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KYTC launches study to identify improvements for the I75/I-275 interchange and surrounding area


The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has launched a scoping study to identify and evaluate alternatives to reduce congestion, improve travel safety and promote better connectivity at the I-75/I-275 interchange and near vicinity.

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KYTC’s goal is to identify planned improvements by early 2020 and expects construction to be completed in phases, as funding allows.

As part of its project development process, KYTC is conducting an online survey to gather information from drivers about how they use the interchange and where they tend to experience problems.

The information they provide will be used in conjunction with technical data to help prepare and evaluate improvement alternatives. The survey can be accessed on the project’s newly launched website, www.75275Interchange.org.

Addressing the I-75/I-275 interchange is a high priority for KTYC.

The I-75/I-275 interchange is critical to the flow of traffic throughout Northern Kentucky and those who live and work nearby.

Currently, it’s carrying more twice the level of traffic it was originally designed to handle. That, coupled with traffic merging to and from Donaldson, Turfway, and Dixie Highway and other nearby roads, has resulted in increasing amounts of congestion and travel delays.

As Northern Kentucky continues to experience rapid growth, particularly within Boone County and in areas near the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, these problems are expected to worsen unless improvements are made.

“It’s our job to make sure that our transportation system meets the needs of the population and the businesses located here,” said Bob Yeager, Chief District Engineer for KYTC, District 6. “We see the problems at the interchange, hear the public’s concerns and are committed to making improvements. Through this study and the modifications that come from it, we will be better able to support our existing communities and the tremendous economic growth taking place — not to mention the hundreds of new jobs that growth is creating.”

Interchange improvements will likely be completed in stages and phased in over time.

Planning phase schedule (click to enlarge)

KYTC anticipates that the preferred improvement plan that comes from the study will be comprised of several short-term and long-term solutions.

Improvements will most likely be phased in, though specific timing will not be known until construction funding has been secured.

“Right now, we are at the beginning of a multi-phase project development process,” said Mike Bezold, the I-75/I-275 Interchange Scoping Study project manager for KYTC. “Once we know what improvements we want to make and have the necessary funding in hand, we will focus on developing detailed project designs and construction plans, as well as performing any necessary right-of-way and utility coordination tasks. Then, we will be able to start working on construction.”

Currently, KYTC’s consultant team, led by Burgess & Niple of Louisville, is reviewing existing technical data, conducting studies and gathering additional information that will be used to develop and evaluate improvement alternatives.

An important part of the information being collected is input from the public which will help shape the alternatives and inform decision-making throughout each step of KYTC’s project development process. Information about public input opportunities, including links to the current survey, is available on the Public Input page of the project website.

Bezold also noted that once initial improvement alternatives have been developed, KYTC will share them with the public for review and consideration. The alternatives, as well as project progress updates and public meeting notices, will be posted on the project website. 

Additionally, updates will be shared through KYTC’s social media pages and through email updates. Anyone wishing to receive the email updates can sign up on the project website or send an email request to info@75275Interchange.org.

KYTC


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