U.S. 27 & KY 70 - Eubank

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced plans for safety improvements at the U.S. 27/KY 70 intersection in Pulaski County. The project will replace the existing conventional intersection by constructing a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) along with right-turn lanes onto KY 70.

KYTC engineers have reviewed traffic volumes, traffic travel times, and crash data related to the intersection and after exploring various options the RCUT design was determined to be the most-effective way to address the safety and mobility of motorists.

Statement from Transportation Secretary Jim Gray Regarding U.S. 27/KY 70 Intersection in Eubank

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 22, 2021) – "The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the citizens of Eubank have long agreed that continued improvements are needed to address the intersection of U.S. 27 and KY 70 in Pulaski County. While work has been done in the past to improve safety at this location, on-going alternatives have also been considered to curb crashes at the intersection.

Recently, the Governor asked me to reanalyze the Transportation Cabinet's plan on moving forward. After much consideration about the path forward to address the concerns at this particular crossing, I am acting on my authority as Secretary to authorize a signalized traffic intersection. Traffic signals will provide a familiar and faster way to implement traffic improvements. Advanced warning flashers will also be installed ahead of the signalized intersection to warn drivers of the upcoming stop. We expect to implement the changes in less than three months.

The option originally proposed by our engineers called for an RCUT, and this solution still has a place in Kentucky to provide innovative, effective safety improvements. As is true for any improvement project, motorists have a role to play behind the wheel to ensure safe roadways, like obeying posted speed limits, driving sober and driving distraction-free."

Contact Information:

District 8

1660 South US 27

Somerset, KY 42502

P.O. Box P.O. Box 780

Somerset, KY 42502

Phone: (606) 677-4017

Fax: (606) 677-4013

Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST, M-F

Email Us

Map It

Follow District 8

What is an RCUT?

The RCUT, also referred to as a J-turn, is an intersection design that reduces crashes by changing how minor road traffic crosses or turns left at a major road reducing the potential conflict with other vehicles. At an RCUT, minor road traffic must turn right, left-turn and through movements from side street approaches as permitted in conventional designs are prohibited. The RCUT intersection accommodates these movements by requiring drivers to turn right onto the main road and then make a U-turn at a dedicated downstream median opening to complete the desired movement. Left, through, and right turn movements from the main road approaches are unchanged in this design.

HOW DOES AN RCUT WORK?

PATH A

Drivers who would cross the main highway once reaching a conventional intersection must now turn right first, make a U-turn at the designated location and then turn right onto the adjoining side street at the RCUT intersection.

PATH B

Drivers who would turn left from the minor road at a conventional intersection must now turn right instead; then make a U-turn at the designated location.

What's next?

Through KYTC's Highway Safety Improvement funds for the construction of the project have been provided. The safety improvement project for the intersection in conjunction with another project for the KY 70 corridor are scheduled to be let in May 2021. Currently, construction completion is set for Oct. 30, 2021.