Roadside Maintenance

• Growth Regulators
  A cycle of growth regulators was applied in early Spring. These regulators are designed to slow down the rate of grass growth, thereby reducing the frequency of mowing cycles. This measure has been proven to be cost-effective in terms of savings. Therefore, the application of growth regulators in early Spring is intended to decrease the number of mowing cycles required throughout the year. This application helps save costs associated with mowing and maintaining roadways and interstate highways.
  
  Drivers are used to seeing neatly trimmed grass extending from the roadway edge to the border of the state-maintained property. Beginning this year, motorists will encounter a new look at rural interstates, parkways, and some other routes. Mowing will be done less often, focusing on a 15-foot strip adjacent to the shoulder.
  
  *Note: ​See 'Pollinator Plots' section for further explanation.
  
  
• Noxious Weeds/Invasive Species
  Contract crews are currently removing bamboo along I-71 at I-264 (Watterson Expressway) near mile marker 5. Bamboo is highly invasive and poses a concern, requiring removal. Residents are strongly discouraged from planting any bamboo species near interstates or state-maintained roadways, as it grows rapidly, spreads aggressively, and can overtake native vegetation. To prevent regrowth, crews grind down the bamboo and treat it with herbicide, as even a small remaining root can cause it to return.​

Kentucky's Buzzing! Vegetation Management to Transform Kentucky's Roadside Landscapes – find out more information online.

This Kentucky Pollinator Plots interactive map displays all tracts of land that KYTC and state legislation have designated as environmentally significant in an effort to promote pollinator habitat across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Motorists might notice:

• Changes in Mowing Practices
  Instead of mowing all the way to the state-maintained property border, the focus will now be on a narrower 15-foot strip adjacent to the shoulder. This means less frequent mowing overall.
  
  
• Promotion of Pollinator Habitat and Native Plants
  By reducing mowing frequency, the aim is to encourage the growth of pollinator habitats and native plants, including wildflowers. This approach supports biodiversity and ecological health along roadways.
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  *National Pollinator Week, observed the week of June 17-23, 2024.
  
  
• Balancing Vegetation Growth and Safety​
  Despite the vegetation potentially growing taller, it's emphasized that this change will not compromise driver visibility or safety. Studies even suggest that varied roadside vegetation, including wildflowers, can enhance driver alertness and potentially reduce accidents. Less frequent mowing could also reduce deer-vehicle collisions by decreasing the attractiveness of roadside areas to deer, as freshly cut grass is a preferred food source for them.
  
  

Overall, these changes are intended to create a more diverse and ecologically beneficial roadside landscape while maintaining or potentially improving driver safety through enhanced visibility and reduced wildlife hazards.​