US 60 Improvements East of Olive Hill

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet engineers are planning an improvement project along US 60 in Carter County. The project area includes about 1.1 miles of US 60 between the previously improved Rock Crusher Curve (quarry) area east of Olive Hill and the I-64 interchange at Pleasant Valley.

Purpose & Need

The purpose and need of the project is to address current roadway deficiencies, which include narrow shoulders and inadequate site distance at intersections and over hilltops, and to improve safety, mobility, and connectivity in the region.

There are four alternatives under consideration: Two closely follow the existing roadway and the other two cut cross-country from near the Rock Crusher Curve area to near the truck stop. (See links to individual maps, presentation, etc., below.)

The cross-country roadway sections would be two lanes with paved shoulders, with truck climbing lanes over the hill and a two-way left-turn lane (center turn lane) from where it rejoins the existing road through the I-64 interchange. The options along the existing corridor have two different roadway sections from the beginning to KY 182, either two-lane or three-lane sections, while both would be three lanes with curb and gutter from KY 182 up to the interchange.

Let us know what you think about these alternatives by opening up the alternative maps listed below, then downloading the Comment Form to submit to the Kentucky Department of Highways District 9. (All comments due Jan. 7, 2024.)