The part of Capital Avenue that runs between the rear of the State Capitol and the front of the Capitol Annex will permanently close to vehicular traffic Monday, according to the Finance and administration Cabinet.
Much like Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House was closed to vehicular traffic over 25 years ago in Washington, D.C., security considerations are the reason.
The loop between the rear of the Capitol and front of the Annex will be permanently closed.
Gov. Andy Beshear first mentioned the closure in September.
In an email sent to tenants of the Capitol building on Friday, the Cabinet stated:
“Upon recommendation of state and federal security professionals, bollards will be installed at the East and West ends of the portion of Capital Avenue that runs between the Capitol and the Annex, making the area between the floral clock and the Capitol rose garden accessible only to pedestrian traffic.”
The Cabinet said the proposal has been under consideration for 20 years.
“A site evaluation conducted by federal security partners after September 11, 2001, first recommended such additional security enhancements be taken at the State Capitol to reduce exposure to vehicle-borne explosive devices.”
The remainder of Capital Avenue will continue to be open, with traffic rerouted behind the Annex building. The parking lot to the East of the Annex will be accessible by entering the lower level of the parking garage or by driving behind the Capitol Annex.
Both Kentucky State Police and Frankfort fire and emergency services will have the ability to remove the bollards for emergency access to the Capitol Campus.
The current Fiscal Year budget includes an appropriation of $343,000 by the Kentucky General Assembly for the purpose of strengthening security on the Capitol campus, a portion of which will be used to cover the bollard installation.
This will be the second major security upgrade in the last year and a half on the State Capitol grounds.
During a May 2020 demonstration, armed protesters crossed barriers to reach the front door of the Governor’s Mansion and rapped on the glass trying to get Beshear to come out. Reportedly, he and his family were not home at the time. An ornamental iron fence was erected around the Mansion shortly after the incident.
Kentucky Today
