(Image: KYTC)
Drivers need to be aware a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of U.S. 60 near the Crittenden County High and Middle School Complex and Crittenden County Hospital in Marion starting Monday.
District 1 spokesman Keith Todd says this closure of U.S. 60/West Gum Street, approximately 150 feet east of the Country Club Drive intersection, is to allow a large cross-drain to be replaced near the hospital entrance. He says this work is to facilitate construction of a new turn lane for the schools and the hospital.
According to Todd, the road at this stie is expected to close promptly at 6:00 Monday morning and remain closed for about three days. The road is expected to reopen to traffic late in the day on Wednesday.
He says local access will be maintained on each side of the closure with access to the hospital available from U.S. 60 on the east side of the closure and via Country Club Drive on the west side of the closure.
A marked detour has already been established for passenger vehicles via KY 981/Old Salem Road and KY 91/West Bellville Street. Todd indicates commercial trucks should seek an alternate route.
When the roadway reopens, Todd says the U.S. 60 turn lane work zone will return to one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by an automated signal with a 10 ft. maximum load width restriction. The marked detour will remain in place to help reduce traffic delays in the work zone.
According to Todd, the new center turn lane will serve two school entrances to the Crittenden County Middle School and High School Complex and two entrances to Crittenden County Hospital. The project includes additional work along U.S. 60 West of Marion to the KY 297 intersection near the 6-mile marker.
Some additional closures of U.S. 60 may be required for various phases of the work through the summer.
Jim Smith Contracting is the prime contractor on the nearly $1.9 million project. The target completion date is August 10.
