Author: Renee LaPlante

Section from Ring Road to US 31W Bypass will be first

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Feb. 18, 2022) – Construction is set to resume on US 31W through Elizabethtown Monday, February 28th.  Although some minor preparation work has continued since completion of the section north of Ring Road, traffic has been able to flow normally through the corridor since a seasonal pause began in November.

The first construction item with restarting work will impact the median portion of US 31W from near West Nalls Road (just south of Ring Road) to the Peddlers Mall Entrance (just south of US 31W Bypass).  Traffic will reroute to either the US 31W Bypass Intersection or the Ring Road Intersection and make a U-Turn in order to access entrances and side streets on the opposite side of the roadway.  Traveling across the median construction area will be prohibited.  This portion of median work should be complete in April.

With only short duration exceptions, two lanes will remain open through the day in each direction.  At night, the contractor is allowed to reduce travel to one lane each direction.

Looking ahead through this year, an overall view of the project entails full construction of the section between Ring Road and US 31W Bypass from February 28th through early July.  Afterwards, roadwork shifts to the final section between US 31W Bypass and Saint John Road with major construction expected to wrap up in late October.  Dressing and striping will take place with an overall completion date of the US 31W rehabilitation project currently set for December 5th.

Variable Message Boards are in place in advance of the construction zone and will continue to update motorists on important work zone information.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 4 Office will continue issuing press releases via traditional media outlets, social media and the US31W.org project website.  Please be aware dates and times released in these notices can change due to weather, status of materials and other significant construction circumstances.

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

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

Prep and Application of Final Surface

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Sep. 14, 2021) – Final surfacing is ready to begin along the US 31W section north of KY 3005 (Ring Road). Crews are installing ground loop sensors and making final adjustments ahead of the top layer application.  

Lane closures will continue between 9pm and 6am each night this week as these final preparations take place.  

Completion of final surfacing is expected by the end of September.

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

New Signal and Entrance Configuration in the Starlite Area

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Aug. 24, 2021) – Motorists now have new signal and entrance configurations in the Starlite area along the US 31W project in Elizabethtown. The signal directly into Starlite Center has been permanently deactivated. What this means for motorists is northbound traffic can make a right into Starlite Center from northbound US 31W and traffic can make a right out of Starlite Center onto northbound US 31W.  Left turns to southbound US 31W from Starlite Center are no longer possible.

Construction is currently underway in the median through this section and when complete (though temporarily restricted), left turns into Starlite Center from southbound US 31W will be possible. Until the median is finished, southbound motorists needing access to Starlite Center will turn left at the Starlite Drive signal or continue to the intersection at Walmart Drive to make a U-turn and use the previously mentioned right turn into Starlite Center. 

The entrance and signal at Starlite Drive, just to the north, is now constructed and active.  This is the new centralized access point for general access to locations along the northbound side of US 31. 

A graphic showing the final look of lane and signal configurations is included below.  This information is also available with additional detail on the us31w.org website. 

Current schedules for construction indicate work on the US 31W section north of Ring Road will be complete in mid-September.

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

Intersection Closures Planned During Overnights This Week

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (July 29, 2021) – Intersection closures will be taking place on southbound US 31W each night this week along and north of Ring Road through the construction zone. Crews will be milling, paving and tying in entrances. The following intersections will be affected:

• Ring Road
• Walmart Drive
• Starlite Center
• Starlite Drive/Towne Drive
• Childers Court

Work prompting these closures will take place beginning tonight (Monday) through Friday, between 9pm and 6am in a continuing effort to minimize disruptions during peak traffic hours.  

Walmart Drive and Ring Road will not be closed at the same time.

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

Traffic Switch To Be Completed Tonight As The Next Phase Of Work Begins

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (July 2, 2021) – Contractor crews will complete a traffic switch tonight on US 31W, as northbound motorists are shifted to outside lanes between the Ring Road and Veterans Way/Pear Orchard Road intersections. Southbound motorists will be shifted to the middle of the roadway through this section. Work to install the transition will begin at 9pm and should be complete by 6am.

Due to construction phasing, there will be differences in pavement elevations and drainage structures (bumps) throughout the project. Northbound and southbound traffic will continue to be divided by a double yellow line.

The current schedule has this phase lasting approximately 4 weeks as construction progresses on the southbound side.

Motorists should exercise additional caution, continue paying close attention to signs and be prepared for changing traffic patterns and conditions.

For complete details on the project, visit the website: www.US31W.org

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

Traffic Shift and Starlite Drive Closure to Take Place Over the Next Few Days

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (May 20, 2021) – Two significant changes are coming in the next few days with progression of work on US 31W through Elizabethtown.

The contractor will be switching traffic alignment through the work zone on Friday night (May 21).  Northbound traffic will shift left, to the middle of the roadway, just before the Ring Road intersection and continue in this path up to the Veterans Way/Pear Orchard Road intersection before shifting back into existing northbound lanes. Northbound and southbound traffic will only be divided by a double yellow line during this phase. There will be “bumps” due to differences in pavement elevations and drainage structures throughout the project. Work to initiate the shift will begin at 9pm Friday and should be complete 6am Saturday. Based on current schedules, this phase will be in place approximately eight weeks.

As part of the project plan, reconstruction and realignment of Starlite Drive as it intersects with US 31W will begin on Monday, May 24. Starlite Drive will be closed from US 31W to the rear of the Hogan Commercial Property at the access to Starlite Village behind it. All traffic will need to exit through the Starlite Village area and its connection to the Walmart Parking lot. The connection between the Hogan Commercial Property at Olive Garden to Kmart Drive will also be closed. Kmart Drive and Starlite Center Drive to the Hogan Commercial Property will still be accessible from US 31W. Based on current schedules, this portion of the project will take approximately four weeks to complete.

Also Monday, May 24, the contractor will be closing the right turn exit from the Kohl’s/Zaxby’s parking lot to US 31W north for completion of the phased construction in this area. Traffic will still be able to enter this area via the right turn from US 31W north but in order to exit everyone will have to proceed through the Kohl’s parking lot and to the signal at the intersection of Northcrest Drive and US 31W (between Cheddar’s and IHOP). The closure will begin at 8am and the closure will last approximately two weeks.

Motorists should exercise additional caution, continue paying close attention to signs and be prepared for changing traffic patterns and conditions.

For complete details on the project, visit the website: www.US31W.org

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

Median Blockages on US 31W at Walmart Drive and Starlite Center Drive/Town Center Access

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (May 7, 2021) – The median portion of US 31W at Walmart Drive and Starlite Center Drive/Town Center Access will be blocked at various times tonight, May 7th.  Work will begin at 9pm and will be complete by 6am.

Traffic on these two entrances will only be able to turn right at US 31W.  Motorists will not be able to turn left or continue straight across.

US 31W motorists will not be able to make left turns onto these two entrances but can proceed to the next intersection and make a U-Turn movement back to these entrances.

Message Boards will be in place to provide advance notice.

Additional information on the US 31W reconstruction project is available here: http://us31w.org

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

Partial Closure of KY 3005 (Ring Road) Intersection Sunday Night

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Mar. 26, 2021) – The median portion of US 31W at KY 3005 (Ring Road) will be closed for milling and paving operations Sunday night, March 28th. Work will begin at 9pm and will be complete by 6am.

Traffic on Ring Road (from either side of US 31W) will only be able to turn right at US 31W. Ring Road motorists will not be able to turn left or continue straight across.

Northbound and southbound traffic on US 31W will be able to turn right onto Ring Road or continue straight. US 31W motorists will not be able to make left turns onto Ring Road.

Message Boards will be in place to provide advance notice.

Additional information on the US 31W reconstruction project is available here: http://us31w.org

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Mar. 23, 2021) – Traffic will be impacted by median work tonight and Wednesday night along the US 31W project in Elizabethtown.

The following intersections will become right in/right out movements. Traffic on intersecting roads or entrances to US 31W cannot make left turns or go straight across to the opposite side of US 31W. Thru traffic on US 31W will not be restricted.

Tonight, March 23rd:

• Childress Court/Mall Park at US 31W – 9pm to 6am
• Towne Drive/Starlite Drive at US 31W – 9pm to 6am

Wednesday night, March 24th:

• Towne Mall/Starlite Center at US 31W – 9pm to 6am
• Walmart Drive at US 31W – 9pm to 6am

Additionally, varying lane closures will be taking place. Motorists are reminded to pay close attention to signs when approaching and traveling through the construction zone.

Additional information is available at www.us31w.org

Contact: Chris Jessie
270-766-5066 (office)
270-619-2577 (cell)
Chris.Jessie@ky.gov