ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2021) – Major construction activity on a significant portion of the US 31W project in Elizabethtown is complete. The stretch from Ring Road (KY 3005) extending north to Hutcherson Road/Pine Valley Drive is open in a new configuration aimed at increasing safety and efficiency throughout the corridor. Only a few details remain for contractors in the section, including finishing touches on striping. Major work south of this section is scheduled for next year.
This seasonal wrap-up represents a commitment made by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Officials at the onset of the project. The commitment assures local businesses long-term construction activity negatively affecting traffic is removed in time for the holidays. The commitment also allows for effective snow and ice removal during winter months which would otherwise be extremely complicated in a construction zone.
Among the most impactful improvements in this portion of the project, signals at Starlite Center and KY 447 have been removed and replaced with intersection designs that reduce conflict points by redirecting left turns across oncoming traffic. These designs greatly reduce the risk of high-impact collisions. The Starlite Center intersection change accompanies a redesigned intersection at Towne Drive, cleaning up a previously skewed access point to retail establishments on the east side of US 31W. The KY 447 intersection improvement features a Reduced Conflict U-Turn, commonly called an R CUT. Graphical representations of these intersections can be found on the US31W.org website.
The site also contains a newly posted video of the completed section featuring a before and after construction comparison.
Increased driving and turning lane capacities created this year are greatly improving the motorist experience along US 31W. In spring 2022, work will begin south of Ring Road toward the US 31W bypass and ultimately proceed to the Saint John Road intersection.
Completion of the entire $13.54 million project by the end of next year will result in a noticeable upgrade of ride quality for the corridor in addition to already highlighted aspects of safety and efficiency.
The KYTC District 4 Office will continue to update progress of the US 31W project via the US31W.org website and social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter (@kytcdistrict4).
Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov
Construction Before and After
