Reconstruction projects proposed

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During a public meeting at White Hall Elementary on Thursday, Elizabeth McCullough, right, a highway designer with the Transportation Cabinet, shows Bridget McGovern one of three alternates being proposed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area around Exit 95 of I-75. Nancy Taggart

July 31, 2010

By Tim Mandell Register News Writer The Richmond Register Sat Jul 31, 2010, 12:00 PM EDT

RICHMOND — The public had an opportunity to ask questions and view proposed changes to the interchange at I-75 at KY 627 and the Colonel Road and Simpson Road intersection, during an informal meeting Thursday at White Hall Elementary School.

Both projects are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Reconstruction of the interchange is being proposed to improve traffic congestion and safety in the area around Exit 95.

The area is typically backed up during the afternoon commute.

The intersection project involves relocation of the existing Colonel Road and Simpson Road intersection to approximately 800 feet to the east to improve traffic and increase safety.

“The purpose of this meeting is to allow the public to review the alternate plans that we have proposed and give any pertinent communication whether they are for or against any of them,” said highway designer Randy Toy, the project manager of the reconstruction.

“We’re here to hear all comments,” he said. “This is about information gathering.”

Comments will be taken to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s central office and a preliminary grade inspection is planned in about six months, Toy said.

There is expected to be a public hearing in September to present a more detailed proposal, Toy said.

Maps of each proposal were displayed and representatives of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet were on hand to answer questions and explain each proposal.

Thomas Azbill, who takes Exit 95 home from work each night, said he always gets trapped at the light off the ramp and has spent as long as 40 minutes waiting to turn.

“If you get stuck, it takes at least two lights to get through,” he said. “I’m hoping they put in another turn lane to make it go faster.”

There are three alternates being proposed for the interchange project.

Alternate A is is referred to as a tight diamond interchange, Alternate B is referred to as a diverging diamond Interchange and Alternate D is referred to as a traditional diamond interchange, according to information from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The tight diamond interchange involves a relatively tight spacing of the ramp intersections on either side of I-75 — approximately 400 feet apart, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The diverging diamond involves a slightly wider separation, with KY 627 traffic between the intersections using the left side of the roadway and then weaving through a signal return to the right side of the roadway outside the ramp intersections.

The traditional diamond involves a separation between the ramp intersections similar to the diverging diamond, but KY 627 traffic through the interchange remains on the right side of the road, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

There are three alternates being proposed to the intersection project.

Alternate 1 and 2 are similar to the plan of relocating the existing Colonel Road/Simpson Road intersection to approximately 800 feet to the east.

Alternate 2 involves a slight shift in the alignment in Simpson Lane to avoid some construction over the existing high pressure gas lines and a shift in the alignment south of KY 627 to provide a smoother flowing alignment approaching the intersection, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Alternate 3 is a slight variation of Alternate 2 involving use of curb and gutter along Simpson Road, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Doug Cobb, who lives off KY 627, took a look at the maps Thursday and asked questions, but said he has yet to form an opinion about each alternate.

“I’m just curious,” he said. “My church, Tates Creek Baptist Church, is there and I wanted to see if affects it.”

Several business owners, or representative of businesses, were on hand to see how the proposed changes might affect them.

Mike Faulkner, who owns Tebco of Kentucky, a truck equipment and body company located on White Hall Shrine Road, said driving can get dangerous in the afternoon around his business.

“There’s an immediate problem that needs to be fixed,” he said. “In the afternoon, traffic builds up. The problem needs to be solved.”

Doug Voth, representing Spectra Energy, was trying to determine how the proposed changes might affect three natural gas pipelines in the area.

“If they relocate Simpson Lane, it will cross over us, but I think we’re good,” he said. “I’m pleased about the minimal impact on us.”

Following the September public hearing, an alternate will be selected for each project to use in developing right of way and construction plans, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

No construction date has been scheduled.

Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.

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