United States Bicycle Route 76 signed in Western Kentucky

NEWS RELEASE

PADUCAH, KY (Thursday, May 26, 2016) – United States Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Trail, is now marked through Western Kentucky.   Signs have been placed along the route in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 and District 2 counties.

USBR 76 was established in 1976 as part of the country’s bicentennial and is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. It was one of the first two US Bicycle Routes established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the same organization that certifies the United States Numbered Highways system that includes routes such as US 60. The other original national bike route is USBR 1, which runs north-south through the Atlantic coast states.

KYTC District spokesman Keith Todd said a number of cyclists travel through the area along the route, mainly during the summer months.

“I regularly travel along sections of the bike route.  During the summer months you’ll encounter cross-country bicyclists a couple of times a week,” Todd said.  “They range from single bikers to groups of 3 to 5 generally with camping gear strapped to their bicycles.”

Todd noted that motorists who regularly travel highways that carry USBR 76 should be prepared to encounter bicycles and, “share the road.”

“The new signage may not immediately attract additional riders, but it will allow them to more easily travel the route without having to constantly check a map,” Todd said.

In Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1, USBR 76 follows KY 120 from the Crittenden-Webster County Line to Marion where it takes KY 91 North to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry to enter Illinois.

Prior to arriving at District1, USBR 76 enters District 2 in Ohio County from Grayson County via KY 54/KY 110 and follows KY 54 to KY 2671/Sugar Grove Road to KY 1414, then travels via KY 764/KY 1738 to the Daviess-Ohio County Line.  In Daviess County the bike route follows KY 764 to US 231, then follows KY 140 to the Daviess-McLean County Line.  In McLean County USBR 76 follows KY 140 and along KY 56 to enter Webster County.  In Webster County the bike route follows KY 56 to US 41, then joins KY 132 to the Webster-Crittenden County Line were it moves into KYTC District 1.

A map and more information is available at http://go.usa.gov/cuDvJ. Nationwide, the route runs from Virginia to Missouri, with plans to eventually extend it to the Pacific coast in Oregon.

 

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