Department of Highways, District 6
Road Construction Season Begins and ‘Revive the Drive – NKY’ Continues

Road Construction Season Begins and ‘Revive the Drive – NKY’ Continues

I-471 and I-275 interstate rehabilitation projects in Campbell County

COVINGTON, Ky. – “Revive the Drive – NKY,” a wide-ranging initiative to make badly needed bridge and highway repairs and improvements across Northern Kentucky, is entering a critical new phase with pavement rehabilitation projects on Interstates 275 and 471 in Campbell County. Both will have a great impact on traffic.

I-471 will undergo total pavement replacement in a 5.7-mile corridor used by more than 100,000 vehicles a day.  Work crews will be removing the original concrete pavement of I-471, which was constructed in the latter 1970s, and replacing it with asphalt.

Eaton Asphalt Paving Co. Inc. and Subsidiary, located in Covington, Ky., was awarded the contract on a low bid of $51 million.

To prepare for construction, work crews will begin installing barrier walls on Friday, March 30, for a traffic shift that must be in place for the start of construction on Monday, April 2.  For most of the project, traffic will be reduced to two lanes, which will cause significant delays.

Contractors plan to work around the clock to remove deteriorated concrete from three lanes, shoulders and all exit and entrance ramps. Work also includes repairing and replacing the roadway surfaces of bridge decks along the corridor at U.S. 27, Chesapeake, Sixth Street and the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.  Guardrails and lighting will also be improved. 

“We want to remind motorists that the traffic impacts will be unavoidable,” said Rob Hans, chief district engineer of the Covington Highway District of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). “We are asking commuters to find alternate ways to travel and, if possible, avoid this work zone altogether.”

Keenly aware of the project’s effect on area traffic, KYTC officials and construction crews have collaborated to minimize problems for the traveling public. Steps taken include a compressed work schedule and timing the work around Northern Kentucky University to occur after the spring semester ends on May 5, 2012. 

Construction on the northbound lanes of I-471 will be completed in December 2012.  Work on southbound lanes will take place in 2013.

Meanwhile, pavement work on westbound I-275 will resume on Wednesday, March 28.  It is part of a $34.8 million concrete pavement replacement from the Combs Hehl Bridge to KY 9 (73 – 77.6 mile marker).  Work will continue until September.  The eastbound section was completed in fall, 2011.

Please be mindful that the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in both the I-471 and I-275 construction zones in Campbell County and the double-fine zone will be strictly enforced. 

Other Revive the Drive – NKY interstate projects:

1. I-275 WB (MP 77 to 82.4) Interstate Bridges Painting Project in Kenton County – Currently in progress. Entails painting of 18 steel bridges on I-275 in Kenton County. Bridges include the Dr. Poweleit Licking River Bridge, KY 16, KY 17, KY 1303, U.S. 25, CNO and TP Railroad Bridge, Crescent Springs Road and I-75/I-275 interchange bridges.  Most of the work is done at night and overnight – 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.  The I-275/I-75 interchange structure is in progress. Project scheduled to be complete by November 2012.

·         Revive the Drive – NKY - I -75 Asphalt Resurfacing in Boone County and Kenton Counties (MP 166 – 183) - some corrective work will take place on the sections completed last year and new resurfacing will occur on northbound from Richwood Road to just south of Donaldson Road.  This $3.1 million project has a summer 2012 completion date.  Only night time work will be done on this resurfacing project.  Dates and times have not yet been confirmed at this time.

The total of all the “Revive the Drive – NKY” projects completed and in progress is approximately $190 million. 

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.   Check this site before leaving home or office to see how the “Revive the Drive – NKY” interstate projects affect your commute.  Know before you go and plan accordingly.

Road construction season typically is April through November but work is always weather dependent.

Traffic congestion and backups are unavoidable.  KYTC reminds local commuters and travelers to do their part and plan accordingly, check for updates, schedules and closures.  Avoid the construction work zones if possible and take alternate routes.  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.

District 6 Chief Engineer, Rob Hans, talks about the upcoming Revive the Drive - NKY interstate rehab projects that are beginning on I-275 and I-471 in Northern Kentucky.

Bob Hill, D 6 Work Zone Safety Coordinator, reminds motorists to do their part by paying attention in the Work Zones.

An overhead view of I-275.

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