Mountain Parkway Expansion Progress Report: Week Beginning April 17
This periodic report includes highlights about work underway on the Mountain Parkway Expansion. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could affect planned activities.
Restaurant Row in Salyersville
Significant progress is being made to construct a new bridge across Burning Fork – on the west end of Restaurant Row – while utility and clearing work continue throughout the 2.4-mile project area.
Later this week, a concrete deck is scheduled to be poured on the new bridge. Parkway traffic will be moved later this spring onto the new bridge, allowing for demolition of the existing structure. The new span will then be widened to accommodate four lanes of parkway traffic. Construction crews also are continuing work to extend a large culvert on the east end of the project.
Utility crews continue work to relocate gas, water and sewer lines along Restaurant Row, and that work will last until late this year.
Clearing work also continues, primarily on the west end of the project. In coming weeks, blasting of rock will begin near the Magoffin County Health Department to allow for an extension of a local access road that will connect with Parkway Drive.
Current activities are not expected to significantly affect traffic, but the speed limit in the work zone has been reduced for the safety of workers and travelers. Occasionally stoppages may be required.
Magoffin County
With the arrival of spring, excavation work on the KY 30 interchange will increase. Drivers might encounter more trucks entering and exiting the highway, so they are advised to use caution. Crews are preparing to place a gravel base ahead of paving and are beginning to work on the decking for the bridge over KY 30.
On the KY 7 interchange, workers have poured barrier walls for the section of the bridge that has been completed.
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.
The speed limit in the area has been reduced, and traffic on the parkway may be slowed or stopped periodically for the safety of workers and travelers.
Morgan County
Clearing and excavation continues near the Magoffin-Morgan County line to prepare to widen this 8.2-mile section of the Mountain Parkway. Travelers might encounter brief, periodic traffic stops because of blasting between mile points 56 and 60.
Construction to extend a culvert near Mile Point 59 has begun, and crews are excavating and placing fill material around Mile Point 57.
Utility relocation also continues. Relocation of waterlines around the KY 205 interchange – largely on KY 205 – may minimally impact traffic. Also, crews temporarily closed part of the Mountain Parkway on Tuesday, April 18 to relocate a large telephone cable.
The Morgan County segment of the project runs from just west of Exit 57 near Helechawa to just west of the Cutino-Hager Road overpass. In addition to widening the parkway to four lanes, crews will improve two existing interchanges and reconstruct an “S” curve near the county line to improve safety and mobility.
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.
For more information on the Mountain Parkway Expansion, visit www.MtnParkway.com or follow the project on Twitter (@MtnParkway) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mtnparkway). A project office is open in Magoffin Plaza in Salyersville; call (606) 349-8160 for hours.
