Dear District Seven Team,
As we head into the Spring season, let’s look forward to what lies ahead this year while also recognizing recent accomplishments of our Team.
Our Planning Section staff in Project Development had another successful round of prioritizing highway plan projects for the Cabinet and the General Assembly to consider for the upcoming Highway Plan to be enacted. Our Design, Right of Way, and Utilities staff in Project Development staff have delivered the Brannon Road improvement project to a construction letting this month. This project will greatly improve the safety for those traveling this route.
In Project Development and Preservation (PD&P) our maintenance staff again met the challenges of a difficult winter season including the February event which had the longest number of consecutive days below freezing since 1978. In Construction our Danville Section just recently successfully administered a rehab project on the Bluegrass Parkway bridge over the Kentucky River.
In the Engineering Support Branch I want to recognize the continued efforts of our Structures Section to meet federal deadlines to inspect all of our bridges, the Traffic Section for their implementation of many improvements with signals, signs, markings, pedestrian facilities, the Materials Section for their work with PD&P staff to complete material certifications so that projects can be closed out, the Equipment Section for maintaining and managing our equipment, and the Roadside Section for keeping our roadsides safe.
As always let’s keep SAFETY at the forefront of all that we do. The improvements in our District Safety Program are what it is because of what you do each day!!
 Special Events
KYTC District 7 will host a blood drive in partnership with the Kentucky Blood Center on Thursday, April 2, from 7:30 a.m. to noon in the conference room at the district office.
Participation helps support patients across Kentucky and makes a meaningful impact.
 Employees who donate during scheduled work hours may be eligible for blood donation leave in accordance with state policy, with supervisor approval. Employees are required to complete a Blood Donation Leave Verification form following their donation.
101 KAR 2:102 Section 12:
(1) An employee who, during regular working hours, donates whole blood at a licensed blood center certified by the Food and Drug Administration shall receive four hours leave time, with pay, for the purpose of donating and recuperating from the donation.
(2) Leave granted pursuant to this section shall be used when the blood is donated unless circumstances as specified by the supervisor required the employee to return to work. If the employee returns to work, the unused portion of the leave time shall be credited as compensatory leave.
(3) An employee shall request leave in advance to qualify for blood donation leave.
(4) An employee who is deferred from donating blood shall not:
(a) Be charged leave time for the time spent in the attempted donation; and
(b) Qualify for the remainder of the blood donation leave.
(5) A donation initiated or attempted during an employee’s lunch period is outside of scheduled work hours and shall not qualify for any amount of blood donation leave.
 Special Events
 Special Events
District 7 will host upcoming equipment training at the 20-acre lot in Scott County, with sessions scheduled for April 28–30 and an additional advanced training day on May 1.
The training is designed to give employees hands-on experience with the equipment used in daily operations. Participants will have the opportunity to build skills and become more familiar with equipment such as backhoes, loaders, skid steers and slope mowers.
New this year, a load securement component has been added, and the advanced session will focus on more specialized equipment, including graders and mini excavators, for experienced operators.
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Special Events
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The mandatory driving class & course for our District will be held April 20th through April 23rd. We will have a makeup session on Friday the 24th. The class is mandatory for all KYTC employees and will include backing using a spotter.
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Project Updates
Work continues on the New Circle Road (KY 4) widening project in Fayette County.
Crews are currently working on Phase 2 of 3 for the bridge carrying New Circle Road over the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
Crews are setting beams for the third and final phase of the bridge carrying New Circle Road over Leestown Road. Widening of Leestown Road is also ongoing, along with pipe installation and signal work throughout the project area.
These improvements will enhance traffic flow and improve safety along this busy corridor. - Preston McDowell, PE
 Project Updates
From Newtown Pike to Paris Pike, we are completing sign installation and from Paris Pike to the southern split.
We recently finished the Paris Pike bridge widening, ongoing soundwall installation and continued interstate widening. - David Tipton, PE
 Safety
District 7 continues to emphasize safety through the implementation of the statewide backing and spotter hand signal policy. This standard ensures clear communication between operators and spotters when backing equipment.
Employees have also participated in training to become familiar with these hand signals and proper procedures, helping promote safer and more consistent practices in the field.
 Safety
 Safety
Highlights
District 7 responded to a significant snow and ice event that began January 24, impacting roadways across the region. Crews worked around the clock to treat routes, clear snow and maintain safe travel conditions.
From plow drivers to support staff, this was a true team effort. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone who played a role in keeping our roadways safe during this event.
 Highlights
The Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign (KECC) gives state employees an easy way to support communities across the Commonwealth through payroll deduction or direct giving.
Contributions help fund nonprofit organizations focused on Basic Needs, Family Stability, Education, and Health, improving the quality of life for Kentuckians.
KYTC is proud to have reached its $200,000 goal in 2025, ranking first among all cabinets.
District 7 also showed strong support, contributing 91% of its $10,500 goal!
To learn more or participate, visit www.kecc.org.
Highlights
 David Williams is from Garrard County, Kentucky, where he has lived most of his life.
He has been working with the state for 13 years and is a TET 3 within the Traffic Division. In this role, he works with district sign crews and coordinates with sign contractors to ensure signs are installed throughout District 7. He also serves on both the district and statewide safety committees.
In addition, David is a volunteer firefighter with the Lancaster City Fire Department, where he has served for nearly 15 years. Within the last year, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He volunteers because this is his community—he lives here, grew up here, and his family is here. It is his way of giving back to the citizens of Lancaster and Garrard County. He values the opportunity to help people and serve his community.
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