Strong weather delays opening of Burnside interchange

By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus

A Kentucky Department of Highways spokesperson said yesterday afternoon that the scheduled opening this morning of the partial cloverleaf interchange in northern Burnside is “iffy” because of the weather.

Stephanie Daffron, public information officer for the Department of Highways’ District 8, pointed out that the area was under a high wind warning yesterday and an approaching cold front was forecast to bring dangerous storms.

Daffron, after speaking with engineers yesterday, said “we just don’t know at this point (whether the interchange will open today).” She said signs would be installed yesterday saying the interchange will open “soon.”

Highway Department engineers announced at a news conference last Thursday that the interchange would open today. However, they emphasized at the time that weather could push back the opening.

According to the initial announcement, traffic was supposed to start using the interchange after today’s morning rush hour. If it didn’t open, barricades are still there.

The partial cloverleaf interchange is designed to connect the planned four-laning of U.S. 27 through Burnside to the entrance of General Burnside Island State Park; the current four-laning of Ky. 1247 from the interchange through Cedar Grove to Ky. 914 (southeastern bypass); and Ky. 90 west to the new bridge over Lake Cumberland and to near the Bronston Post Office.

The interchange overpass will take through traffic on Ky. 90 and Ky. 1247 above U.S. 27 and Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. Appropriately designed ramps and signs will direct traffic north, south, east and west onto the motorist’s road of choice.

Travelers on U.S. 27, both north and south, may stay on the four-lane highway and go beneath the planned overpass. They also may take a ramp and merge westerly with Ky. 90 or a ramp and merge easterly with Ky. 1247.

Eastbound motorists on Ky. 90 may select a ramp to either north or south U.S. 27 or stay basically straight ahead and go above U.S. 27 to Ky. 1247. Westbound traffic on Ky. 1247 will have the same interchange options as eastbound traffic.

Traffic is extremely heavy at the intersection and is projected to double during the next 20 years.

Latest available traffic counts in the vicinity of the intersection indicate an average of 15,600 movements each day on U.S. 27. In 2025, the daily traffic count at this point is projected at 31,200.

On Ky. 90 near the intersection, the daily traffic count is 13,000. In 2025, the projection is 26,000 movements.

Still a two-lane highway, Ky. 1247 is more lightly traveled with 8,800 near the intersection during a 24-hour period. In 2025, the traffic count at this location is projected to be 17,600. Hinkle Contracting Corporation of Somerset and Paris is currently building the new four-lane Ky. 1247 from the southeastern bypass to Bend of the Lake Road. This more than three miles of highway is projected to be complete late in 2010.

The interchange project will widen Ky. 1247 to four lanes easterly to Bend of the Lake Road. Elmo Greer and Sons of London is general contractor for the interchange at a cost of $25.3 million.

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