Improved U.S. 421 in Clay County Provides Safer Connections for Kentuckians
Enhanced four-lane road offers new turn lanes, signals, sidewalks, more
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 9, 2024) – A $24 million improvement project along portions of U.S. 421 in Clay County, including newly paved four lanes and other highway enhancements, has been completed to provide safer and better connections for drivers and pedestrians and to improve quality of life for all Kentuckians who rely on the highway.
“A great transportation system is key as we continue to build our new Kentucky home,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This project does that by offering more efficient commutes for more people and benefits all road users with safe options to get around more conveniently.”
The U.S. 421 improvement project, which began in 2021, reconstructed the highway from KY 80 at Manchester south to KY 1999 (Paces Creek Road) as well as reconfigured the U.S. 421 and KY 149 intersection. It included a wider U.S. 421 with four lanes and a center turn lane, dedicated right-turn lanes and a new sidewalk, as well as enhanced highway entrances, new traffic signals, new bridges, new curbing, and improved storm sewer and drainage systems.
“This project has been in the works for many years, and I am so pleased to see the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet complete it,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “Not only do these improvements save travelers time, the highway now provides safer access to many businesses along the route closer to downtown Manchester. We are growing so much that these developments will alleviate congestion in the area.”
Improved safety, increased capacity for vehicular travel, added safety and capacity for pedestrian mobility and increased efficiency for drainage are among the many benefits of the project.
“The 421 expansion has been a tremendous benefit for the Clay County Board of Education,” said Clay County Superintendent William Sexton. “It will make a difference this fall by providing a safe environment for Paces Creek Elementary, the bus maintenance center and our storage facility for those entering and exiting our facilities. We appreciate KYTC District 11 for the work they do in our community.”
New enhancements include the addition of a two-way left-turn lane throughout the project along with reconstructed intersections complete with turn lanes at the crossings of KY 3480, KY 11 and KY 149 to enhance traffic safety.
For example, the realigned KY 11 connection provides traffic with a new signalized T-intersection that offers drivers better views of oncoming traffic and an exit ramp-style turn lane for southbound U.S. 421 travelers.
Work on the project was completed by Bush & Burchett, Inc., under a $23.4 million KYTC contract.
A map of the project is available here: Clay County Project.jpg
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