Mountain Parkway Expansion Progress Report: Week of April 18, 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, crews have been driving piling for a new bridge over a creek for the modernized Salyersville interchange. After piles are set, the concrete pour will begin.
Traffic may be stopped occasionally for up to 5 minutes at a time as a safety precaution during blasting.
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.
Drivers might be stopped 4-5 times daily for up to 15 minutes at a time because of blasting.
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
Since setting beams in early April, crews have moved on to decking the bridge that will carry westbound traffic on the Mountain Parkway over the Middle Fork of the Licking River. The new bridge runs parallel to a bridge that was completed last year and now carries both lanes of the Mountain Parkway.
The new interchange will provide access to and from the Mountain Parkway and serve an industrial park planned just to the north of the parkway.
Crews have completed construction of a culvert under the old Mountain Parkway near the Gifford Road interchange and are preparing to backfill the area where westbound lanes will be added. They also are working on the storm sewer in the median for the westbound side.
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.
