Boone County is doling out over $150,000 for a road widening project in southern Boone County.
Last week, the Boone County Fiscal Court approved a change order worth $169,309 for additional work to widen Frontage Road for the Union-Walton paving project.
During a meeting on Jan. 9, the fiscal court approved a contract from Covington-based Eaton Asphalt to resurface certain roads in the Union-Walton area. The project would pave over ten miles of county streets and retrofit eight sidewalk ramps for ADA compliance. Boone County Engineer Rob Franxman said the project’s estimated completion date was Sept. 1, 2024.
Commissioner Jesse Brewer called the move “a right step.”
“It doesn’t sound like an exciting agenda item for those not familiar with the area but we’re over here jumping up and down in our seats,” he said.
The work is divided into two categories, site preparation and full-depth repaving, which both cost different amounts.
“The additional work falls into two categories: site preparation at a cost of $56,000 and full depth paving at an approximate cost of $111,000,” Franxman said.
He went on to state that the work was to improve traffic and safety at the intersection of KY-338, or Richwood Road and Frogtown Connector Road. A Pilot Traveling Center is located adjacent to the interchange. If there is a traffic backup caused by tractor-trailers entering the station, it can lead to unsafe road conditions.
“As you are all aware, tractor trailers entering the Pilot fueling center often back up onto KY-338 and sometimes even the interstate ramps, causing significant traffic and safety issues,” Franxman said. “County staff has been working with Pilot employees to change the truck circulation to relieve the backups associated with the entering off Frogtown Connector Road.”
Moving forward, trucks will no longer be permitted to enter the fueling center from Frogtown Connector Road. Instead, they will be forced to pass the fuel center and enter from Frontage Road at the back of the Pilot station.
The widening of Frontage Road will create a three-lane intersection that can accommodate two-way traffic along the road and provide an approximate 1,200-foot turn lane for trucks to queue if traffic stalls.
The Boone County Public Works Department will install temporary concrete blocks to restructure the turn lane. Additionally, new signage will be installed to direct drivers.
Commissioner Cathy Flaig said she had fielded several complaints from people concerned about the safety surrounding the intersection.
“That’s that area that’s so dangerous,” Flaig said. “So many people complain about that area all the time.”
