News Summary
Lexington is embarking on a significant roadwork project starting on July 20, involving Main Street resurfacing and lane closures on New Circle Road. The project, expected to last until July 31, will cause nighttime traffic delays. Additional plans include reconfiguring intersections on Richmond Road to improve safety. This multi-million-dollar initiative aims to enhance traffic flow and reduce accidents in high-crash corridors.
Lexington is set to undergo a significant roadwork project starting on July 20 that will result in traffic delays in downtown areas, particularly affecting Main Street between Midland Avenue and Newtown Pike. The resurfacing project is projected to last until July 31, with construction taking place during the night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day. Motorists are advised that while they may pass through work zones, significant delays are expected due to various lane closures.
The initial phase of the project will involve milling, which is the process of removing the existing asphalt surface. Should weather conditions impact progress, July 24 has been designated as a makeup day for milling. Notably, no construction work is scheduled for July 25 and 26 to allow for a brief respite from construction noise. The paving work is scheduled to commence on July 27, with an additional makeup day set for July 31 in the event of weather-related delays.
In addition to the Main Street project, another lane closure will affect the inner loop of New Circle Road starting Monday at mile marker 17.6 for bridge deck repair. The left-hand lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, although traffic will still be able to use the area. Motorists should be prepared for possible traffic backups in this region as well.
Starting Thursday night at 7 p.m., lane restrictions will also be in place on Leestown Road, specifically between Opportunity Way and Towne Centre Drive. This one-lane closure will persist for several months due to ongoing work related to the New Circle Road bridge project. However, one through lane and one left turn lane in each direction will remain operational to accommodate motorists. This bridge repair is part of a larger multi-million-dollar widening project for New Circle Road, aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion by the year 2027.
Furthermore, early next year, a comprehensive roadwork initiative will commence on Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road, specifically extending from Eagle Creek Drive to the entrance of Brenda Cowan Elementary. This area has been identified as a high-crash corridor and is known for experiencing severe traffic congestion.
The project involves reconfiguring several intersections using Restricted Crossing U-Turns (R-CUTs) designed to enhance traffic flow and minimize crashes. Key intersections impacted by this reconfiguration include Squires Road, Yorkshire Boulevard, Ellerslie Park Boulevard, Hays Boulevard, and Aphids Way. Additionally, the project will remove the traffic signal at the Richmond Road entrance to Jacobson Park, with plans to construct a new entrance directly across from Ellerslie Park Boulevard.
Utility relocation is anticipated to begin early in 2025, with major construction slated to start in spring 2025 and conclude by summer 2026. The total projected cost of this significant roadwork is estimated at $12.75 million, funded through both federal and state programs.
An analysis of collision data from 2015 to 2020 has highlighted the urgency of these improvements, noting numerous incidents throughout this corridor, many of which resulted in serious injuries. The implementation of R-CUTs is expected to significantly reduce crashes—by up to 40%—and decrease fatal collisions by more than 50%. The project will also enhance pedestrian safety through the addition of a proposed shared-use path along the north side of Richmond Road.
To ensure continued safety and traffic efficiency, the Transportation Cabinet will monitor traffic volumes and safety trends, particularly in relation to Brenda Cowan Elementary. The renovations planned for Richmond Road are viewed as essential steps toward improving safety and managing the increasing volumes of residential and commercial traffic in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky: Fayette County News
- Wikipedia: Transportation in Kentucky
- Kentucky: Fayette County News
- Google Search: Traffic Construction Fayette County
- Berkeley Observer: Lane Closures Goose Creek
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety Improvements
- WKYT: I-75 Traffic Construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
- WBBJ: West Tennessee Road Construction
- Google News: Road Construction Fayette County
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LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
