I-69 Interchange Upgrades at Interstate 24/Purchase Pkwy Interchange at Calvert City to start February 29th

I-69 interchange mapPaducah, KY. (Feb. 16, 2016) –  A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans to start work February 29 on reconstruction of the Interstate 24/Julian Carroll-Purchase Parkway Interchange at Calvert City in Marshall County.

Some preliminary work such as placement of construction signage will begin in the next few days along with some initial prep work along the right of way.

Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on the $37.8 million reconstruction project to bring the existing interchange up to current standards for Interstate 69 to be extended southward along the parkway.

”This is an extended reconstruction of the interchange to allow full flow traffic for I-69 to make the transition from the east leg of the existing interchange to the south leg of the interchange”, said KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Mike McGregor. “It will be very similar to the new I-69 Interchange at the connection with the
Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway and the Western Kentucky Parkway south of Madisonville in Hopkins County.”

The project includes a 55 mile per hour work zone speed limit with an enhanced enforcement presence.

The work zone includes an extended area at the existing Interstate 24 Exit 25 and Purchase Parkway Exit 52.  It also maintains the existing connection between the end of the parkway and US 62 at Calvert City.  Reworking the intersection with US 62 will be among the first visible elements of the reconstruction effort.

The new I-24/I-69 Calvert City interchange has a target completion date of July 1, 2018.
In his initial announcement of the contract award Governor Matt Bevin said the Calvert City interchange project and a corresponding interchange project at Mayfield are important links in the I-69 Corridor through Kentucky.

”The continued expansion of I-69 through western Kentucky is a catalyst for future economic development”, Gov. Bevin said. ”Reconstruction of these interchanges is a critical step in maintaining the positive momentum for the I-69 corridor projects.”

The Transportation Cabinet will issue additional traffic advisories for each of the projects as work progresses to a point where it impacts traffic flow.  All main line traffic connections through the interchanges will be maintained during the construction process.