By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus
Somerset — Two-way traffic was scheduled to be allowed late yesterday on two northbound lanes of scenic new Ky. 1247 between southeastern bypass (Ky. 914) and northern Burnside. Flashing message boards in all directions announce the opening, and barricades were scheduled to be moved as soon as striping was completed.
“Only two lanes –– one lane north and one lane south –– will open today (Thursday),” said Bill Chaney, manager of the project for Kentucky Department of Highways’ District 8. Despite earlier speculation that all four lanes will open before the current construction season ends, Chaney said yesterday that rainy weather in October delayed construction. He expressed doubt the southbound two lanes will open until sometime next spring.
“Unless the rains hold off and the weather stays warm enough to apply blacktop, we may not get the two southbound lanes open this fall,” Chaney said.
New Ky. 1247 extends from Ky. 914 (southeastern bypass) at Murphy Avenue Extension to near the recently opened interchange of U.S. 27 and Ky. 90 in northern Burnside. The new road replaces an existing narrow, crooked Ky. 1247 that dips sharply to Pitman Creek south of Elihu; climbs upward through Cedar Grove; then north of John Sherman Cooper Power Station to U.S. 27 in northern Burnside.
An 85-foot-tall span over Pitman Creek is the scenic highlight of the just under four miles of new road. Old Ky. 1247 remains open for local traffic, Chaney said.
The only lighted traffic signals will be at the northern end at Ky. 914. At the southern end, traffic will move onto ramps of the partial cloverleaf interchange leading onto U.S. 27 and Ky. 90.
Hinkle Contracting Corporation, of Somerset and Paris, is building new Ky. 1247 for $22,609,000. Construction began June 22, 2007.
“Safety is our main concern,” said Stephanie Daffron, public information officer for the Kentucky Department of Highways’ District 8. She expressed hope that motorists on the newly opened highway will carefully observe traffic messages and signs.
Caution is necessary at crossroads leading onto Ky. 1247 because construction is continuing on the two southbound lanes. Traffic on roads approaching and crossing new Ky. 1247 will stop, Daffron noted.
