PADUCAH, Ky. (July 22, 2019) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has scheduled a public meeting for July 29 to seek input on planned improvements to a section of KY 1286/North Friendship Road in the Lone Oak area of McCracken County. The meeting will discuss options for improvements to KY 1286 between U.S. 45/Lone Oak Road and Holt Road, which includes several curves with an elevated crash rate.
According to KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat, the meeting is to seek public input on several alternates under consideration.
“We urge anyone who lives nearby, who owns property along the route, or who travels KY 1286/North Friendship Road in the project area to attend this public meeting,” Poat said. “We need the public to provide input that will help guide the planning, design, and engineering work that will be required for this project.”
The meeting is set for 5-7 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 29 at Lone Oak Elementary School in Paducah. KYTC staff will be on hand to share displays, discuss options, and accept public comments.
The proposed project would improve KY 1286/North Friendship Road from the U.S. 45/Lone Oak Road intersection starting at mile point 3.623 and extending northwest to the Holt Road intersection at mile point 6.299, a distance of about 2.6 miles. Various alternates are being considered to improve safety and traffic flow, including the widening of lanes and shoulders, as well as improved alignment of curves. The range of alternatives includes a “no build” option. Design efforts and environmental studies are expected to be completed later this year to help KYTC engineers, design staff, and consultants define the costs and impacts associated with the proposed project.
Poat noted that crash data is a major driving force in the planning process.
A review of police crash reports along the project area from Nov. 1, 2013 through Oct. 31, 2018 showed 298 crashes, including 1 fatality and 66 injury collisions. Of those, 42% were rear-end collisions, 25% were angle or turning collisions, with single-vehicle crashes accounting for 22% of the total. The crash review indicated traffic incident concentrations at the Maryland Street and Seneca Lane intersections, as well as between Old Friendship Lane and U.S. 62 and just east of the Holt Road intersection.
“Gleaning input from the public will assist us in the decision making process,” Poat said. “We are seeking to gain an understanding of important safety, community and environment considerations that may help direct the development of this project.”
During the public meeting, handouts containing information about the project, comment sheets, and displays will be available. The meeting will be conducted in an open format with no formal presentation. The public can drop by to review maps, renderings and other displays. KYTC representatives and consultants will be available to answer questions and accept comments. Written and oral comments will be accepted during the meeting. Written comments will be accepted, and information made available, for up to 15 days after the meeting at the KYTC District 1 Office.
Written and oral comments from the public meeting will become a part of the official record for the project. Once compiled, the meeting record will be made available for review and copying only after an Open Records Request has been received and approved. All Open Records Requests must be submitted to the KYTC Office of Legal Services in Frankfort.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs special assistance to attend this meeting should contact Chris Kuntz, P.E., at the KYTC District 1 Office at 270-898-2431 by July 26.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
On Reconstruction of KY 1286/North Friendship Rd In McCracken County
Monday, July 29, 5 to 7 p.m., CDT
Lone Oak Elementary School
301 Cumberland Ave.
Paducah, Ky., 42001