Driving Lexington Progress Project Advances Along New Circle, I-75, Newtown Pike
Key work this year includes new travel lanes, interchange, and Meadowthorpe sound walls
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2026) — Infrastructure improvements are advancing on Driving Lexington Progress, a $168 million investment along New Circle Road (KY 4) at Leestown, Interstate 75, and Newtown Pike to boost safety, build better connections for stronger communities, and support Lexington’s economy and continued growth.
“These improvements reflect Gov. Beshear and Team Kentucky’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure in ways that move traffic safely and more efficiently while meeting the needs of our growing Kentucky families and businesses,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. “Together they will enhance the quality of life across all of Lexington and Fayette County.”
New Circle Road (KY 4) Widening at Leestown
A key part of Driving Lexington Progress is the widening of New Circle Road, one of the city’s busiest corridors. The project will complete the ongoing work to widen New Circle from Versailles Road to Newtown Pike by adding a travel lane in each direction between Leestown Road (U.S. 421) and the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
It also converts the Leestown interchange to a Double Crossover Diamond (DCD) – a design that improves safety and traffic flow by reducing conflict points and shortening signal wait times – and widens Leestown from Greendale Road to Lisle Industrial Avenue, upgrades ramps and bridges, increases overall capacity, and constructs long-anticipated sound walls for the Meadowthorpe neighborhood.
“We’re especially proud to have worked alongside Meadowthorpe residents and their representatives to deliver not just safety and traffic upgrades but also a reduction in traffic noise – something the community has made clear is a much-needed priority,” Secretary Gray said.
Work is now under way to build 3,760 feet of sound walls between Meadowthorpe and New Circle Road, a significant milestone that will provide a lasting neighborhood benefit.
“This is something we’ve been waiting for, and advocating for, over a long period of time,” said state Sen. Reginald Thomas, who represents District 13 in Fayette County. “It’s about making sure this project works for the community, as well as for the people driving through it. When New Circle was built, Meadowthorpe was the only residential neighborhood right next to it, and it is very deserving of a sound barrier wall that will reduce traffic noise and make a real difference in people's day-to-day lives. I’m proud, and thankful, that the promise made to the people of Meadowthorpe is a promise kept.”
In addition to building the sound walls, crews are currently completing the reinforced retaining wall on the outer loop near the railroad bridge. Construction of the final phase for the Leestown Road bridge is under way as part of the new DCD interchanges, as is Phase 2 of 3 on the railroad bridge, and widening work on Leestown. Originally slated for completion in summer 2027, the $51 million New Circle Road investment is now expected to finish early – by spring 2027.
I-75 Widening (Newtown Pike to Paris Pike, Paris Pike to Southern Split)
Significant progress continues along two back-to-back I-75 widening projects that will add a fourth lane in each direction of the interstate between Newtown Pike (KY 922) and the Southern Split.
On the northern segment from Newtown Pike to Paris Pike (US 27/US 68), crews are finishing installation of overhead sign supports and beginning construction of the Russell Cave Road sound wall.
On the southern segment between Paris Pike and the Southern Split, sound walls are currently under construction, and widening of the Paris Pike bridge is nearing completion. Grade work to accommodate an additional travel lane will begin this spring. The Paris Pike ramps will be widened soon, and the bridge will receive a new overlay in the coming months.
Slated for completion this fall, this $89 million investment will increase interstate capacity to four lanes in each direction, providing additional traffic capacity to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow and safety along the four-mile interstate corridor.
Newtown Pike (KY 922) Widening
Work on the Newtown Pike widening is set to progress this spring, with construction of the tunnel under Newtown Pike for Legacy Trail followed by road widening work starting in late spring or early summer. Realignment of Legacy Trail began in March.
Slated for completion in the summer of 2027, the $28 million Newtown Pike widening will improve safety and traffic flow by increasing capacity via the addition of one lane in each direction from I-75 to New Circle Road – just in time to accommodate the 70,000-plus daily travelers expected on Newtown Pike by 2030.
The Legacy Trail tunnel is a new 12-foot by 8-foot pedestrian and bicycle underpass located about 350 feet south of Citation Boulevard. The project will also add approximately 1,200 feet of new trail connecting Newtown Court, allowing cyclists to safely route off Newtown Pike at Newtown Court instead of riding along the busy roadway. Additional sidewalk and trail improvements will create safer, more accessible connections for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the area.
Visit the DrivingLexingtonProgress.org website to learn more about each project, view real-time traffic maps and see current travel advisories.
All work and/or closures are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways.
For traffic updates and road conditions, visit GoKY.ky.gov.
District 7 includes Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties.
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