City of Bowling Green
The City of Bowling Green Public Works Department is continuing to improve local infrastructure, despite some budget restrictions due to COVID-19. Projects that are in the planning and/or design phase include Phase II of the Downtown Improvements projects. Phase I was completed late in 2019 and addressed deteriorating public infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle accessibility, and street lighting primarily around Fountain Square Park. The second phase will focus on streetscape improvements on College and State Streets from Spring Alley to 6th Avenue, including portions of 8th Avenue and Main Avenue (east and west of the downtown square). The City has funding in the current budget for the construction.
Additionally, design is underway for the final two phases of the Shive Lane Improvements. In June of this year, Phase I was completed which widened Shive Lane to 3 lanes from Scottsville Road to Ken Bale Boulevard and also included a roundabout at Ken Bale Boulevard to aid in alleviating traffic congestion and increasing motorist and pedestrian safety. The final two phases will continue the widening from this intersection and continue to Lovers Lane. With this construction, an additional roundabout will be included at the intersection with Middle Bridge Road and a traffic signal will be installed at Lovers Lane near the Searcy Way connection. A multi-use path is included along the length of both phases.
The construction of the Southwest Parkway continues and should wrap up early this fall. This project will construct two roadways adjacent to the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park that will connect Kobe Way to Russellville Road. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has agreed to fund all design, property acquisition, utility relocation, and construction for this project while the City provides construction oversight and project administration. The major goals of the project are to improve safety and promote economic development within the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park.
The City’s Annual Overlay contract was awarded in September. This project will include approximately 14 miles of paving City streets which includes necessary rehabilitation and adjacent handicap ramp upgrades. The project should begin early this fall.
The City is committed to providing a walkable community and therefore the City allocates funds to build new sidewalk in areas that show a need. Each year candidate projects are prioritized based upon a set scoring system to determine where funds will be spent. Design is wrapping up for portions of sidewalk along Loving Way, Holly Drive, Highland Way and North Lee Drive. Construction will likely follow in early 2021.
The Public Works Department continues to work with the City’s Neighborhood & Community Services Department to provide better pedestrian connections throughout the city. Sidewalk will soon be constructed along Johnson Drive and Dennis Way. Additionally, a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant awarded to the City in conjunction with the (former) Greenways Commission will provide pedestrian and bicycle connections between existing downtown greenways facilities, key destinations in the West End, and will ultimately improve problematic intersection crossings. Finally, grant funds have also allowed the City to extend its greenway system across Creekwood Avenue and across Jennings Creek. This extension has provided a connection to the Moss Middle School and Jennings Creek Elementary properties as well as the adjacent neighborhood.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 3
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has some great improvements for I-165 going on and upcoming. Currently, the I-165 northbound ramp to US 31-W Nashville Road is being widened to include dual left turn lanes onto Nashville Road. This should help relieve the traffic backup that takes place during peak times.
Also, a project to reconstruct the US 231 Morgantown Road interchange with I-165 was let recently. The current interchange is an older “toll booth plaza” interchange and the new interchange will be a standard diamond interchange. This will improve safety and function of the area. Construction is expected to begin next construction season, but some work will be done over the winter.
We recently held a virtual public meeting in partnership with the MPO on a feasibility study for a possible I-65 interchange in southern Warren County. More than 150 people participated in the meeting where a study done by consultant Michael Baker International was presented. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and were directed to an online survey to fill out.
Warren County
The Warren County Public Works Department recently completed construction on a new roundabout at the intersection of Smallhouse Road and Elrod Road. The project was constructed in response to increased residential development in the area, but seeks to serve the greater transportation needs of the community. Additionally, the Public Works Department is working on annual maintenance including mowing, trimming trees and pavement rehab as needed.