Frankfort from State to Mellwood Paving

“Currently we are being held up on completing the portion of Frankfort from State to Mellwood by 2 separate utility repairs. LWC is working to update services in this area and they plan to complete that by July 31, 2013. This was an emergency program to avoid doing the work after we paved and having to leave dozens of patches in the road for years, until the next repaving. Also, MSD discovered a damaged storm sewer under Frankfort near State and they worked to fix the pipe today (07/17) and will be fixing the damage to the pavement later this week.  Based on that, we plan to complete the resurfacing the 1st week of August, weather permitting.”

Submitted by Kevin J. Bailey, P.E., Ky Transportation Cabinet - District 05

PARDON THE PROGRESS along Frankfort Avenue by shopping and eating along Frankfort Avenue - especially while the roadway is bumpy.  They need your business now more than ever!  

Traffic restrictions lifted on northbound Cannons Lane

“After observations on Monday, July 22 of the detour route for the I-64 West to I-264 West ramp closure in Jefferson County, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has decided to remove the temporary traffic restrictions on Cannons Lane.   The traffic signal at I-64 and Cannons Lane (Exit 10) has been adjusted to handle the flow of traffic utilizing the detour at this interchange. Northbound Cannons Lane has been reopened between Dutchman’s Lane and I-64.  Motorists are also able to once again exit from I-64 East and turn left to travel north on Cannons Lane.  The signed detour route for the I-64 West to I-264 West (Watterson Expressway) ramp closure continues to be I-64 West to Cannons Lane (Exit 10), access I-64 East and proceed to I-264 West.  This ramp is scheduled to reopen by 5:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29.”

Submitted by Andrea S. Clifford, Public Information Officer, Department of Highways - District 5

Grinstead Drive to be closed for Road Diet July 26-29

“Construction is scheduled to begin next week for a road diet of Grinstead Drive (KY 2860) between Cherokee Road and Cherokee Parkway (US 60A).  This one-mile section of roadway will be reduced from four travel lanes to two thru lanes, a continuous middle turning lane and one parking lane. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) awarded a contract in June for this project which includes resurfacing Grinstead Drive between Bardstown Road (US 31E) and Cherokee Parkway, improving drainage structures and upgrading sidewalk ramps to ADA compliance.

Work will begin next week on the improvements to the sidewalk ramps and drainage structures.  Lane closures are possible daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Crews will also be working on changes to the roadway signage and the traffic signal at the Cherokee Parkway intersection.  Upon completion of the project, there will be a dedicated left turn lane from southbound Grinstead Drive to Cherokee Parkway. 

Grinstead Drive is scheduled for closure between Cherokee Road and Cherokee Parkway (mile points 0.09 and 0.94) from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and 5:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29.  Local access will be allowed for residents on the northbound direction only of Grinstead Drive during this closure.  All through traffic must follow the signed detour via Cherokee Road and Cherokee Parkway.

Grinstead Drive has one of the highest crash rates in Jefferson County.  The goal of this project is to improve safety by reducing roadway run-offs, side swipe collisions and head-on crashes,” stated Matt Bullock, Chief District Engineer for the Department of Highways District 5 Office in Louisville. “The high friction pavement will act to reduce lane departures. The two-way left turn lane will act as a buffer between opposing traffic to reduce side-swipe collisions as well as provide left turn storage for vehicles.”

KYTC partnered with Louisville Metro Councilman Tom Owen, Louisville Metro Department of Public Works and the Louisville Metro Police Department to develop this project.  The proposed striping plan was presented to the public in the fall of 2011 followed by a two-week comment period. 

The starting date and duration of work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.”

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Ms. Andrea Clifford, Public Information Officer, at 210-5403.

There is a new rain garden, installed by the Jefferson County Extension Service, at Karen Lynch Park at the corner of Brownsboro Road and Story Avenue.  The rain garden will catch water from the parking lot nearby and infiltrate it into the groundwater rather than following into nearby Beargrass Creek.  This will help clean the runoff, lower erosion, and regenerate the water table.  The plants in the rain garden are mainly native plants, which will provide wildlife habitat and clean our air.  The rain garden is one of the first features of the Green Park that is being installed at Karen Lynch Park, which will showcase green infrastructure that can help local water quality.  Stay tuned for updates on the Green Park construction.  Photo by Hayley Pierce, Extension Service.

USA Gymnastics U.S. Acrobatic Championships at the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), Exhibit Hall 2C & Rooms 109-112 this weekend, July 27-31, 2013.  Tickets range from $13-$55.  USA Gymnastics is based in Indianapolis; USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States.  Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.  Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and group gymnastics.  For more complete information, log on to www.usagym.org.  Questions please contact Jordan Dillon at (317) 237-5913 or email jdillon@usagym.org.

For 2013, the BATS FREE ticket program has been split into 2 parts, with each part described in detail below: (Note: Some dates may have already passed)

(Part 1- Metro Council Community Nights) The Bats will host 2 large community nights and provide tickets, hot dogs and drinks to non-profit groups who would not be able to afford a Bats game under regular circumstances. These 2 nights will include 4,000 guests for each game – Tuesday, June 25 and Tuesday, July 30.

(Part 2 – Metro Council Mondays) The Bats will host groups and small numbers of people doing the good of the community that might not fit into the category above. This includes 12,000 total ticket vouchers (without hot dogs and drinks) distributed for use on ANY of these 5 designated nights: May 27, June 10, June 24, July 29, and August 26 (all Mondays). The benefit is an increase in the number of people involved and greater flexibility to obtain complimentary tickets – the groups are able to choose their own date within these 5 nights.

To request tickets for either program, please send an email to: Dustin Mercurio, Louisville Bats at dmercurio@batsbaseball.com.  Please include the following:  

Organization name, contact name, mailing address, email address, daytime phone number, number of tickets, and date requested – June 25, July 30, or Part 2/Mondays.  If email is not available to you, please call Dustin Mercurio at 502-614-4525