Department of Highways, District 5
TRANSPORTATION CABINET AND LOUISVILLE METRO PARTNER FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON AIKEN ROAD

Louisville, KY  (March 13, 2006) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Louisville Metro Public Works Department announced today a partnering effort for improvements on Aiken Road in eastern Jefferson County.  The Transportation Cabinet is providing $522,000 for a project to widen approximately one mile of Aiken Road to 18 feet from Johnson Road to KY 362 in Shelby County. 

“Providing a safe and reliable transportation system for motorists is the top priority of the Transportation Cabinet,” stated Deputy Secretary Jim Adams of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.  “Through cooperative efforts with Louisville Metro, Senators Denton and Tapp, Representative DeWeese and Councilman Heiner, we are able to bring much needed safety improvements to this section of Aiken Road.”

Aiken Road (KY 1531) is part of the state’s rural secondary roads program.  This widening project is being funded through a combination of rural secondary maintenance funds and the Transportation Cabinet Secretary’s discretionary funds.   The Louisville Metro Public Works Department will oversee the construction contract on this project with work expected to begin this summer.

“Residents won’t have to be concerned anymore about their children getting on a school bus in the morning,” said Deputy Mayor Rick Johnstone.  “Widening Aiken Road is the right thing to do for Louisville, and I’m pleased we could partner with the state on this important project.”

"Since opening of the new Aiken Road Bridge in 2004, residents of District 19 and I have met with representatives of the state highway department. Together we have been looking for a way to find safety improvements for this road," stated Louisville Metro Councilman Hal Heiner.  "Today's announcement is a testament to the improved communication and cooperation between state and local governments.  It is exciting to know that construction will be finished this summer and at a significantly smaller cost than originally estimated - something unheard of in the previous years."

State legislators from both Jefferson and Shelby Counties attended the press conference and commented on the upcoming improvements to Aiken Road.  Those legislators in attendance were Senator Julie Denton and Representative Bob DeWeese from Jefferson County and Senator Gary Tapp and Representative Brad Montell from Shelby County.

In addition to widening Aiken Road, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be tree trimming trees at the intersection of Aiken Road and Johnson Road to improve sight distance.  Recently, the Cabinet reduced the speed limit on Aiken Road from 45 mph to 35 mph.  The speed limits on Johnson Road and Eastwood-Fisherville Road were reduced from 55 mph to 35 mph.