Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTYC) District 3
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has improved two major areas with resurfacing on two highly traveled routes in Bowling Green. A section of US 231 (Campbell Lane) near the intersection with Industrial Drive was resurfaced. A large section of US 231 (Scottsville Road) underwent a resurfacing and safety improvement project earlier this summer. The section of US 231 (Scottsville Road) between the US 31-W Bypass and Wilkinson Trace was resurfaced with the section between Smallhouse Road and Wilkinson Trace resurfaced and re-striped to include a center turn lane. We were able to use the existing roadway to re-stripe the roadway to put the center turn lane in. This will improve safety and flow in that section of US 231 (Scottsville Road).
A left turn lane was also recently added on US 68 (Russellville Road) to Old Tram Road. Motorists will no longer have to sit in the left lane of US 68 to turn left onto Old Tram Road.
Several bridge approaches on I-165 and on the connector road at Exit 30 on I-65 have been repaired and improved. The connector road is fairly new with several bridges on it that had rough approaches form due to bridge settling. Those approaches have been repaired and the bridge on I-165 over I-65 also had its bridge approaches repaired.
City of Bowling Green
The City has completed several projects in recent months. One includes the construction of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Dishman Lane and Industrial Drive. The signal was installed to help improve traffic congestion and safety at this location, as well as address pedestrian crossing needs. Additionally, sidewalk on Butler Way was reconstructed from Warren Way to Collegeview Drive as part of the City’s annual sidewalk rehabilitation program. The City’s Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Paving contract that will rehabilitate approximately 20 miles of streets is wrapping up as well. This contract includes various roadway repairs and upgrades to numerous sidewalk handicap ramps in addition to street paving. The City is currently assessing streets to add to the FY2021 Paving contract.
The construction for the widening of Shive Lane Phase I was completed in June. The goal of this project was to improve traffic and pedestrian safety by adding a center turn lane to Shive Lane between Scottsville Road and Ken Bale Boulevard. A single lane roundabout was also constructed at the intersection with Ken Bale Boulevard to reduce morning and afternoon peak delays. Sidewalk was installed along the entire length of the project as well. The design of the second phase of Shive Lane widening is complete which will continue up through Middlebridge Road. Planning for a third and final phase is underway that will continue to Lovers Lane where a new traffic signal will be installed.
Additionally, the installation of small neighborhood roundabouts was recently completed. These include roundabouts at the intersections of Parkside Dr. / Cove Drive, North Sunrise Dr. / Woodway St. / Cove Drive, and Crossings Blvd. / Chasefield Avenue. With the success of the University Boulevard and US 31W Bypass, the City is hopeful to install more roundabouts in the future where intersection and site conditions allow.
Another project that is in the planning/design phase includes 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 construction of the Southwest Parkway and connector road also began earlier this year. This project will construct two roadways within 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 is committed to providing a walkable community and therefore the City allocates funds to build new sidewalk in areas that show a need. Each fiscal year, the Bowling Green City Commission assigns approximately $500,000 to the City’s Sidewalk Construction Program, with the purpose of identifying locations and constructing sidewalks in areas where none currently exist. Fiscal Year 2020 funding will be for the construction of sidewalk along Loving Way, Holly Drive, Highland Way and North Lee Drive. Design is wrapping up and construction will begin this fall.
The Public Works Department continues to work with the City’s Neighborhood & Community Services Department to provide better pedestrian connections throughout our community. 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 and key destinations in the West End, and will ultimately improve problematic intersection crossings within the project area.