23/645 intersection to get upgrades starting May 8

HIGHWAY DISTRICT 12 – Monday, April 29, 2019 – A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet safety improvement project at two busy intersections, one in Lawrence County, and one in Coal Run, Pike County, is set to begin next week, Wednesday, May 8. Both sites will be construction work zones, so motorists are reminded to slow down and pay close attention to what is happening around them as they drive through these areas. Lane closures are not expected, but workers and equipment will be present throughout each work zone.

Arrow Electric Company of Louisville was awarded a $256,087.00 contract to enhance safety at the intersection of US 23 and KY 645 (mile point 5.953) in Lawrence County and the intersection of US 23 and Power Drive in Coal Run, Pike County (mile points 27.937-28.155). Work will start at both sites next week; the contractor expects to work four ten-hour days each week, Mondays through Thursdays. There could be some adjustment in the work schedule, depending on weather. Completion date for the project is August 31 this year.

In Lawrence County, work includes installation of concrete pole foundations, underground conduits and junction boxes, signal poles; signal heads, cable, and associated signal hardware for caution lights; electrical service, lighting cabinets, light poles, signs, and thermo-striping.

At Coal Run, work includes roadway lighting on both the northbound and southbound lanes and extension of the northbound left turn lane, adding 200 feet of space so that more vehicles can safely line up to make the left turn across oncoming southbound traffic.

D12 Chief District Engineer Mary Westfall-Holbrook said that drivers will have much-improved lighting at both intersections. “Drivers should find a significant improvement in the ease and safety of negotiating turns on and off US 23 at each of these sites,” she said. “This is what we call an HSIP contract (Highway Safety Improvement Project), funded by the state and the Federal Highway Administration specifically to address safety issues on state-maintained roads and bridges.”

Even though no lane closures or traffic delays are expected, Westfall-Holbrook reminded motorists that both sites are considered active work zones and should be traveled with caution. “Most people injured in work zone wrecks are motorists and their passengers,” she pointed out. “People who are working on the roadway are vulnerable, too, but it is a statistical fact that most of the fatalities and injuries are among people traveling through the area of construction.” Buckle up, pay attention, be safe out there!