KYTC Announces "Texas Turnaround" Project, Which is Expected to Significantly Improve Safety and Access for Northbound I-71/75 Traffic from Downtown Covington
Crews will begin set-up within portions of the work zone beginning next week
COVINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2022) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) today announced construction of a project to improve safety and access for traffic heading northbound into Ohio from Covington, Kentucky, by giving drivers more time to move to their intended lane, will start soon.
Named because of its beginning and subsequent popularity in the State of Texas, the Texas Turnaround is a travel pattern that helps traffic move more efficiently through busy highway interchange areas.
Once construction is completed, the existing entrance ramp from 4th St. in Downtown Covington to I-71/75 northbound will be permanently closed. Following clearly-marked signage, drivers will access Pike St. by using the existing ramp that carries traffic to I-71/75 southbound, then turn left onto a new ramp, then left again onto I-71/75 northbound. There will be no traffic signals throughout this movement.
Additional project components include:
- Restriping the travel lanes on I-71/75 northbound to provide an additional travel lane from Pike St. to the Brent Spence Bridge.
- Reconstructing the bridge that carries traffic from I-71/75 northbound to 5th to accommodate the new traffic pattern.
- Upgrading traffic signals for local traffic at Pike St.
- Building various safety features, including crosswalks and new sidewalks, for pedestrians in the Pike St. area.
“Currently, a northbound driver who enters I-71/75 northbound from the 4th St. on-ramp in Covington and wants to continue north to I-75 in Ohio has to cross multiple lanes of travel – on the bridge,” said Bob Yeager, Chief District Engineer of KYTC’s District 6 office. “The new travel pattern will provide more time for drivers to safely change lanes,” he continued.
KYTC has worked closely with the City of Covington on planning the project and Covington Mayor Joe Meyer praised Kentucky transportation officials for moving forward with the project.
“The ‘Texas Turnaround’ is a practical, feasible, and cost-effective way to increase safety in a tremendous way by giving drivers more time and space to change lanes,” Mayor Meyer said. “We’re thrilled that KYTC has worked to make this a reality even as the larger discussion continues about how to increase capacity of the Brent Spence and upgrade the Interstates 71-75 crossings over the Ohio River.”
KYTC released the following weather-dependent schedule, as crews begin initial set-up in portions of the work zone:
Wednesday, March 16, weather permitting:
Beginning at 10 p.m., Wednesday night, crews will begin setting-up the work zone for the Texas Turnaround project. The right lane of the ramp from I-71/75 southbound to Pike St. will be closed. One lane of travel will remain open on the ramp at all times. This travel pattern is expected to remain in place for approximately three months.
KYTC also noted that the entrance ramp to I-71/75 northbound from 4th St. will not immediately be closed, and is not anticipated to close until closer to project completion, which is expected by the end of the year. Timing of the closure of the entrance ramp to I-71/75 northbound from Pike St., as well as the exit ramp from I-71/75 northbound to 5th St. will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sunesis Construction Company of West Chester, Ohio, was awarded the contract with a low bid of $8.8 million.
The project is scheduled for a Dec. 1, 2022 completion. Project information and updates can be found on the website, DrivingNKYProgress.org.
Motorists can get Northern Kentucky road construction updates on DrivingNKYProgress.org and the District 6 Road Report. Follow KYTC District 6 on our Facebook page at KYTC District 6 or on our Twitter page at KYTC District 6. For Kentucky’s latest traffic and travel information, visit GoKy or navigate traffic by downloading the free Waze app at WAZE
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