A project to widen US 62 in Lyon County East of Eddyville is expected to be open to 4-lane traffic running on base courses of asphalt by about Christmas. However, finish paving to provide a final driving surface along US 62 from mile point 9.2 at Commerce Drive to mile point 12.1 at the Interstate 69 Interchange will have to wait until spring.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 spokesman Keith Todd noted that with shorter days and colder temperatures, waiting until spring for paving of a final driving surface will net smoother and longer-lasting asphalt.
While motorists are waiting for that final coat of asphalt, they’ll be getting some extra improvements that include a lengthening of the project boundaries.
“The good news is that the project has netted substantial savings due to lower oil prices. Those savings, estimated at about $300,000, will be used to extend the center turn lane along US 62 up to the KY 93Fairview Avenue intersection in Eddyville,” Todd said.
The contractor plans to start work this week to remove the median area extending a center turn lane between Commerce Drive and the KY 93 intersection.
“That extra work should be completed by about Christmas,” Todd said. “Our contractor will then stripe the entire project to allow 4-lane traffic from KY 93 to the I-69 Interchange. They will then return in the spring to place a final driving surface on the remainder of the project.”
At this time, two-way traffic is running along US 62 between Commerce Drive at mile point 9.2 and the Interstate 69 Interchange at mile point 12.1. Motorists should be alert for the addition of traffic restrictions along the median between Commerce Drive and KY 93/Fairview Avenue in Eddyville starting today.
The traffic signal at the US 62/US 641 Intersection will remain on a timer with no traffic activation.
Jim Smith Contracting is the prime contractor on this $14.8 million project.