A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of US 60 West of Owensboro in Daviess County starting Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
This closure of US 60 starting around noon Wednesday, is for reconstruction of just over a ½ mile section of US 60 between Owensboro and the Stanley community. This work zone is near the Oakford Road Loop between US 60 Daviess County milepoint 5.690 and milepoint 6.282.
During the extended closure, there will be a marked detour via KY 1554, KY 56 and KY 279. However, to avoid congestion and delays along the detour it is highway recommended all through traffic between Owensboro and Henderson should detour via the Audubon Parkway.
This project is aimed at raising the driving surface along a section of US 60 to make it less likely the roadway will close during river flooding.
Since 1937, US 60 has been closed seven times due to floodwaters, an average of every 11.7 years. When floodwaters cover US 60, the Stanley community becomes an island creating a safety issue for area residents. Recent floods in 2011, 2015 and 2018 forced the roadway to close. Those closures severely hampered truck traffic going to and from the nearby Kimberly-Clark plant and forced the facility to close for a week.
The project includes construction and placement of several new culverts, as well as raising the elevation of the driving surface.
Approximately 3,500 vehicles travel this section of US 60 near Oakford Road Loop in an average day.
Yager Materials, LLC, is the prime contractor on this $2,397,837 highway improvement project. The contractor has 180 working days to complete the project, which puts the target completion date around the end of the year.
