Commonwealth of Kentucky
Transportation Cabinet

Ramps at Purchase Parkway/KY 339 Wingo Exit 14 Are Open in Graves County

Reminder:  U.S. 51 Fulton Exit 1 is closed with a marked detour

PADUCAH, Ky. (October 26, 2023) – A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has reopened all ramps at the Julian Carroll-Purchase Parkway/KY 339 Wingo Exit 14 interchange.  The Exit 14 ramps reopened at 4:45 p.m., CDT, today.

The Purchase Parkway/KY 339 Wingo Exit 14 ramps have been closed since July 10 to allow reconstruction of the old toll booth interchange to meet current interstate standards and enable the parkway to be designated Interstate 69. The new modified diamond design provides enhanced safety for motorists traveling at interstate speeds.

Once the project is complete and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved, I-69 will be extended southward along the parkway from the 21-mile marker at Mayfield to the Kentucky-Tennessee State Line at Fulton by late 2024.  The contractor continues to have northbound and southbound lane restrictions along the Purchase Parkway for various construction activities, including placement of new guardrail, drainage improvements, and upgrades to bridges and overpasses.

Reopening of the Exit 14 interchange restores connectivity for the Wingo area of Graves County, as well as the connection for Hickman County via KY 58.  It also provides a midpoint outlet for traffic when there is a crash in the work zone along the parkway.

Barrier wall used to enhance the safety of workers and motorists during reconstruction of the Exit 14 ramps has been moved to the U.S. 51 Fulton Exit 1 interchange, which is expected to be closed for about 45 days to allow a less-extensive reconstruction of ramps there.

There is no public access to or from the Purchase Parkway at U.S. 51 Fulton Exit 1 while ramps are extended and shoulder areas reconstructed.  Portable message boards will alert motorists to the ramp closures with a signed detour.

There is a marked detour for U.S. 51 with motorists using KY 2568 Fulton Exit 0 at the Kentucky-Tennessee State Line, U.S. 45, and KY 307 Exit 2 as Parkway access points.

Southbound traffic on U.S. 51 seeking to take the Purchase Parkway northbound will continue to U.S. 45 North to reach KY 307 North to access the parkway at Fulton Exit 2.  Northbound U.S. 51 traffic from Tennessee into Kentucky can access the City of Fulton via U.S. 45, Purchase Parkway/KY 2568 Fulton Exit 0, KY 307 Exit 2, or continue northbound on the Purchase Parkway toward Mayfield.

This extended ramp closure at Exit 1 will also impact Clinton/Hickman County area residents who access the parkway southbound via Exit 1.  The closure of all ramps at Exit 1 is expected to be in place until approximately December 15, 2024.

Motorists should be mindful of construction activity along the Purchase Parkway from the Kentucky-Tennessee state line at Fulton (mile point 0.0) to the end of I-69 at the 21-mile marker near the U.S. 45/KY 80-Bypass at the southwest edge of Mayfield.

There is a 55 mph work zone speed limit with an enhanced police presence in areas where construction crews are present.

Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on this $33.9 million project.  The target completion date for all of the parkway upgrades is December 15, 2024

On completion, the project will allow Interstate 69 to be extended along the final 21 miles of the existing parkway to the Kentucky-Tennessee State Line.

Along with ongoing construction to complete a new I-69 Ohio River crossing between Henderson and Evansville, Indiana, this project through parts of Graves, Hickman and Fulton counties is a significant step toward completing I-69 through Kentucky.

A video of the new ramps is available at www.Facebook.com/KYTCDistrict1..

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