The so-called Texas Turnaround work will force the closure of a pair of interstate ramps in Covington.
When completed, the $8.8 million project will lead drivers looking to access I-71/75 northbound via Fourth Street on a new route. The “turnaround” will take drivers on an access route to enter the interstate at Pike Street using the existing ramp that carries traffic on the southbound side of the highway, then turn left onto a new ramp, then left again onto I-71/75 northbound.
There will be no traffic signals throughout the procedure. The existing ramp from 4th Street in downtown Covington to I-71/75 northbound will be limited to emergency vehicles only.
The goal is to make accessing the Brent Spence Bridge safer and to ease the congestion that occurs there daily.
As work continues, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced this week that two interstate ramps in Covington will close on Monday, April 4 for a period of roughly six months.
The Pike Street entrance ramp to northbound I-71/75 and the exit ramp from northbound I-71/75 to Fifth Street in Covington will shutter at 9 p.m. on Monday.
Marked detour routes will direct drivers wanting to get on the interstate to follow Bullock Street to southbound I-71/75 to the Kyles Lane exit, where they can re-enter northbound I-71/75.
Likewise, drivers wanting to exit the interstate into Covington will be directed to use the 12th St./M.L. King Jr. Boulevard exit and then follow Simon Kenton Way to Pike Street to Main Street to Fifth Street.
The project is scheduled to be finished by December 1.
Updates can be found at www.drivingNKYProgress.org.
