Mountain Parkway Expansion Progress Report: January 20, 2016
January 20, 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 project, described as the Magoffin County Central Segment, runs from just west of Mile Point 70 to just east of Mile Point 75 of the Mountain 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.
Gifford Road interchange
Excavation work is nearly complete near Gifford Road, where a new interchange is being built and the roadway is being widened to four lanes. The interchange will provide new access to and from the Mountain Parkway and serve an industrial park being planned just to the north of the interchange.
Late last week, crews finished pouring concrete for a barrier wall of the new Gifford Road overpass bridge that will carry traffic over the parkway. Work may slow early this week due to below-freezing temperatures. However, if weather permits, crews plan to begin formation work for the footer of a culvert under the westbound lanes of the newly-constructed parkway, along with preparation to paint the bridge.
During the next three to four weeks, crews also are expected to begin work on the foundation for the piers of a bridge that will carry westbound traffic on the Mountain Parkway over the Middle Fork of the Licking River. Work on the bridge substructure is expected to continue throughout the winter, and the deck of the bridge likely will be put in place this spring.
After completion, the Mountain Parkway in this section will be expanded to provide four-lane access.
KY 30 interchange
Crews are continuing significant clearing and site work around the current KY 30 interchange near Mile Point 72 of the parkway and starting construction in the area. The project includes modernizing and improving the KY 30 interchange as well as realigning and widening about 2½ miles of roadway.
Construction of an 840-foot culvert is expected to be finished this spring. Excavation also will continue before building the base for this portion of the new Mountain Parkway roadway. Periodic blasting will continue, causing traffic stoppages for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Salyersville Road interchange
Sewer and water line construction continues around the KY 7/Salyersville interchange, located immediately west of Salyersville’s Restaurant Row area. Weather permitting, crews are expected to begin pouring concrete this week for the footers of an overpass at the interchange.
Excavation work also continues to prepare for additional construction, with a total of about 5 million yards of dirt to be moved. Project leaders hope to complete utility and excavation work by spring.
