US 60 Improvement Project
Ballard and McCracken Counties, KY
The proposed highway project involves the improvement of roughly six miles of US 60 near the Ballard/McCracken County line in western Kentucky, from east of LaCenter to the existing four-lane section east of Kevil. A range of build alternatives were analyzed to improve mobility and provide a safe connection for the traveling public.
US 60—locally named Hinkleville Road, Kentucky Avenue, and Paducah Road—is a two-lane rural highway with 11-foot lanes and 2-foot paved shoulders. It provides the only east-west principal arterial connection in Kentucky west of Paducah, connecting to the Ohio River Bridge at Wickliffe. The speed limit is 55 mph, dropping to 35–45 mph within Kevil. The route is listed on the National Highway System (NHS) and rated for AAA trucks (up to 80,000 pounds gross weight). The project corridor carries 5,000 to 7,200 vehicles per day, with truck traffic representing 10% to 17% of this volume.
Kentucky's FY2020-2026 Highway Plan identifies $13 million of federal funds within the biennium to work towards right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations. Based on our current status in the federal process and the amount of right-of-way needed, KYTC expects a late 2022/early 2023 project construction letting.
Purpose & Need
The purpose of the project is to improve mobility and safety for the US 60 corridor in eastern Ballard County. US 60 is the only east-west principal arterial link in Kentucky west of Paducah, leading to the only Ohio River highway crossing for an 80-mile stretch. Listed on the National Highway System and a state-designated truck route, its narrow lanes, limited passing opportunities, closely spaced access points through Kevil, and substandard curves make the route challenging for freight carriers. Further, five years of data show a history of crashes, with two high crash spots and five fatality collisions.
Alternatives
Beginning with a 2001 planning study, a series of potential improvements have been considered along this stretch of highway, culminating in three detailed study alternatives discussed in the Environmental Assessment (EA) , alongside the No Build Alternative.
- Alternative 1 begins east of the Humphrey Creek bridge, creating a new route on new alignment south of existing US 60. It ends at the improved four-lane section near Lester Harris Road. A four-lane divided rural highway is assumed. This option mimics the preferred alternative from earlier state-funded design work. Costs are estimated at $62 million.
- Alternative 2 begins east of the Humphrey Creek bridge, generally following the existing US 60 alignment. A four-lane divided rural highway with a five-lane urban section through Kevil is assumed but a narrower footprint with two to three lanes was also considered. Costs are estimated at $84 million.
- Alternative 3 begins east of the Humphrey Creek bridge, creating a new route along the old railroad bed west of Kevil, then generally following the existing US 60 alignment through Kevil to the east. A four-lane divided rural highway with a five-lane urban section through Kevil is assumed. A narrower footprint with two to three lanes was also considered. Costs are estimated at $69 million.
Larger scale mapping of the three alternatives was presented at a public meeting in Kevil during June 2019. Click the buttons below to view each map section.
Alternative 1, a four-lane highway on new alignment south of existing US 60, is the Preferred Alternative. It avoids/minimizes impacts to major red flag issues along existing US 60: homes and businesses, the high pressure gas lines/pump station, the Daher-TLI facility, etc. There are no impacts to public parks, wildlife refuges, or historic properties protected by Section 4(f) law. The vast majority of 2019 public surveys preferred it: 72–84% of over 300 respondents. Maintenance of traffic during construction is less complex as the existing highway can continue to carry traffic while the new facility is built. Plus, estimated costs for Alternative 1 are lower than the other Detailed Study Alternatives, with savings most notable in the right-of-way and utility phases.
The map below presents the preliminary designs for the Preferred Alternative. You can click, zoom, and scroll to view more details. Please note exact limits often shift throughout the final engineering design process as details are added.
Environment
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), KYTC conducted a range of studies to understand potential impacts on the human and natural environment. The findings are documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA) with an overview map shown below. Scroll left/right to view other sections of the corridor.
The preferred alternative impacts properties (mostly homes and farmlands) south of the current US 60 corridor, reducing pass-through traffic along the existing highway. However, widening existing US 60 through Kevil would displace many of the businesses lining the highway today.
Once all public comments are received through March 2021, the project team will consider comments and make a final decision regarding project implementation. The decision-making process will be documented in a Finding of No Significant Feedback (FONSI) to conclude the NEPA process. The FONSI will document comments received and any substantive changes. It will be published online once available.
Your Comments
With the publication of the EA, KYTC would like to hear your feedback on the project.
> A recording of the March 9, 2021 virtual hearing is accessible through YouTube by clicking the link below. The red button will pull up a transcript of the recording.
> Click the button below to share your comments with the project team. Comments will be accepted and entered into the project record through March 24, 2021.
For all other inquiries, please contact the project team:
Phone: (502) 892-6044
Email: US60Ballard@Qk4.com