U.S. 68 to Reopen to Traffic Friday, Sept. 4 Over Interstate 24 Exit 16 in McCracken County
First roundabout constructed on a state highway in District 1
Paving scheduled near U.S. 68 & KY 284 intersection starting Sept. 8
PADUCAH, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2026) – U.S. 68 will reopen to traffic over Interstate 24 Exit 16 in McCracken County at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. This includes all four ramps entering and exiting I-24 at this interchange.
A roundabout has been constructed on U.S. 68 at the interstate overpass, marking the first roundabout constructed on a state highway in KYTC District 1.
The speed limit is 35 mph, with a 25 mph advisory speed in the roundabout. KYTC has also established two 45-mph transition zones on U.S. 68 in advance of the 35-mph zones. The signs are installed, and the new speed limits are subject to enforcement.
The interchange closed on June 22, and construction was completed in about two and a half months – well ahead of the original four-month estimate.
The full closure allowed crews to work more efficiently and complete the project in a significantly shorter timeframe than would have been possible with extended lane restrictions and multiple temporary closures.
Work Continues on the Project
Although the project is nearing completion, some work remains.
Paving near the intersection of U.S. 68 and KY 284 is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and is expected to last approximately four days. Pavement striping and other finishing work will follow.
While the roadway will remain open during paving operations, motorists should anticipate various traffic shifts and expect some delays.
Once completed, the intersection at U.S. 68 and KY 284 will be a modified Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT). The RCUT design improves safety by eliminating left turns and through movements from the minor street, thus reducing the number of vehicle conflict points and lowering the risk of serious crashes.
Jim Smith Contracting is the primary contractor for this $3.6 million roundabout project. It was funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), a federally funded state-administered program that uses data to identify projects that can have the greatest impact on highway safety. Funding is awarded to projects across the state that have the potential to reduce crashes and improve safety in the most cost-effective way.
Understanding the New Roundabout
A roundabout is a circular intersection where traffic travels counterclockwise around a central island. While roundabouts can take many shapes, their design is determined by factors such as the location of the existing roadway and the number and configuration of the connecting “legs.”
Depending on those factors, a roundabout may be circular, oval, kidney-shaped or, as in this case on U.S. 68 at Exit 16, dogbone-shaped. Roundabouts may also be designed as either one-lane or two-lane intersections.
Ultimately, the shape of a roundabout is less important than how it safely and efficiently moves traffic through the intersection.
Roundabouts are a nationally proven innovative intersection design that provides a 37% reduction in overall crashes and a 75% reduction in injury crashes by reducing conflict points and the risk of right-angle, or more severe, crashes.
Tips for Navigating a Roundabout
Roundabouts are designed to accommodate all vehicle types, including passenger cars, tractor-trailers, school buses, and vehicles towing boats or trailers.
The design features a truck apron, which helps large vehicles safely navigate the turns. The apron is raised slightly above the roadway and constructed with a different color and texture to distinguish it from the regular travel lane. It allows trucks, buses, and other large vehicles to track over it while turning within the roundabout.
When navigating a multi-lane roundabout, motorists should follow pavement arrows directing them into the appropriate lane. Drivers entering the roundabout should yield to vehicles already in the roundabout, which have the right of way.
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Roundabouts, and other safer road designs such as Reduced Conflict U-Turns (RCUTs), are a part of KYTC’s ongoing strategic efforts to improve highway safety statewide.
In District 1, approximately 18 additional roundabout projects are currently in the design phase, with construction expected over the next five to seven years.
Learn more about roundabouts on the KYTC’s SAFERoad Solutions website at https://transportation.ky.gov/saferoadsolutions/.
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