I-275 CARROLL CROPPER BRIDGE UPDATES
STEEL REPAIR WORK The repair project is nearing completion.
On Tuesday, Dec. 23 beginning at 7 p.m., there will be a series of rolling roadblocks on I-275 westbound through the project area as part of a traffic switch. These 15-minute roadblocks are expected to be completed just after midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Once striping is completed and equipment is removed, all westbound lanes of traffic will be open, and the repair project will be considered complete.
ZONE PAINTING PROJECT On Friday, Dec. 5, KYTC announced a zone painting project to minimize future traffic interruptions and maintain the condition of a critical crossing ahead of the Brent Spence Corridor project construction.
Zone painting is a necessary maintenance practice for steel bridges to project against corrosion, particularly in vulnerable areas such as floor beams and beneath joints, or where existing paint has deteriorated. The process involves cleaning and repainting only the affected sections to prevent the spread of rust and extend the overall life of the structure.
Only eastbound lanes of the bridge will need to remain closed during the length of the zone painting project expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, weather permitting.
Crews will be working simultaneously with a separate contractor already on-site performing floor beam repairs on the bridge. Performing this work now, during the ongoing bridge repairs, saves time and will get the bridge full opened sooner.
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On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, KYTC implemented weight limits for emergency vehicles and temporary lane restrictions on the I-275 Carroll Cropper Memorial Bridge. While the bridge remains safe for passenger vehicles, a recent inspection found deterioration in some of its steel.
New Emergency Vehicle Weight Limits:
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Single Axle: 16 tons
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Tandem Axle: 23 tons
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Gross Weight: 31 tons
The weight reduction will not impact commercial vehicle traffic due to semi-trucks having more axles to distribute the weight.
Overweight Over-Dimensional vehicles are not permitted on the bridge at this time due to current lane restrictions.
CURRENT TRAFFIC IMPACTS:
A temporary speed limit reduction of 55 MPH is currently in place. A queue warning system has also been installed on both sides of the river to warn motorists of any stopped or slowed traffic on/near the bridge.
Eastbound Traffic (drivers heading from Indiana to Kentucky):
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A right lane closure is in place before the bridge approach. Once you're on the bridge, all lanes are open.
Westbound Traffic (drivers heading from Kentucky to Indiana):
You can find a project timeline, photos and additional project information here.
BOONE AND KENTON COUNTIES A resurfacing project on several routes in Boone & Kenton Counties will continue Spring 2026. This project will also include sidewalk ramp reconstruction in various areas, sidewalk/curb repairs, curb box inlet repairs, radar detection at several intersections and the installation of signal head and other various signage. The following locations will be resurfaced: - COMPLETE: U.S. 42 from east of Ewing Blvd. (14.5 mile point) to Main Street (U.S. 25) (15.28 mile point).
- Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) from north of Dortha Avenue (10.9 mile point) to the Boone/Kenton County line (11.4 mile point).
- Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) from the Boone/Kenton County line (4.97 mile point) to north of Hallam Avenue (6.26 mile point).
- COMPLETE: Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) from north of Marian Drive (8.13 mile point) to Orphanage Road (KY 371) (8.65 mile point). This portion of the project is now complete.
Base failure repairs have not yet been scheduled on the other two portions of the project on Dixie Highway. This work will occur in Spring 2026.
The project also includes a roadway reconfiguration of Dixie Highway from Turfway Road to northeast of Commonwealth Avenue. KYTC will provide additional details related to this safety improvement at a later date.
CARROLL AND GALLATIN COUNTIES
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I-71 – 52.77 – 57.36 mile points – A widening project aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety on I-71 in Carroll and Gallatin counties is in progress. The project will widen I-71 from its configuration of two lanes in each direction, to three lanes.
This widening project includes a bridge replacement over KY 47. The current bridges will be replaced with a new, single span bridge matching the median widening throughout the project area.
The speed limit in the work zone has been reduced to 55 MPH, and law enforcement will be on-site to ensure compliance. Please, drive carefully throughout the work zone. Weather permitting, the overall project is expected to be completed Nov. 1, 2026. Learn more about the project here.
Petersburg Road (KY 20) – 8.15 – 10.87 mile points – A resurfacing project on Petersburg Road from Woolper Road extending easterly to Idlewild Bypass is in progress.
Milling/paving operations are now complete. Rumble strips and thermoplastic striping still remain. A single lane closure will be in place during daytime working hours with flaggers on-site to direct traffic.
Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Beaver Road (KY 1292) – 2.40 – 4.93 mile points – A resurfacing project on Beaver Road from the bridge near Sturgeon Road extending easterly to KY 14 is in progress.
Milling/paving operations are now complete. Rumble strips and thermoplastic striping still remain. A single lane closure will be in place during daytime working hours with flaggers on-site to direct traffic.
Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Walton-Nicholson Road (KY 16) – 2.7 mile point – A slide repair project is underway on Walton-Nicholson Road west of Dixie Highway. Motorists should expect a single westbound lane closure between the working hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Flaggers will be used to guide traffic safely through the work zone. Weather permitting, this project is expected to be completed Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Mary Grubbs Highway (KY 14) – 8.05 – 8.83 mile points – A roadway rehabilitation and improvement project is currently underway. This project will take place between Stephenson Mill Road and Dixie Highway (U.S. 25). Motorists should expect various single lane closures between the working hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The project will include asphalt resurfacing, upgraded traffic signal detectors, asphalt rehabilitation and grading/drainage improvements. Two other portions of road on KY 16 and U.S. 25 are part of this roadway improvement project. The overall project is expected to be completed December 2025.
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Richardson Road (KY 842) – 0.12 mile point
– The bridge east of Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) on Richardson Road at the 0.12 mile point has a weight limit reduction of three tons.
While the bridge remains safe for vehicular traffic, a recent inspection found some deterioration. KYTC bridge engineering analysis shows the weight limit reduction is needed as a precaution, and to prevent further damage until the bridge can be repaired. KYTC is working with the railroad company to coordinate a repair plan.
We will provide updates once the bridge repair plan has been scheduled. Prohibited vehicles can detour using Industrial Road (KY 1829) or Mt. Zion Road (KY 536).
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Donaldson Highway (KY 236) 0.0 – 1.6 mile points – A widening and safety improvement project on KY 236 (Donaldson Highway) between KY 842 (Houston Road) and KY 3076 (Mineola Pike) is nearing completion. The project will widen the 2-mile stretch of road to five lanes with curb and gutter, including two through-lanes in each direction with a center turn lane. A sidewalk and multiuse path also will be added.
The project has an overall completion date of end of December. You can find more information on this project
here.
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