making more permanent, expensive upgrades. These low-cost, flexible projects use proven tools to improve safety — without waiting years or spending a lot of money. The City of Bowling Green was awarded $22,000 grant through this program to support quick-build demonstration projects on state roadways. Two locations with infrastructure issues were selected for quick build projects:
- Smallhouse Rd./Covington St. and Broadway Rd./Scottsville Rd. intersection
- Morgantown Rd. – inbound side from Festival Dr. at Walmart entrance to sidewalk end approaching Dollar General
These locations are state roads located in the city limits where many people walk, bike, and drive—but it doesn’t always feel safe. It connects neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, making it a key street for all types of travel. The roadway is also extremely wide, which gives us ample space to test out quick-build safety improvements without removing access for drivers. This project provides a chance to try out changes that could make the street safer and more comfortable for everyone. These improvements are especially aimed at protecting children walking or biking to school, the library, nearby parks, or home. These locations are neighborhood connectors, and we wanted it to feel and function like one—not a highway.
Goals of this hands-on project include:
- Improve safety on right-of-way
- Test new street designs before making permanent changes
- Work closely with residents, City staff and state partners
- Gather real-world feedback on what works — and what doesn’t
- Build momentum and support for lasting improvements on our state roads
- Show Bowling Green’s commitment to safety, innovation and community-driven solutions that can lead to long-term change.
Smallhouse Rd./Covington St. and Broadway Rd./Scottsville Rd. intersection
Below is a list of challenges and improvements that were made:
- Only one crosswalk existed and it went to the island at the corner of Broadway and Smallhouse with no curb cut or sidewalk. The City paid and installed curb cuts and sidewalks on the island providing easy access providing a more permanent solution. Three new crosswalks were added to the intersection.
- Two pedestrian buttons were not accessible for individuals using mobility devices. These have been corrected and are now Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. KYTC paid and moved one button. The City paid and installed curb cuts and sidewalks on the island providing button access providing a more permanent solution.
- The Broadway and Smallhouse corner had a wide turning radius, and the Smallhouse crosswalk was long in length. Using grant funds, a bump out was installed featuring striping and traffic delineators to tighten the turning radius and shorten the crosswalk. Also with the grant funds, artwork with green spots on an orange background was installed in the bump out to draw attention to the corner alerting drivers of possible pedestrian activity.
Morgantown Rd.
Below is a list of challenges and improvements that were made:
- No sidewalk existed between Dollar General and Festival Drive. Individuals were walking on the shoulder of the road in an undesignated area. The shoulder was wide allowing the space for a designated walkway/greenway for walking and biking. Striping was procured through the grant and installed by a local contractor. The delineators and curbs were procured through the grant and installed by KYTC.
- There were no pedestrian crossings at the apartment complex drive or on Potter St. The Potter St connection to Morgantown Rd. was wide. Cross walks were installed at the apartment complex drive and at Potter St. Artwork with green spots on an orange background was installed by a local contractor through the grant at the corners to alert drivers of possible pedestrian activity.
The collaboration and partnership with the City and KYTC brought many issues to light including improvements that were made and paid for by each, outside of the provided grant funds. The additional funding from the City and KYTC allowed for more permanent materials intended to last longer than many quick builds temporary materials. The quick-build improvements were finalized in June 2026 and are intended to last for multiple years but are temporary in the sense then can be removed with little expense.
How can I get involved or give feedback?
For more information on the quick build projects, click here. We want to hear from everyone who uses these locations! Input gathered will help us understand what’s working and what needs improvement—and may lead to adjustments for these projects and insights for other installations to better meet community needs.