The Somerset Small Urban Area Study is a unique and effective way for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials to get out in the state and learn firsthand about traffic problems in smaller communities.
The initial data-gathering phase in the Somerset study was a meeting June 10 of local and state officials to talk about low-cost transportation projects than can be easily implemented to improve safety concerns. The same type of study is being done in several other small Kentucky cities.
Discussed were such things as how the new judicial center, now under construction, will affect traffic in the downtown area; adequate signage on developing I-66 to prevent isolation of existing businesses along U.S. 27; proper utilization of lanes on six-lane U.S. 27 to prevent traffic backups; and traffic counts and high-accident locations on area highways.
Particularly impressive were revelations by Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler and City Engineer Alex Godsey that two new streets are proposed to eliminate congestion in the city’s rapidly developing medical community in and near Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.
A north-south connector, as envisioned by Girdler and Godsey, would extend from Oak Hill Road to Ringgold Road. A east-west connector would extend from the Bogle Street-U.S. 27 intersection to the southwestern bypass. The two streets would open up more than 300 acres for development in the city and even a larger area in the county.
Girdler said the city is trying to do engineering work on the north-south connector and acquiring some right-of-way. “And we’ll be looking for some funding sources,” the mayor added. Both streets are included in the city’s comprehensive plan now being updated.
Another project Girdler unveiled is desire to beautify concrete depressed medians dividing six-lane U.S. 27 along Somerset main business corridor. The mayor expressed willingness for the city to pay for and maintain “green” medians if permission is granted by the Transportation Cabinet.
Maybe we hadn’t noticed. Sometimes we can’t see the forests for the trees. The mayor is absolutely correct. U.S. 27 would be far more inviting to locals and tourists alike if the storm-water collectors in the center of the busy highway blossomed into pleasing oases.
All in all, the first Somerset Small Urban Area Study seemed worth its while. Highway Department officials appeared genuinely interested in listening to local people and finding how they can help.
The Somerset Small Urban Area Study appears to be a grassroots effort to foster better communications between the state and local government. The community advisory committee, core of the study group, will convene again later this fall to prioritize ideas offered at the initial session.
The new approach by the Transportation Cabinet has all the marks of a successful venture. We hope it bears fruit.
