Last Saturday's Cafe LOUIE at the Jeffersontown Free Public Library was moved to the Main Library due to a power outage.

Our office has requested The Library Foundation to reschedule another Cafe LOUIE at Jtown Library.  When it is scheduled, I'll announce the new date in my eNews.

If you planned on attending last Saturday's meeting to speak to Councilman Kramer but were unable to make it due to the storms, please feel free to call me at 574-1111.

The Jeffersontown Library's power has been restored and is open.

On Saturday, March 11^th our contractor plans to shut down N. English Station Rd. from Aiken to Old Henry Rd. to complete full depth rehabilitation of the roadway.  The following weekend, starting Friday night, March 17 and into Saturday, March 18 the roadway will be shut down again for milling and paving of the roadway.  Several message boards are being installed today, March 6, to notify users of the upcoming closures. 

Public comment period begins March 7 and will run to April 4

TARC is asking for the public to comment on changes being proposed to ten current routes. These changes are being suggested to improve route efficiency, and adjust service to areas where it is most needed.

To read the full plan (available March 7), and view maps of the proposed changes please visit us at www.ridetarc.org.

TARC is proposing the below service adjustments to take place on August 6, 2023:

Routes 4 (Fourth Street), 6 (Sixth Street), 10 (Dixie Rapid), 18 (Dixie Highway), 72 (Clarksville), and 74 (Chamberlain Ln – River Ridge)

These proposed changes will improve service in the southwest area of the community, along Manslick Road, to St. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, JCTC Campus, and to Westport Road. Changes will reallocate duplicated service along the Dixie Corridor, already served by Dixie Rapid Route 10. 

Routes 17X (Bardstown Road Express), 31X (Middletown Express), 40X (Jeffersontown Express), and 61X (Plainview Express)

Due to low ridership, Express Route 61X will be discontinued. Also, to be discontinued due to low ridership are the express trip portions only from Routes 17, 31, and 40. To improve morning peak service a local trip has been added to Route 40.

TARC is reviewing and analyzing proposed service changes to ensure this proposal does not create any disproportionate burden or disparate impact on low-income and minority populations in the TARC service area.  Federally required Title VI evaluation will be developed to address any potential impact of these changes, and propose mitigation measures if required. Title VI evaluation and outcomes will be presented to the TARC Board of Directors for their review and approval.

Two open-house public meetings to discuss these changes in greater detail are scheduled to take place at Southwest Public Library from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, and at Union Station from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22.  Public comments regarding these changes will be accepted during the public comment period (March 07 through April 4) and may be submitted at Union Station (1000 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203), during the public meeting at Southwest Public Library (9725 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40272), or by email to: PublicComment@ridetarc.org.

All comments received will be considered and presented at the Board of Directors before service changes are finalized and implemented.

Funds will evaluate the Buckle Up Phone Down campaign through online survey, focus groups

Kentucky is the proud recipient of a $30,000 grant to promote safer highways through education by encouraging drivers to buckle up and avoid distractions behind the wheel. Funds will be used to evaluate the state’s Buckle Up/Phone Down campaign through public feedback, including an online survey available now.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) received the grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), in collaboration with General Motors (GM), to bolster the state’s Buckle Up/Phone Down campaign. Kentucky was one of seven states to receive funding to reduce distracted driving.

“We appreciate GHSA and GM for their recognition and support of our distracted driving awareness and prevention efforts,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “These funds will help guide our campaign focus for the future and ultimately; help save lives on Kentucky roadways.”

Kentucky’s Buckle Up/Phone Down campaign (bupdky.com) features videos, radio spots, social media and digital advertising in both English and Spanish throughout Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Focus groups and online surveys will be conducted to improve the campaign. The survey is open to the public and can be completed through April 15 at https://bit.ly/BUPDSurvey.

“We’re asking anyone interested to take the online survey,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Gathering opinions and ideas is imperative as we continue to develop and improve campaigns aimed at educating motorists on safe driving behaviors.”

Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads. According to KOHS, each year in Kentucky, distracted driving results in more than 50,000 crashes, more than 15,000 injuries and approximately 200 deaths.

“Distraction is rampant on our roads. Watch the passing cars the next time you’re waiting at a crosswalk or riding in a vehicle – odds are you’ll see someone not paying full attention to the road,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins. “Everyone must do their part to help make distracted driving socially unacceptable. We’re thrilled to be working with GM to support critical safety programs in Kentucky and across the country.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, texting and the use of a phone while driving is especially risky because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.

Visit bupdky.com to view the Buckle Up/Phone Down campaign.