Purpose
| The I-71 widening and reconstruction project aims to address the capacity deficiencies and operational issues that currently characterize the existing corridor and provide increased efficiency and safety for the traveling public. It will serve regional traffic on I-71 and local users traveling to and from the Louisville Metro and Crestwood/Buckner areas.
The proposed project will address increasing traffic volumes and traffic flow characteristics, thus improving overall corridor performance.
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Project Scope
| Widen I-71 from four to six lanes between KY 329 (mile point 14.1) and KY 393 (mile point 18.0) - Crestwood Exit to Buckner Exit.
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Links
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Link to Storymap: I-71 widening From KY 329 to KY 393 project
The period for public comment has expired (deadline was October 30, 2023).
Public Meeting Recording
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Project Timeline
| As of Summer 2025 (SUBJECT TO CHANGE): Potential Schedule: Final Design began in Fall 2024. Right of Way acquisition 2025 Utility Relocations 2025 and 2026 Begin Roadway Construction 2026-2027
*NOTE: Once the right-of-way process is complete, all tentative dates for utility relocation and letting will be re-evaluated to correspond with available funding (provided in the upcoming enacted Highway Plan). |
Information Provided at Public Meeting
| The preliminary design for this project is complete, and alternates have been chosen for the final design. Information presented today should be considered “Preliminary and Subject to Change” during the final design.
Key Topics for Chosen Alternatives:
Mainline I-71 – Widen from 2 lanes to 3 lanes per direction. - 3 lanes in each direction with a 4th auxiliary lane between the Crestwood and Buckner interchanges.
- One lane per direction was added at the existing median location.
- The grass median will be replaced with a 14-foot-wide inside shoulder and median barrier wall.
- Auxiliary 4th lane to be added to the outside of the existing roadway.
KY 393 – Crestwood Interchange - Widen to 7 lanes, 4 through lanes, and dual left turns to S.B. I-71, one left turn to N.B. I-71.
- Both NB and SB entrance ramps to I-71 widened to 2 lanes.
- Exit ramps widened to 3 lanes for turn lanes and added vehicle storage approaching KY 393.
Glenarm Road Overhead Bridge – Replacement required due to vertical clearance issues. - Two Options – construct in the same location or construct adjacent to the existing bridge.
- Choose to construct adjacent to the existing bridge to avoid road closure and an 8-mile-long detour.
KY 146 – Buckner Interchange – No build option chosen. - Some widening options for KY 146 were explored.
- Traffic Analysis revealed that widening the interchange alone does not adequately solve the expected future traffic capacity issues.
- KYTC will recommend to the legislature that a separate six-year plan project be established for the KY 146 Corridor to address capacity issues. With the possibility of a separate project being established, this project would then provide no improvements on KY 146 (except signalization of the SB on-ramp).
Other Considerations
Right of Way - Most construction will be contained within the existing highway right of way.
- At some locations, additional strips of the right-of-way will be required. Please review the project materials (Story Map) for any potential impacts at your location.
- Currently, no relocations are anticipated, only strip acquisitions of the right-of-way adjacent to the existing right-of-way.
Funding - Current estimate of all phases based on 2021 pricing - $70,000,000 +
- Current project budget (Six-Year Hwy Plan) - $73,700,000
- The process is underway to compose the 2024 Six-Year Hwy Plan and presumably update the project budget.
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Roadway Classification
| This portion of I-71 is classified as an Urban Interstate. This segment of I-71 was originally constructed during the late 1960s. The original design speed was 70 mph, and it is a fully controlled access facility. This segment was originally constructed with a 6” Dense Graded Aggregate (DGA) and 10” Concrete pavement, including a sand pavement drain system. The pavement has since been overlaid with asphalt. This segment of I-71 begins with a bifurcated template, then transitions to a common median just north of the KY 329 Interchange, and then ends in a bifurcated template near MP 18.0.
The original typical section includes: - Bifurcated: 4 – 12’ driving lanes, 6’ (3’ Paved) inside shoulders, 12’ (10’ Paved) outside shoulders. Both inside and outside ditches are a minimum of 11’ wide with 4:1 side slopes.
- Common Median: 4 – 12’ driving lanes, 6’ (3’ Paved) inside shoulders, 12’ (10’ Paved) outside shoulders. The common median is 60’ in width with 6:1 side slopes. The outside ditches are a minimum of 11’ wide with 4:1 side slopes.
I-71 is a National Highway System (NHS) route; it is included with the state primary system, National Truck Route, and Kentucky Highway Freight Network. I-71 and all major crossroads have AAA truck weight limits of 80,000 lbs.
I-71 - Functional Class – Urban Interstate
- Posted Speed Limit – 70 mph
KY 329 - Functional Class – Rural Major Collector north of I-71 / Urban Minor Arterial South of I-71
- Posted Speed Limit – 45 mph
KY 146 - Functional Class – Urban Minor Arterial
- Posted Speed Limit – 45 to 55 mph
KY 393 - Functional Class – Urban Minor Arterial
- Posted Speed Limit – 55 mph
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Public Input
| A live virtual meeting was held on September 19, 2023. This virtual meeting began with a project presentation and concluded with a question-and-answer session. The live virtual meeting was recorded and is posted for viewing until October 30, 2023. Click here to view the meeting: Public Meeting Recording
Click here to visit: Storymap for I-71 widening From KY 329 to KY 393 project
The period for public comment has expired (the deadline was October 30, 2023).
Hard copies of presentation materials and comment forms were available at KYTC’s District 5 office and the Oldham County Planning and Development Services. Hard copy comment forms and/or written statements were accepted for a period of 15 days after the online materials had expired. The period for public comment has expired (the deadline for hard copy forms was November 15, 2023).
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