Mountain Parkway Expansion Progress Report : Week of March 28, 2016
This periodic report includes information on work underway on the Mountain Parkway Expansion. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could affect planned activities.
Magoffin County
Construction and clearing activities are continuing along a nearly 6-mile stretch of the Mountain Parkway to the west of Salyersville.
The Magoffin County Central Segment of the Mountain Parkway Expansion runs from just west of mile point 70 to just east of mile point 75 of the parkway.
The speed limit in the area has been reduced to 45 mph. Traffic on the parkway may be slowed or stopped periodically for the safety of workers and travelers.
Salyersville interchange
This week, the right, eastbound lane of the Mountain Parkway just east of KY 7 will be eliminated to create a buffer zone for blasting debris. Crews are also constructing the columns of an overpass at the KY 7/Salyersville interchange (Exit 75).
Excavation work also continues in preparation for additional construction, with a total of about 5 million yards of dirt to be moved. Excavation work is scheduled to be completed by spring 2017.
KY 30 interchange
Clearing and site work continues around the current KY 30 interchange near mile point 72. The project includes modernizing and improving the KY 30 interchange as well as realigning and widening about 2½ miles of roadway.
A temporary traffic signal remains near the interchange to allow construction trucks to safely cross the parkway to transport excavated materials to waste areas.
Gifford Road interchange
Between April 5 and 7, crews plan to set beams for a bridge that will carry westbound traffic on the Mountain Parkway over the Middle Fork of the Licking River. During placement of the middle beam, scheduled for April 5, traffic may occasionally be reduced to one lane during the day.
The interchange will provide new access to and from the Mountain Parkway and serve an industrial park planned just to the north of the interchange.
Crews are also working on the second half of a culvert under the old Mountain Parkway near the Gifford Road interchange. The footer has been poured, and the sides and top will be completed over the next couple of weeks.
After completion, the Mountain Parkway in this section will be expanded to provide four-lane access.
About the Mountain Parkway Expansion
The Mountain Parkway Expansion is a 46-mile transportation improvement project that will create a wider, safer connection between Eastern Kentucky and the rest of the Commonwealth.
The project will widen 30 miles of the existing parkway from two lanes to four lanes, and will extend the parkway another 16 miles between Salyersville and Prestonsburg.
