NOTICE:
The Whitley County Sheriff office will suspend the collection of the 2021 Property Tax bills starting December 1st 2021. Out Going Sheriff Todd Shelley will be retiring and Incoming Sheriff Danny Moses will be taking office. Collections will resume after the Official receipts have been signed by both parties.
PUBLIC NOTICE
I-75 Exit 15 Ramp Terminals – Roundabouts
Item No. 11-9015.20
Safety and Hazard Elimination
Whitley County
11-9015.20 Location Map
LINK:(https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictEleven/Documents/11-9015.20% 20Location%20Map.pdf)
11-9015.20 I-75 Northbound Exit 15 Concept
LINK:(https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictEleven/Documents/11-9015.20% 20I-75%20Northbound%20Exit%2015%20Concept.pdf)
11-9015.20 I-75 Southbound Exit 15 Concept
LINK:(https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictEleven/Documents/11-9015.20% 20I-75%20Southbound%20Exit%2015%20Concept.pdf)
Project Background
The purpose of this project is to address safety concerns with the existing Exit 15 ramp terminals at the intersection of I-75 and US-25W. The proposed project is needed since both intersections have experienced an elevated crash problem due to poor sight distance. This project is being developed through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and the preferred alternate is the installation of mini-roundabouts at the two intersections. The roundabouts are intended to remain almost entirely within the current intersection footprint, thereby reducing the cost, and environmental and utility impact of other alternates considered. Once completed, the roundabouts are also expected to improve traffic performance through the intersections.
Current Intersection Summary
Existing conditions at both intersections includes large rock faces in three of the four quadrants which greatly limits the Intersection Sight Distance (ISD). This is a likely contributing factor to the elevated crash rate. Over a five-year period across both intersections, there have been 36 crashes including eight injuries and one fatality.
Maintenance of Traffic and Alternate Routes
It is anticipated that alternating one-way traffic will be maintained on US-25W throughout the duration of construction by temporary signals. The preferred mini-roundabout alternative will require the Exit 15 ramp terminals be shut down for approximately six weeks. However, construction will be planned for the summer when school is out to minimize disruption to local traffic.
Alternate routes will include the use of Exit 11 to the South, and Exit 25 to the North.
Project Input
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would like to seek input from the public about this proposal, especially from drivers who use this road regularly or from people who live in the area. If you have any questions or concerns about this project, or would like any additional information, please contact the District-11 Environmental Coordinator at the email address below:
Joshuaj.higgins@ky.gov
