Traffic changes due to road construction

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FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Highways (KYDH) District 9 is informing northeast Kentucky motorists to plan ahead for traffic changes due to road construction on US 23, I-64, the AA Highway and others.

Allen Blair, public information officer of KYDH District 9, said he wanted to clarify changes in traffic patterns that have caused some motorists to become confused.

“Some people are confused about the traffic pattern change over on US 23 at Russell where ODOT’s new Ironton/Russell Bridge will be connecting. For some of the intersection work there at 23 they have had to change the traffic pattern on our highway, and we just want people to be aware of that,” Blair said.

Southbound US 23 motorists need to pay close attention to the signs for Ashland and Russell.

“It is slightly different, especially southbound US 23. So if you’re coming from Greenup and you’re going to go to Ashland or Russell, you’ve got to remember which lane and make sure that you watch the signs, because we have the south bound lanes of US 23, you need to keep right to stay on US 23 and go towards Ashland, and you need to keep left if you want to go to KY 244 which is the Russell viaduct to downtown Russell,” he said.

The current traffic patterns will continue through August of this year.

“I think we have seen some people that have been in that left lane up there, and they are forced to make a left, and they don’t understand, because most of those used to be through lanes,” he said. “But, they have had to shut down lanes in what will be the new intersection to do some work there to make the tie-in with the new bridge. The traffic pattern that is there now will be in effect until August. We just wanted to give the public a little reminder that some traffic patterns have changed. We’ve put up some message boards, but people just need to watch those and remember that if they are coming south towards Ashland to be in the right lane, and left it they want to go to Russell.”

Motorists should be cognizant of the following traffic changes:

On US 23 at Russell in Greenup County, the construction of the new Ironton-Russell bridge will create additional traffic impacts at the KY 244 (Russell viaduct) intersection through August. Currently, northbound and southbound US 23 is restricted to one lane past the intersection and bridge construction site. All southbound US 23 thru traffic should keep right to stay on US 23 south, while Russell-bound traffic should keep left for KY 244. Turn lanes will allow US 23 traffic access to KY 244 and downtown Russell via traffic signals.

On I-64 in Carter County, eastbound I-64 is one lane from mile marker 173 east of Grayson to mile marker 178 near the Industrial Parkway exit. It’s expected that one-lane work zone will shift farther east toward the Boyd County line within the week. Westbound I-64 is one lane between Exit 181 at Coalton to mile marker 176, and will shift westward as work progresses.

Paving on the AA Highway (KY 10) in Lewis County is under way, with one-lane work zones on the AA Highway between the Grayson spur (KY 9) and Trace Branch at the 11 mile marker near Garrison. Expected daily flagged traffic and delays.

Contractors have restricted the Jesse Stuart Memorial Bridge (KY 10) in Greenup County, which connects US 23 in Kentucky to US 52 in Ohio, to one-lane so old expansion joints can be safely replaced, which will mean traffic delays. Traffic is being controlled by temporary signals, and it’s likely wait times at signals will be lengthy – from three to nine minutes, or longer depending on amount traffic. Motorists can seek alternate routes between Ohio and Kentucky, if possible, using bridges at Ashland, Russell or Portsmouth to avoid the wait.

Motorists are should expect delays, and plan trips accordingly. Heavy traffic on US 23, I-64 and the AA Highway (KY 10) in these areas is typical. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced in all work zones.

For updated traffic information, follow Highway District 9’s Road Reports online at http://bit.ly/D9Roads or on social media at http://twitter.com/kytcdistrict9, http://facebook.com/kytcdistrict9. For statewide travel information, call 511, or visit http://511.ky.gov online.

By Portia Williams

[email protected]

Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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