|
Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear announces opening of new interchange on I-264
Federal Highway Administration officials join in celebration
 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear, joined by officials of Louisville Metro and the Federal Highway Administration, today announced the opening of a new interchange on Interstate 264 at Westport Road.
The interchange is part of a $47 million federally funded project that includes the widening of Westport Road between Hubbards Lane and I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and addition of an auxiliary lane at the exit ramp from eastbound Watterson to US 42 (Brownsboro Road).
It is the first interchange to be added to the Watterson since the expressway was extended from US 60 (Shelbyville Road) to I-71 in the early 1970s.
“This project has been eagerly anticipated by the community and is badly needed,” Gov. Beshear said. “As the Westport Road area grew year after year, the disadvantages of not having an interchange in this location became more and more apparent.”
Average traffic count on Westport Road near the Watterson is 19,600 vehicles per day. The Watterson’s traffic count in the same area is 71,400 vehicles per day. Without a direct interchange, motorists trying to reach Westport Road had to exit at Shelbyville Road or Brownsboro Road, causing congestion in both locations.
“Numerous businesses, including exciting new developments like Westport Village, and local residents have been counting down the days to the completion of this interchange,” said Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3). “The new project will reduce traffic and bring new customers to the area.”
Construction began in the fall of 2008 on this final segment of a 20-year plan to construct an interchange at I-264 and widen Westport Road from two lanes to five lanes from Hubbards Lane to Hurstbourne Parkway – a distance of 4.3 miles. The roadway has already been widened from the Watterson to Hurstbourne Parkway.
The design is a single point urban interchange (SPUI) and the ramp configuration is similar to the interchange at Bardstown Road. A signal will control the flow of traffic from the ramps and on Westport Road.
Mayor Abramson, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, and Congressman Yarmuth said completion of the interchange will improve travel for thousands of drivers each day.
“It will not only relieve congestion in the area, but will also give people easier access to their homes and surrounding businesses,” Mayor Abramson said. “This is the first interchange added to the Watterson in some 40 years, and it will serve our city well.”
Construction was by Hall Contracting of Kentucky Inc. Work included sidewalks along both sides of Westport Road and sound barriers along I-264 at the interchange. When the final pavement markings are installed, bicycle lanes will be striped on Westport Road between Hubbards Lane and Herr Lane.
Completion of stimulus-funded ‘Revive 65’ project celebrated
Governor Beshear, Administrator Mendez and Mayor Abramson also celebrated the completion of “Revive 65” – a $30.5 million project to replace badly deteriorated concrete pavement on Interstate 65 near Louisville International Airport.
Most of the funding for the project – $18 million – was from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
“This has been a very significant project,” Gov. Beshear said. “The tens of thousands of people who drive I-65 every day knew that this roadway needed serious attention. But this project was only possible because of the Recovery Act. That funding enabled us to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation of this roadway, rather than piecemeal patching and repairs.”
“This is what the Recovery Act was designed to do – to invest in needed improvements that put people to work immediately while generating long-term job creation and economic growth,” said Congressman Yarmuth.
“Revive 65 is great example of our stimulus dollars at work,’’ said Mayor Abramson. “Millions of ARRA dollars helped us update decades-old concrete and provide citizens with a smoother drive. From streets to sidewalks, more improvements, fueled by stimulus funding, will come to fruition this spring and fall throughout Metro Louisville. These projects will make a long-term difference for the city’s infrastructure.”
Said Administrator Mendez: “In addition to being good for people, commerce and the economy, these two projects represent infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone who lives in or drives through Louisville.”
During Revive 65, concrete pavement, originally laid in 1988, was replaced with asphalt on three miles of I-65 between the Watterson Expressway and Fern Valley Road. Crews also repaired erosion beneath the road bed that had caused concrete slabs to settle unevenly.
A tri-venture of three companies – Hall Contracting of Kentucky, Louisville Paving Co. and Hinkle Construction Co. – began construction in September 2009, and mainline paving was completed in November.
Revive 65 was among 108 Kentucky highway projects that were funded with $421 million from ARRA. As a result of ARRA projects, the equivalent of 1,386 full-time jobs were created or sustained, and $22.6 million of payroll was generated.
“The Recovery Act had one primary purpose – to put Americans, and Kentuckians, to work – and that is exactly what it has done,” Gov. Beshear said.
“The President's recovery plan is putting people back to work across the nation, in cities and towns in urban and rural areas," Administrator Mendez said. "The Revive 65 project not only resulted in badly needed improvement of a very important commercial artery, it also helped the economy in Louisville and throughout Kentucky.”
###
|