Officials work to think beyond the state’s 6-year road plan to anticipate area’s needs for traffic
By ROBYN L. MINOR, The Daily News,
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011 11:30 AM CDT
Transportation officials are constantly planning for the area’s road needs, looking beyond the state’s six-year road plan and including unscheduled or unfunded needs.
On Monday, the Bowling Green-Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization heard about 13 area projects being considered for inclusion on such an unscheduled needs list, according to Jeff Moore, chief of the Division of Planning for the Department of Highways in Bowling Green.
Being placed on the list is often the first step in building momentum, public support and eventually funding for the project.
One project likely to be considered for inclusion is Three Springs Road. Two sections of the road are already slated and funded for improvements from Scottsville Road to Flea Land.
“This will take a look at the road from Flea Land to Natcher (Parkway overpass),” Moore said.
The suggestion of improvements to the heavily traveled road surfaced as the state studied the feasibility of adding an interchange for Natcher Parkway. There was some discussion that a portion of the road would need to move for such a project, which was eventually rejected.
“Well, the road is staying where it is and now, how do we fix it?” Moore asked.
Over the coming months, such questions will be answered at least in theory on this project and the 12 others, including seven for Warren County. Allen, Butler, Monroe and Barren counties each have one project. Two are in Logan County, including one that looks at realigning an intersection of Ky. 103 with the old U.S. 68 in downtown Auburn. That project is at the Minit Mart.
One of the other large gap projects in Warren County looks at what improvements are needed for a more than 5-mile stretch of U.S. 31-W from Ky. 242 to the Warren-Simpson county line.
Moore said development, including the new South Warren Middle and High School, is the impetus for looking at that section of road.
The MPO heard about other ongoing transportation projects from Greg Meredith, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways. Meredith said bid lettings scheduled for Friday are still on track for the Interstate 65 interchange at Greenwood, U.S. 31-W from Natcher Parkway to Dillard Road and the expansion of I-65 to six lanes from Park City to just past Cave City.
Meredith said a ribbon cutting is set for Nov. 3 to signal the opening of the Natcher Parkway extension.
Bowling Green Public Works Director Jeff Lashlee said the final coat of pavement is down on the widened Old Morgantown Road and crews are working on its striping.
“I think this project will make a significant difference to businesses and residents in that area,” Lashlee said.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 10:57