A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of US 60 near the Union-Henderson County Line starting Monday, July 22, 2019.
This closure along US 60 from the 24 mile marker to the 26 mile marker in Union County is to allow placement of two pre-fabricated drainage structures to help reduce roadway flooding. This section of US 60 along Casey Creek and near Highland Creek between Waverly and Corydon is threatened by floodwaters from time to time and is occasionally forced to close.
To facilitate the culvert work, US 60 will be closed at this site for approximately two weeks with a marked detour provided along KY 359 and KY 136 through Smith Mills. The new culverts will have to be placed one at a time to maintain access to homes within the project area. They will replace two concrete culverts that were constructed around 1930. The new culverts will be wider and stronger to carry the additional layers of asphalt required to raise the elevation of the roadway.
Prior to the closure of US 60 on July 22, the contractor and KYTC personnel will be involved in prep work at various locations along the right-of-way. Caution is required.
Once the new drainage structures are completed and the roadway reopens, another contractor will establish a work zone along this section of US 60 to add new asphalt to raise the driving surface about 2.5 ft. at the two lowest points.
The paving portion of the work will be completed over a couple of months under traffic using work zone lane restrictions with alternating flow controlled by flaggers. The contractor will add asphalt in 4 inch layers until the elevation of the roadway is completed.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will attempt to provide timely updates as the work progresses.
Approximately, 5,800 vehicles travel this section of US 60 in the Royster’s Curve area of Union County in an average day.
The total cost of the flood relief project is about $2.5 million.