Submitted by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet- If you plan to travel to Paducah, Kentucky be aware of the traffic delays.

Traffic will be restricted to one lane at the intersection of US 51, US 60, and US 62 in Wickliffe/Ballard County starting Monday, Aug. 5.

During the time traffic restrictions on the US 51 Ohio River Bridge have lowered the traffic count at this busy intersection, a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to place new concrete pavement in the intersection and along the approaches.

This work, starting Monday, Aug. 5 will require traffic to be restricted to one lane with flow through the intersection controlled by a temporary automated signal.

This is the "T" intersection where eastbound traffic from Illinois and Missouri for US 60 turns left toward LaCenter and Paducah and where southbound traffic for US 51 and eastbound traffic for US 62 turns right toward Bardwell.

The temporary traffic signal will be configured to allow one lane of traffic to move at a time to facilitate this intersection improvement work.

Due to the high truck volume at this intersection, the pavement has deteriorated and waffled. The asphalt pavement will be removed and replaced with a new concrete surface that will be more durable and safer.

Charbon Contracting is the prime contractor on this highway improvement project.

As a reminder, the US 51/US 60/US 60 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, KY, and Cairo, IL, is restricted to a 7 ft. maximum vehicle width, a 19 ft. maximum vehicle length, and no trailers through about Sept. 14.  This essentially restricts the bridge to passenger vehicles and standard pickup trucks for the duration of that project.  All vehicles such as commercial trucks, motor homes, buses, and other vehicles that are over the 7 ft. width and 19 ft. length are excluded from the bridge work zone.