Published: September 23, 2009 06:39 am      

Crossover almost complete on I-64

ASHLAND — An embankment failure on Interstate 64 near Catlettsburg may take months to repair and motorists should continue to be prepared for delays and traffic detours, a highway spokesman said Tuesday.


Video by John Flavell/The Independent

Highway crews were working Tuesday to prepare a “crossover” to connect

I-64’s westbound lanes to the eastbound side. The highway’s westbound lanes just west of Exit 191 have been closed since Monday morning and eastbound traffic is down to one lane.

“When it opens, all westbound traffic will be crossed over just east of the slide area into the eastbound lanes of

I-64 and then there will be two-way traffic for about one mile. Then the west bound traffic will cross back over and resume normally,” said Kentucky Transportation spokesman Allen Blair.

Blair said the westbound lanes could be reopened by tonight barring inclement weather or any construction issues. Blair said the crossover will remain in place for several months while contractors repair the slide and fix the damaged roadway.

He cautioned motorists to pay attention to signs and to drive slowly while the crossover is in place.

Motorists should be prepared to detour along the following route Wednesday morning and evening: Exit 191 at Catlettsburg to north U.S. 23 to west U.S. 60 in downtown Ashland, then west U.S. 60 to Cannonsburg at exit 185. Signs have been posted.

Contractors have been working since August to stabilize the slide as part of a $20.1 million project that includes repairs to two other slide areas, general roadway and bridge work, and resurfacing eight miles of the highway from the Big Sandy River bridge to just east of Coalton.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.