UPDATE: KY 338 (Richwood Road) and US 25 (Dixie Highway) New Interchange to Open Friday, July 7
New interchange highlights major safety improvements by eliminating all at-grade railroad crossings for motorists
UPDATE (July 7, 2023) -- Due to inclement weather, the interchange at Richwood Road and Dixie Highway is now scheduled to open on Friday, July 7 at 8 p.m. KYTC will advise on social media if the opening is delayed further.
Additionally, the entrance to the nearby industrial park at Dixie Highway and Shorland Drive will be permanently closed to ALL traffic. All commercial vehicle traffic will take Richwood Road through the new interchange to access the nearby industrial park. Shorland Drive can be accessed through the interchange to Paper Boulevard. This configuration will greatly improve safety for all motorists by eliminating all at-grade railroad crossings near the interchange.
The graphic below shows the areas around the interchange that will close once the SPUI opens.
KYTC has maintained communication with nearby businesses to ensure the companies are aware of the upcoming traffic changes and available detours.
COVINGTON, Ky. (June 29, 2023) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) today announces the opening of an innovative highway interchange on KY 338 (Richwood Road) and U.S. 25 (Dixie Highway) in Boone County on Thursday, July 6.
The Single Point Urban Interchange, or SPUI, is set to open on Thursday, July 6 at 8 p.m. This type of interchange will improve safety, ease congestion, and decrease travel times. Message boards are in place to advise motorists of the upcoming traffic switch.
What to know:
The Richwood Road/Dixie Highway intersection has been replaced with a SPUI. This type of interchange allows for freer movement of traffic along both highways, with Richwood Road passing under Dixie Highway. Traffic on Dixie Highway will move continuously via a bridge over Richwood Road.
Driving eastbound or westbound on Richwood Road approaching Dixie Highway: access to Dixie Highway northbound/southbound will be made available via ramps, and traffic signals. Access to continue eastbound/westbound on Richwood Road will be through the same signalized intersection.
Driving northbound/southbound on Dixie Highway approaching Richwood Road: utilizing the respective exit ramps, drivers descend to Richwood Road below. Typical green guide signs will provide directions to go either eastbound/westbound.
So… what is a SPUI?
This type of grade-separated interchange is designed to move traffic at major intersection locations more safely and efficiently. In this traffic configuration, opposing left turns occur at the same time without crossing; reducing or eliminating multiple left-hand turn signal phases. Drivers move on grade-separated roadways that allow for freer movement of traffic. This type of interchange has only one set of traffic signals with upgraded technology that controls all movements. Clear pavement markings and signs guide traffic through the interchange.
An operational example of this type of interchange is at Burlington Pike (KY 18) – which allows traffic on KY 18 to move continuously through the interchange, while traffic on KY 237 is situated above KY 18. A single signal system on KY 237 controls all turning movements for the interchange. At the Richwood Road/Dixie Highway SPUI, the single signal system is on Richwood Road.
“The opening of the SPUI at the intersection of Richwood Road and Dixie Highway will improve safety, reduce travel time delays, and provide better connections to local destinations and a growing number of businesses in the area,” said Bob Yeager, Chief District Engineer for KYTC’s District 6 Office. “This type of interchange is a newer concept. It may take time for drivers to adjust to the new travel pattern. Our crews will be closely monitoring traffic when the interchange opens, and we’ll be making signal timing adjustments to ensure traffic continues to move efficiently.”
The new intersection will also eliminate two at-grade railroad crossings, “Safety is our number one priority. By eliminating these two at-grade railroad crossings on Shorland Drive and Richwood Road, this area will be much safer for all motorists,” Yeager said.
Sidewalks and shared-use paths are also provided with this construction. Upon completion of the overall project, multi-modal users will have connectivity along the length of the project corridor, from the intersection of Triple Crown Boulevard/Grand National Boulevard to Shorland Drive.
The project is expected to be completed Fall 2023.
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 The new Single Point Urban Intersection (shown above) is expected to open to motorists on Thursday, July 6. This photo, taken from the vantage point of Richwood Road looking east toward the new interchange at Dixie Highway.
PHOTO COURTESY: KYTC District 6
 A ground-level shot on Richwood Road looking east toward the SPUI at Richwood Road and Dixie Highway.
PHOTO COURTESY: KYTC District 6
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