The City of Bowling Green Public Works Department is in full-swing with a number of projects varying from pavement improvements to roadway widenings. The second phase of the Smallhouse Road project, which includes widening to 3 lanes from Highland Way to Ridgecrest Way with an 8 foot multi-use path on one side of the roadway, began in August. Waterline and storm sewer installation has been completed on the north side of the roadway. Traffic has been shifted to allow for storm and sidewalk construction to begin on the south side. The project is anticipated to be complete and open to traffic in May 2019.
The City’s Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Paving contract began in the fall. The contract includes paving approximately 18 miles of city streets, various roadway repairs and upgrades to numerous sidewalk handicap ramps. The majority of the work will be completed in Spring 2019 when asphalt plants reopen.
Design work continues on a new traffic signal at the intersection of Dishman Lane and Industrial Drive. The installation will help improve traffic congestion and safety at this location. Construction is planned for Spring of 2019. Additionally, work is wrapping up on adjacent storm and roadway improvements along Industrial Drive between Dishman Lane and Modern Way to address standing water and access management needs.
The City has completed design plans for improvements to and around the Downtown Fountain Square Park. Improvements include safety upgrades to pedestrian movement adjacent to the square, as well as lighting and aesthetic improvements to sidewalks and alleys near the downtown. Construction is set to begin this winter.
In an effort to be a more walkable community, the City allocates funds to build new sidewalks in areas that show a need. Each fiscal year, the Bowling Green City Commission assigns approximately $500,000 to the City’s Sidewalk Construction Program, with the purpose of identifying locations and constructing sidewalks in areas where none currently exist. Construction bids were recently received for new sidewalk along sections of Park Street, Kenton Street, Magnolia Street, and North Lee Drive. Due to the received bids being over budget, the City will be rebid in early 2019. Additionally, sections of Sandra Street and Potter Avenue will receive new sidewalk in early 2019. Once complete, these six locations combined will add approximately 6,500 feet to the City’s sidewalk network.
The Public Works Department continues to work with the City’s Neighborhood & Community Services Department to provide better connections through the Census Tract 112 in the West End of Bowling Green. Design for sidewalk improvements throughout this area is complete, with property acquisition and construction to begin within the coming months. This sidewalk project coincides with a Transportation Improvement Program (TAP) grant awarded to the City in conjunction with the former Greenways Commission. Design is underway for various improvements for the West End that focus on safe pedestrian and bicycle routes. The project(s) will provide connections between existing downtown greenways facilities, key destinations in the West End, and will ultimately improve problematic intersection crossings.
American Engineers was recently awarded the design contract for the Shive Lane Widening and Roundabout project. The goal of this project is to improve traffic and pedestrian safety by adding a center turn lane to Shive Lane between Scottsville Road and Ken Bale Boulevard. Additionally, construction of a single lane roundabout is proposed at the intersection with Ken Bale Boulevard to reduce morning and afternoon peak delays. A five foot wide sidewalk is also proposed along the north side of Shive Lane for the entire length of the project. Final design was completed in December 2018. Property acquisition for new right-of-way and easements is scheduled to begin in early 2019 and construction is expected to start Spring 2019.
With the recent success of the roundabout at University Boulevard and US 31W Bypass, City staff have evaluated locations where traffic flow could be improved with the installation of small roundabouts in residential areas. Based on this evaluation, the City recently awarded a contract to Cannon & Cannon for the design of mini-roundabouts at the intersections of Parkside Drive/Cove Drive, North Sunrise Drive/Woodway Street/Cove Drive, and Crossings Boulevard/Chasefield Avenue. Given the constraints at these locations, it is anticipated these roundabouts will incorporate mountable splitter and central islands in order to accommodate busses and large trucks. Design is ongoing with construction scheduled to begin Spring 2019.
In October 2018, the Bowling Green City Commission and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for KYTC to fund, on a reimbursement basis, the design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation for a portion of the originally planned Southwest Parkway and an associated connector road that will tie into Kobe Way in the Southcentral Kentucky Industrial Park. The major goals of this project are to promote economic development and improve traffic flow within the industrial park. A design consultant will be selected in early 2019. Roadway design, property acquisition, and utility relocation are anticipated to take most of 2019 to complete. Construction is currently expected to begin in late 2019.