Nearly $1.9 million road project to kick off in Crittenden County

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – A nearly $1.9 million project kicks off next week at Crittenden County schools.

The project is to enhance safety and accessibility. Contractors expect work on a new turn lane and other enhancements will begin along U.S. Highway 60 in Marion on May 28.

Crews will  start on a center turn lane that will serve two school entrances near the Crittenden County Middle School and High School complex. It will also serve two hospital entrances at the Crittenden County Hospital.

The turn lane will extend about a quarter mile west of the school entrance to connect with Country Club Drive, where buses turn to access the elementary school about a mile away.

“Team Kentucky places a high priority on ensuring that all of our students, parents, teachers and staff have a safe way to travel,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “We are excited that this project is starting, and construction is expected to be near completion by the time school resumes in mid-August.”

Gov. Beshear announced plans in 2021 to invest $24.5 million to improve highway safety near schools and protect families by funding more than 60 highway safety projects across 43 counties.

The safety projects include new turn lanes and crosswalks to improved pavement markings and signage. Thirty-eight projects have been completed to date. Another 13 are under contract for construction.

“Team Kentucky is dedicated to meeting our promise to provide safe and efficient travel routes to work and school for everyone in the commonwealth,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Our team is dedicated to seeing this turn lane and other safety projects like it completed.”

Not only will the project improve access to the school complex and hospital, it will also reduce congestion for drivers traveling the busy U.S. 60 corridor to and from work.

About 4,000 vehicles travel U.S. 60 through the project area in an average day.

The project includes replacement of an aging culvert. It also includes replacement of several smaller culverts and other enhancements with paving along more than three miles of U.S. 60 immediately west of the turn lane project.

Work on the turn lane is expected to start May 28 with one-lane traffic controlled by an automated signal.

Jim Smith Contracting is the prime contractor. It is a nearly $1.9 million project and expected to be complete in August 2024.

Some lane closures will be required through the summer to facilitate some phases of the work.