News Summary
Lexington is set to embark on a significant transformation with a roadwork project along the Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road corridor aimed at improving safety and traffic flow. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has identified this area as a priority crash zone and will introduce the Restricted Crossing U-Turn system to help manage the expected increase in traffic due to new developments, while also enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2025 and conclude by Summer 2026.
Big Changes Coming to Richmond Road-Athens Boonesboro Road Corridor!
Lexington is gearing up for a major transformation! A significant roadwork project is set to kick off this year along the busy Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road corridor. This project isn’t just about road repairs – it’s all about improving safety and keeping traffic moving smoothly for everyone who travels through the area.
What’s the Plan?
This extensive roadwork will stretch from Eagle Creek Drive right up to the entrance of Brenda Cowan Elementary School. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has classified this corridor as a priority high crash zone, and they’re stepping in to tackle the heavy traffic congestion. With new homes, shopping areas, restaurants, and, yes, even a brand new school popping up nearby, the number of cars on the road is only going to grow. No one wants to sit in traffic, right?
Making Roads Safer and More Efficient
One of the key changes includes reconfiguring several intersections with an innovative system called the Restricted Crossing U-Turn (R-CUT). Now, this might sound a bit complicated, but stick with us! Under this system, if you’re coming from a side street and need to turn left onto Richmond Road or Athens Boonesboro Road, you’ll instead turn right and then make a U-turn from a nearby median. This new approach is designed to help traffic flow more freely and reduce the potential for serious accidents. Studies have shown that R-CUTs can dramatically cut down on collision points at intersections.
Lucky for us, there are already some R-CUTs in place, like one at Competition Drive leading from the new soccer stadium, which have shown promising results. Locals can expect to see R-CUT installations at several intersections, including:
- Squires Road and Yorkshire Boulevard
- Ellerslie Park Boulevard
- Hays Boulevard
- Aphids Way
- Entrance to Brenda Cowan Elementary School
At these locations, drivers won’t have the option to turn left or go straight across the busy road, but they will be able to make U-turns from the adjacent medians. This is all part of a bigger plan to reduce that dreaded traffic jam feeling!
Other Exciting Changes Ahead
Turning our attention to the Richmond Road intersection with Old Richmond Road and Jacobson Park, a bit of a shake-up is planned. They’ll be closing the Old Richmond Road intersection and removing the existing traffic signal, moving traffic instead to Aphids Way, which will be revamped to handle more vehicles. The current entrance to Jacobson Park will remain, but if you’re heading out from Richmond Road, you’ll have to take a different route if you want to get back into the park.
A shiny new entrance to Jacobson Park will be built right across from Ellerslie Park Boulevard, complete with a fancy new traffic signal! Plus, you can expect dual left turn lanes on Richmond Road at Hays Boulevard, making it easier for drivers to get where they need to go.
Keep on Walking and Biking!
Concerned about biking and walking? Fear not! There will also be a proposed shared-use path on the north side of Richmond Road from Yorkshire Boulevard to Hays Boulevard. This path is designed to make it easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians to travel along this busy corridor.
When Will These Changes Happen?
Plans are on track, with the right-of-way acquisition almost complete. Utility relocations are expected to begin early in 2025. The KYTC aims to put out bids for contractors soon, with construction looking to start in the spring of 2025. Excitingly, this ambitious improvement project is projected to wrap up by the summer of 2026!
What’s the Cost?
This whole project is estimated to cost around $12.75 million. You might be wondering where this funding comes from – it’s being supplied by a mix of federal, state, and local resources.
Collisions in the area have been a serious concern, with a recent analysis noting 67 incidents, some of which resulted in serious injuries. With strategies like R-CUTs that can reduce collision rates by as much as 40% and fatal accidents by over 50%, it’s clear that these changes are coming at just the right time.
So, there you have it, folks! As Lexington gears up for this important roadwork project, residents can look forward to a smoother, safer driving experience on the Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road corridor.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
- AOL: Webster Turkey Trot Returns
- WKYT: Dissecting an R-CUT Intersection
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Google Search: R-CUT Intersections
