Published: April 15, 2008 04:52 pm            

Seeking ideas — 04/16/08

State wants suggestions on reducing congestion on U.S. 60

We wish we could use this space today to unveil some inexpensive but effective way to ease traffic congestion on U.S. 60 between Ashland and Cannonsburg. But, alas, we confess to not having any truly innovative ideas to share.

In fact, the best plan we can come up with is the one the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet already is in the process of implementing: Constructing additional left turn lanes along the route. The Transportation Cabinet already is planning to add nine left turn lanes along U.S. 60 between Shopes Creek Road (Ky. 538) and Cannonsburg.

That should reduce the number of accidents on U.S. 60 by giving vehicles turning left a much safer place in which to wait for a break in on-coming traffic. At the same time, traffic in the faster moving left lane will not be slowed by vehicles waiting to make a left turn. The addition of a turn lane has greatly improved the flow of traffic on another heavily traveled stretch of roadway in northeastern Kentucky, Carol Malone Boulevard in Grayson.

However, beyond constructing additional turn lanes, we are at a loss as to what to do to improve traffic flow on U.S. 60. Many years ago, this newspaper suggested the construction of frontage roads on both sides of U.S. 60 to reduce the number of places where vehicles can enter and exit the highway. We still think that would have been an excellent idea, but it is at least 25 years too late to construct frontage roads along the highway.

However, just because we lack ideas for reducing traffic congestion on U.S. 60 doesn’t mean others do not have a few of their own ideas to share. That’s the purpose of a public meeting that will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 24 in the food court at the Kyova Mall. Transportation Cabinet officials and project consultants will be on hand to answer questions and take suggestions.

In one sense, the traffic congestion that has increased along U.S. 60 in the last decade is good news. Since the Boyd County Fiscal Court’s completion of a new sewer line along the four-lane highway , development along U.S. 60 has been phenomenal with retail businesses, restaurants and motels being built. That’s a good thing for the county’s tax base and for those residents who enjoy shopping and dining out. In fact, about the only negative aspect of the rapid growth is the increased traffic congestion.

The Transportation Cabinet’s plan for what to do about that traffic congestion still is in the early stages. That means it will probably be a few years before any suggestions made at the April 24 meeting are implemented.

Nevertheless, the cabinet is looking for fresh ideas. Ordinary Boyd County residents — particularly those who regularly travel on U.S. 60 — may just have some truly creative ideas to share.

        

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