Kentucky.gov

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 Office in Covington wants to “check in” and provide updates and information pertaining to the “Revive the Drive – NKY” pavement rehabilitation projects on Interstates 71, 75, 275, and 471 in Northern Kentucky.

The bulk of the projects began this past April 2011 and will continue throughout the remainder of the year. 

For the past several weekends work has caused major backups on I-71/I-75 NB/SB in the Cut in the Hill area.

To better help traffic flow and frustrated drivers regarding the weekend work taking place between the 186 and 191 mile markers in Kenton County, “We want to remind motorists to be sure to use I-275 and detours when posted,” said Rob Hans, chief district engineer of the Covington District. “Artimis Message boards and signage are suggesting motorists to avoid the area and delays by taking I-275 EB to I-471 NB to continue to I-75/I-71 NB.”

1. I-75/I-71 NB/SB (MP 186-191) Cut in the Hill in Kenton County

This project is repairing and replacing faulty and settling sections of concrete pavement on I-75/I-71 NB and SB from the Rivard Drive underpass, which is north of Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell, to the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. In essence, the right two lanes in this 5 mile section are being replaced.  Work will also include joint repairs on several bridges, including the Brent Spence Bridge.  Once the NB side is complete, crews will move to the SB side.  Weather permitting, the switch to SB is anticipated to begin the second week of July. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

To help the traveling public better understand the task at hand, this particular stretch of interstate carries an average of 167,000 vehicles a day.  With this volume, work is restricted to night and weekends, which are non-peak travel times. Crews have been cutting sections of deteriorated pavement/concrete during night time hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Then beginning at 11 pm on Fridays, lane closures are put in place and the concrete removal begins.  Once the concrete is poured, there is a period of time required for the cure.  Recently some concerns have been raised that no workers or equipment can be seen, but that lanes are still closed.  This is likely the time when the concrete is gaining strength and hardening.  Once it meets the needed requirement, then the traffic control is removed, often sooner than the 5 a.m. Monday deadline.  This is also the process for the needed Brent Spence Bridge joint repairs on SB I-75.

2. I-71 SB and NB in Boone and Gallatin Counties

This project will address over 300 sections of base failures (potholes and ruts), repair four slide areas and install guardrail at various locations.   After this work is completed, the 18-mile project area that extends from the I-71/I-75 interchange to the vicinity of Sparta Exit 57 (77.7 – 59.7 mile marker) will be resurfaced with new asphalt.  Message boards are in place to warn motorists of the work zone and lane closures. Speed limit reduced to 55 mph. Crews will be working during weekdays only and no weekend work will take place.  This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

To allow travelers to plan accordingly, KYTC advises that there will be no major interstate projects conducted while the Kentucky Speedway is hosting its first NASCAR event.  On I-71 no construction will be taking place from June 30 – July 12^th.  As part of the overall traffic plan for Kentucky Speedway events, KYTC will be closing the I-75 NB ramp (Exit 173) to I-71 SB beginning Tuesday, July 5, 2011.  To prevent additional traffic impacts, construction crews will use this opportunity to do repairs on the ramp. A signed detour will be posted to direct traffic to proceed north on I-75, exit at Richwood (Exit 175) and re-enter I-75/I-71 SB to enter the I-71 SB ramp (Exit 173).  The ramp will re-open July 15, 2011. 

3. I-275 WB/EB from KY 9 (AA Highway) in Campbell County to US 25 (Dixie Highway) in Kenton County

This is a concrete pavement repair project that includes replacing all of the bridge decks; concrete exit and entrance ramps replaced as well as asphalt exit and entrance ramps resurfaced.  As part of this project, the I-275 EB Exit ramp to KY 9 in Wilder will be widened to provide an additional left-turn lane from EB I -275 exit to NB KY 9.  The project also includes adding median cable barriers on I-275.  Once the WB side is complete, crews will move to the EB side.  Weather permitting, this switch is expected to begin the second week of July. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

4. I-275 WB (MP 77 to 82.4) Interstate Bridges Painting Project in Kenton County

This project entails painting of all I-275 steel bridges in Kenton County. Eighteen bridges in all that include the Dr. Poweleit Licking River Bridge, KY 16, KY 17, KY 1303, US 25, CNO and TP Railroad Bridge, Crescent Springs Road and I-75/I-275 interchange bridges.  Most of this work is done during night time and overnight hours – 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.  The I-275/I-75 interchange structure is in progress. This project is scheduled to be completed by November of 2012.

5. I-275 WB in Boone County

This concrete repair project will replace faulty sections of pavement between the Kenton County line/Turfway Road underpass and the airport interchange (Exit 4) as well as some exit and entrance ramps.  Only night time and overnight work will be done on this section, typically 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week.  This project is on target to be completed by June 30, 2011. 

6. I -75 Asphalt Resurfacing in Boone County and Kenton Counties (MP 166 – 183)

This is the latest addition to the Revive the Drive – NKY interstate rehabilitation projects.  This $6.2 million resurfacing project recently began with crews setting up operations.  New asphalt will cover I-75 beginning at the Crittenden (Exit 166) northbound to Richwood Road (Exit 176) and Southbound from Turfway Road (Exit 182) to just north of Crittenden (Exit 166).  Only night time work will be done on this resurfacing project.  This project is scheduled to be completed by September 2011.

To date the total of projects completed and projects in progress is more than $100 million. 

Revive the Drive – NKY projects coming soon:

• Concrete pavement repairs on I-275 in Campbell County from KY 9 to the Ohio River – Work scheduled to begin summer 2011.

• I-471 concrete pavement repairs – Currently scheduled for 2012.

Road construction season typically begins in April.  An unusually rainy April and May put some work behind schedule.  Crews have been working to get back on schedule.  Road construction work is always weather dependent.

There are several ways to get updated “Revive the Drive – NKY” interstate rehabilitation information:

KYTC District 6 project info will be available on http://transportation.ky.gov/revivethedrive/.

“Like” us on the KYTC District 6 Facebook page and get project information at https://www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6.

Go to 511.ky.gov website.   You can check this site before you leave to see how the “Revive the Drive – NKY” interstate projects affect your commute.  That way you will know before you go and can plan accordingly.

The traffic congestion and back ups are unavoidable.  KYTC wants to remind local commuters and travelers to do their part and plan accordingly, check for updates, schedules and closures.  Avoid the construction work zones if possible, take alternate routes and use I-275 as a detour.  But most of all be patient and remember that the end result will bring improved driving conditions, added safety, and routine maintenance that is crucial for the interstate infrastructure of Northern Kentucky.