A project to enhance the safety at the intersection of U.S. 68 and KY 73 in Logan County has begun at South Union. The project restricts aggressive and potentially dangerous traffic movements at the intersection by modifying the intersection to become a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT).
The RCUT intersection prohibits direct left turns from the side street and creates a two-stage process for left turns and straight through movements from the side street. Motorists turning left or traveling straight across the intersection will turn right to proceed to the custom left turn lane provided to make a U-turn. Once in the left turn lane, motorists will complete the U-turn when traffic is clear. The RCUT intersection improves sight distance and allows motorists to focus on traffic coming from one way at a time.
“Part of KYTC’s mission statement is to provide a safe, efficient transportation system,” said Joe Plunk, Chief District Engineer for District 3. “When the community brought the safety concerns to our attention last year, our team immediately sought solutions to enhance the safety of the intersection while keeping in mind that US-68 is the highest traveled roadway in Logan County. Our engineering team studied the intersection and the RCUT is the best solution for that particular intersection. The two-step process of using an RCUT allows motorists, including large trucks, to safely cross the four-lane roadway one direction at a time.”
The construction is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. Motorists should expect lane closures, different traffic movements and should use caution while in the construction zone.
The contract was awarded to Scotty’s Contracting and Stone in the amount of $896,523 in June.
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