The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced a start date for construction on Northern Kentucky’s first jug handle project.
U.S. 42 and KY 842 “jug handle” project. Click to enlarge
The upgrade is designed to improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion at the intersection of U.S. 42 and KY 842 (Weaver Road and Hopeful Church Road) in Florence. Work will start the week of August 13.
“Jug handle” or “half-loop” are nicknames of the design, which will eliminate left turns at the current intersection of U.S. 42 and KY 842 and divert left turning traffic onto a new road (Quadrant Road) at the southwest “quadrant” of U.S. 42 and Weaver Road.
Through traffic and right turns will continue to be permitted at the intersection at U.S. 42 and KY 842, but left-turning traffic will be directed to the new Quadrant Road, where it will loop back around to the current intersection and continue through or turn right.
This concept was chosen because moving traffic to different locations and onto the new Quadrant Road allows the signal timing at the original U.S. 42 and KY 842 intersection to be adjusted to reduce wait time at the light. This results in better traffic flow on U.S. 42.
As some studies have shown that right turns are faster than left turns, traffic diverted onto Quadrant Road should also see improved travel times compared to the current intersection configuration.
Quadrant Road will end at both the U.S. 42 and the Weaver Road intersection, with drivers making either a left or right turn at the traffic signal. Without the through movement at those intersections, wait time at the signal will decrease, improving travel time and reducing conflict points within the overall project area.
“The jug handle design will reduce the travel time of the 43,000 vehicles that come through at this intersection in a 24 hour period,” said Bob Yeager, chief district engineer for KYTC District 6.
In the early phases of construction, there will be minimal impact to traffic because the focus will be on building the new road. As the project progresses, traffic islands at the intersection will be added.
When that phase is complete, traffic will move onto the new alignment to allow drivers to get used to the new pattern. The project has a projected completion date of June 2019.
Dudley Construction Company, Inc. of Florence was awarded the low bid contract for $3.2 million.
Early phases of the construction project will be done off the roadway and should not affect traffic. You can get traffic information for District 6 counties at facebook.com/KYTCDistrict6 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict6.
KTYC District 6
