KYTC wants community feedback on possible U.S. 60 improvement

Mary Jane Epling, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
Updated ·4 min read

Dec. 8—GRAHN — Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) conducted a public meeting on Thursday evening for community feedback on a potential project to improve a 1.1-mile stretch of U.S. 60 to the I-64 interchange at Pleasant Valley.

In 2009, KYTC's District 9 completed a project to eliminate curves, and expand and align U.S. 60 in an area just east of Olive Hill, largely affecting the area referred to as Rock Crusher Curve.

Information Officer Allen Blair said while the anticipated project in 2023 isn't exactly a continuation of the work from 2009, much of the project will continue improvements from that general area to the I-64 junction.

At the public meeting at Carter County Career and Technical Center, attendees were shown four different options, or alternatives, of possible road improvements from the portion of U.S. 60 running alongside Valley Quarry and Cosmic Cheer's complex.

Information provided to the community said the future project was proposed "to address the current roadway deficiencies," including narrow shoulders and sight distance issues at intersections and hilltops.

According to KYTC, the project's main focus is on improving safety and connectivity "for this region of Carter County."

During a brief presentation about the project, representatives said more than 6,000 vehicles travel the corridor along U.S. 60 from I-64's interchange to the quarry — making safety a legitimate concern.

In the presentation, residents were shown four proposed alternatives to the existing roadway, ranging in state funded costs from nearly $30.5 million to $23.35 million.

A questionnaire allowed respondents to submit their existing problems with U.S. 60, select how often they travel the route and if their interest in the project arises from residential, commercial or farm ownership.

Displayed throughout the room, large aerial maps depicted the proposed improvements compared to the existing path. Within the questionnaire, those interested could select any of the four options and rank them from most to least liked.

Respondents also had the opportunity to keep the roadway as is.

A representative of the project said while the public meeting was the first step in the major milestones to come, the project entirely depended upon the department's allocated budget from the state legislature — who will convene a new session next month.

The following alternatives are summarized for public feedback, which will be collected until Jan. 7.

More information can be found at transportation.ky.gov/DistrictNine.

Representatives anticipate the project — depending on feedback and state funds — would not begin until late 2024 and into 2025.

Alternative 1: A fairly straight-shot, two-lane rural roadway with paved shoulders leaving the existing roadway at the quarry. The route will include truck climbing lanes over the hill and will continue behind Pleasant Valley Cemetery, rejoining the exiting roadway at the truck stop. A two-way left turn lane will be added through the I-64 interchange.

The project's estimated cost is approximately $30.5 million and will cause two residential and one commercial relocation.

Alternative 2: Similar to Alternative 1 with two-lanes, truck climbing lanes, and beginning near the quarry, this option deviates south, running behind residences but stopping short of Ky. 182 before deviating back toward the path of Alternative 1.

The project's estimated cost is a little more than $29.5 million and will also result in three total relocations.

Alternative 3: A three-lane section with curb and gutter following the exiting roadway. While this option will not include truck climbing lanes, the curve at Ky. 182 would see improvement and hilltops between the truck stop and Ky. 182 would be flattened. The roadway reconstruction would stop at the truck stop but the road through the interchange would be repaved.

The total estimated cost is a little more than $23.3 million but would result in 12 residential and three commercial relocations.

Alternative 4: Like Alternative 3, follows the existing roadway corridor and makes improvements to curves and grade. Roadway section woudl begin as a two-lane rural with paved shoulders. A three-lane section would be added near KY 182 and ending at the truck stop.

Estimated costs for Option 4 is nearly $25 million with 15 relocations, 12 residential and three commercial, anticipated.