The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is working on the design for a culvert replacement on KY 22 at Goose Creek.  They have made these emergency repairs a priority.  The work will require more than simply putting pipes in the ground and covering them with dirt and asphalt.  KYTC is working as quickly as possible to design the repairs, but they want a permanent fix so that we are not in this situation again after more heavy rains.  This repair will also accommodate a future widening project beginning next year that adds turn lanes at Springcrest Drive. 

KYTC staff is working to have the design completed, an estimate prepared, and the project advertised for construction within the next few weeks.  Once the project is under contract, the contractor will need to order components for the culvert.  The new culvert will be made of precast concrete structures that are fabricated off-site, delivered to the project area, and then installed using cranes.  KYTC has been in contact with some of the manufacturers and have been told to expect six to eight weeks to fabricate the structures.

Once the structures arrive on site, it will take another month or so for installation, pouring of the concrete footers, filling in the soil, paving the roadway, and installing guardrail.  The best case scenario is that all this work is completed by Labor Day.  Of course, weather and other unforeseen circumstances could delay the roadway opening.    

My office has been working with Metro Traffic Engineering to revise the traffic signal timing along the detour routes at Herr Lane and Westport Road The timing of the traffic signals at Wolf Pen Branch Road and Highway 42 have also been revised. These timing updates are critical to the area as it is seeing a large increase of traffic as people are having to develop alternative routes with the closure of KY 22. 

For up to date information on KY 22 like Councilwoman Leet on Facebook or follow her on twitter. You can also like KYTC District 5 on Facebook. 

The contractor has been selected to complete the work at the Washburn Avenue quiet zone. CSX has reviewed the contractor's credentials and is working out a schedule for its own crews to begin the work in conjunction with the contractor. Plans for the quiet zone included widening Washburn Avenue, installation of new barrier medians and upgrades made to the signal equipment.  

Once the work begins, the Washburn crossing is expected to be closed for 5 days. We will update you as we get a more accurate timeline for the project. The project is being funding by funds from the District 7 Capital Infrastructure Funds and the cities of St. Matthews and Lyndon. 

What's a quiet zone?

We are still awaiting the Final site-specific Environmental Assessment which is due sometime this spring. Councilwoman Leet continues to meet with all stakeholders to make sure that our veterans receive the very best care and that their needs are being met.  

The Rambler Garden Club is hosting its annual Mother's Day Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 9 AM to noon at Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, 4936 Brownsboro Road (across from Holiday Manor).

Drop by to select a perennial plant or herb for your mom or for your garden.

Proceeds benefit Botanica and the Louisville tree canopy project.

The return of spring brings with it the return of gardening and other yard work. It also means finding ways to dispose of yard waste that comply with the Yard Waste Container Regulation passed last year by the Louisville/Jefferson County Solid Waste Management District.

The good news is that most people are aware of the regulation and are complying with its requirements. Most of the approximately 80,000 households from which yard waste is collected are using containers prescribed by the regulation.  And most of those who say they were not previously aware of the regulation, when informed of the requirements indicate they will switch to approved containers.

The regulation prohibits collection services from collecting yard waste that is in traditional plastic bags. It requires instead that yard waste be set out by households in one of the following manners:

· In reusable containers up to 40 gallon capacity with handles and a lid

· In paper bags designed for yard waste

· In compostable plastic bags that meet ASTM D6400 standards

· Bundled and tied without a container

When collection services encounter yard waste in traditional plastic bags they will not collect it. Anyone wishing to report yard waste set out in plastic bags may notify MetroCall at 311 or 574-5000. Enforcement officers will provide further education the noncompliant households.

The purpose of the regulation is to save landfill space by diverting yard waste toward production of nutrient rich compost that can be used to improve yards. An attached fact sheet provides other useful information.

We also have supplies of paper yard waste bags, information sheets such as the attached Yard Waste FAQ, and yard waste labels for reusable containers available for free distribution. Please let us know if you would like some supplies. We’d also like to educate homeowners on the benefits of leaving grass clippings and mulched leaves on their yards. A video on the “Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em” campaign is available at http://cvp.telvue.com/player?id=T01343&video=219204.