EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY RESIDENTS LEARN ABOUT
US 42/KY 841 RAMP RELOCATION
April 2006 -- The first planned work in the Kentucky East End Approach
section generated considerable interest among those whom it will most affect.
A public open house, held April 27 at the First Baptist Church in Prospect, drew
more than 130 Harrods Creek and Prospect residents who came to learn more about
the US 42/KY 841 widening and ramp relocation.
Kentucky East End Approach section manager Jerry Leslie reviewed plans for moving
the KY 841 off-ramp from the Gene Snyder Freeway west of its current location, where
it will run parallel to the existing Snyder on-ramp from US 42. Members of
the community listened to presentations, and viewed exhibits and electronic displays
illustrating the work to come, which is scheduled to begin this June and be completed
by November 2006.
Leslie and other representatives of H.W. Lochner, Inc., the lead engineering design
firm for the Kentucky East End Approach, fielded a wide range of questions from
attendees, many of whom came to find out how the realignment will affect traffic
in the area, what hours the work will take place and how nearby neighborhoods will
be impacted.
Leslie indicated that work will be scheduled to minimize the impact on traffic in
the area. The contractor will generally be permitted to work from 7 a.m. to
7 p.m. with no lane closures or blasting permitted in the peak travel hours.
Some evening hours or weekend work could be permitted, if required, but will be
limited to times that will have limited impact to the adjoining neighborhoods.
The contractor will be required to partner with the City of Prospect and the community
in the development of activities. In addition to the off-ramp relocation,
new dual new left turn lanes will be added from US 42 to the Snyder on-ramp, and
a new traffic light at the intersection will be synchronized with the light at Wolf
Pen Branch Road.
With more than 2,700 vehicles an hour passing through the US 42/KY 841 intersection
at peak times, Leslie said the ramp relocation and related modifications are needed
and will improve traffic safety. He cited, as an example, that the off-ramp
relocation will move traffic exiting the Snyder away from the entrance to the Bridgepointe
neighborhood, making it easier for drivers exiting Bridgepointe to turn left onto
US 42.
Attendees also learned about the exploratory tunnel that will follow completion
of the KY 841 ramp relocation. Leslie explained that moving the current off-ramp
will make room for the exploratory tunnel bore, which will provide engineers with
geologic information important to the design of the twin 2,000-foot tunnels
below US 42 that will carry traffic to and from the East End Bridge.
Tunnel engineer Ray Blanchard, working on the Lochner Design Team, explained that
the exploratory tunnel work will take from 10-12 months to complete. The bore
will be approximately 12 feet high, 12 feet wide and 1,800 feet long, extending
from KY 841 beneath US 42, but not extending completely through on the northern
end.
If anyone has questions about the US 42/KY 841 ramp relocation, contact Jerry Leslie
at 859-224-4476. Further information about the work will be posted when it
becomes available.
US 42 to Bridgepointe
Exploratory Tunnel Access
Ramp
Preliminary
Mainline and Cross Sections