Weekend Closure of Leestown Road Needed to Complete Final Work and Transition Traffic to New Interchange
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 30, 2026) – Drivers may begin using Lexington's second Double Crossover Diamond (DCD) interchange Monday, Oct. 5, when the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) expects to open the new Leestown Road (US 421)/New Circle Road (KY 4) interchange to traffic, weather permitting. The opening marks a major milestone in the New Circle Road Widening Project and brings a proven safe intersection design to another one of Lexington's busiest corridors.
“In the first two years of the DCD installation at Harrodsburg Road, crash rates declined by 63 percent and traffic queues were reduced by half. Given the long-term growth this area has experienced, we’re excited to get this one open,” said KYTC District 7 Chief Engineer Kelly Baker. “We appreciate everyone's patience as we complete this final phase of work. Opening the DCD is a major step forward in delivering a safer, more efficient roadway for the thousands of drivers who travel through this corridor every day.”
To prepare for the opening, crews plan to close a portion of Leestown Road at the New Circle Road interchange beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, through 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5. The weekend closure will allow crews to complete the final roadway improvements and transition traffic to the new DCD configuration. If weather conditions impact work, the closure will be rescheduled to another weekend and KYTC will provide an update.
Weekend Closure and Detour Information
- Leestown Road will close between Taylor Drive and Opportunity Way from 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5.
- Exit 7 (US 421/Leestown Road) on New Circle Road will also be closed during this time.
Motorists should follow the posted detour and allow additional travel time throughout the weekend.
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New Circle Road traffic:Drivers traveling in either direction on New Circle Road should use Exit 6 (Old Frankfort Pike, KY 1681) as the alternate exit to access Leestown Road.
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Access to Leestown Road north of New Circle Road:Use Old Frankfort Pike (KY 1681) to Alexandria Drive to Leestown Road.
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Access to Leestown Road south of New Circle Road:Use Old Frankfort Pike (KY 1681) to Forbes Road to Leestown Road.
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Traveling from south to north on Leestown Road:Use Forbes Road to Old Frankfort Pike to Alexandria Drive to reconnect with Leestown Road.
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Traveling from north to south on Leestown Road:Use Alexandria Drive to Old Frankfort Pike to Forbes Road to reconnect with Leestown Road.
The closure is necessary to complete the remaining work needed to safely open the interchange, including roadway grading, curb and sidewalk improvements, and placement of approximately 3,100 tons of asphalt to establish the new roadway grades. Crews will also activate the new traffic signals and lighting, install permanent pavement markings and signs, and complete restoration work throughout the interchange.
The new DCD is scheduled to open to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5.
The Leestown Road/New Circle Road DCD is the second of its kind in Lexington, building on the success of the Harrodsburg Road/New Circle Road interchange that opened in 2011. Following the opening of that DCD, crashes along the corridor dropped 63% during the first two full years of operation compared to the previous two-year period. Traffic queues were also reduced by roughly half, improving travel times for the more than 35,000 vehicles that use the corridor each day.
The new interchange will features three lanes of New Circle Road in each direction with a paved median and barrier wall, similar to the existing DCD at Harrodsburg Road and New Circle Road. New sidewalks along Leestown Road will connect to existing sidewalks on both sides of New Circle Road and through the DCD. A sound barrier wall is also included on the inner loop from Leestown Road to the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge.
A DCD interchange briefly shifts traffic to the left side of the roadway between two signalized intersections, allowing drivers to make left turns onto ramps without crossing opposing traffic. The design reduces conflict points, improves traffic flow and allows signals to operate more efficiently. Clear pavement markings, traffic signals and signage guide motorists safely through the interchange. More information about the Double Crossover Diamond can be found here.
Motorists are encouraged to slow down, pay attention to the new pavement markings and overhead signs, and allow extra travel time as everyone becomes familiar with the new traffic pattern during the first few days after opening. Additional information, including an educational video explaining how to navigate the interchange, is available on the Driving Lexington Progress website.
The work is part of the New Circle Road Widening Project, which will widen New Circle Road between Leestown Road and Georgetown Road, reconstruct the interchange, improve pedestrian accommodations and increase roadway capacity to reduce congestion and prepare the corridor for future growth. The overall project is on track for completion in the summer of 2027.
Find more information online at DrivingLexingtonProgress.org.
All work and closures are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather conditions, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways.
District 7 includes: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties
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