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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear, local officials dedicate rebuilt ‘Rock Crusher Curve’
Treacherous section of US 60 is straightened at Olive Hill
OLIVE HILL, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today joined with local officials in Carter County to celebrate completion of a $12 million project to widen and straighten a treacherous stretch of US 60 long known to area residents – and emergency responders – as Rock Crusher Curve.
“We build highways that make it easier to travel and easier to do business. But first and foremost, we want to build highways that are safe and help protect the lives of those who travel them,” Gov. Beshear said during a dedication ceremony at West Carter Middle School, in Olive Hill.
“When I see the reconstruction of Rock Crusher Curve – and when I see a generation of future drivers represented here at West Carter Middle School – I can’t think of a project that better exemplifies our goals,” Gov. Beshear said.
“As a little girl, I traveled ‘Rock Crusher Curve’ with my mother, an Olive Hill graduate, and former Governor Wendell Ford and often heard their discussion on the need for remediation. I am thrilled to have accomplished this remediation in my legislative tenure,” said Sen. Robin Webb, of Grayson. “It has been a priority of mine as a state representative and now as a senator. I offer my thanks to former Senator Charlie Borders and Governor Steve Beshear for their work.”
“Road improvements are one of my top priorities as State Representative and I am glad to see this project completed,” said Rep. Jill York, of Grayson. “The work completed here in Olive Hill will make great strides toward improving our citizens’ safety.”
Bizzack Construction LLC was awarded an $11.7 million contract in August 2007 to straighten 1.5 miles of us 60 between Olive Hill and Interstate 64. The section included Rock Crusher Curve, a horseshoe bend that skirted a rock quarry.
The infamous curve was familiar territory for emergency responders, who could count on a serious crash about once a month, said Jim Webb, chairman of the county ambulance board.
“Now, a call surprises us,” he said. “The improvements made out there have been a blessing – a true blessing.”
In addition to eliminating Rock Crusher Curve, the project corrected numerous “sight distance” hazards between I-64 and KY 1025, just east of Olive Hill. The KY 1025 intersection, which leads to West Carter High School, was rebuilt to eliminate an S-curve. A center turn lane was added in certain sections to help prevent or reduce backed-up traffic, and a new, 500-foot bridge was constructed over Tygarts Creek.
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