The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet along with local and state officials celebrated the opening of the Russellville Southern Bypass Project Tuesday. The ceremony took place on the new roadway near Russellville High School and the new section opened moments after the ceremony concluded.

The Russellville Southern Bypass Project is a section of roadway approximately four and half miles long that connects KY 100 to U.S. 79. The roadway is a new route featuring a two-lane roadway with turning lanes at intersections and a truck climbing lane. Right-of-way was acquired for an ultimate four-lane divided highway for future expansion. The project was awarded to Scotty’s Contracting & Stone, LLC in November 2015 in the amount of $12,824,639.

This project completes the final leg of four major projects to loop around the City of Russellville. The route gives motorists, particularly large commercials vehicles, a safer and more efficient way to navigate through and around the city.

“Opening this section of the bypass completes the 12-mile loop and 25-year vision of the community to enhance mobility and provide opportunity for future development and growth,” said Joe Plunk, Chief District Engineer for the District 3 office. “The southern bypass directly benefits the city by serving as an alternate route for truck traffic away from congested areas like 9^th Street and Nashville Street.”

The earlier phases of the bypass began decades ago. The northwest quadrant connecting U.S. 431 to U.S. 79 started in the early 1990s. Bidding for the grade and drain contract took place in October 1991 with the surfacing bid in July 1994. The construction cost of this section was $6.5 million.

The northeast quadrant connecting U.S. 68 to U.S. 431 had its first bid with the grade and drain contract in December 1994 and the surfacing contract bid in September 1997. The cost of this section was $9.8 million.

The southeast quadrant connecting KY 100 to U.S. 68 was bid in April 2010 at a cost of $3.5 million.

The total construction cost for the entire Russellville Bypass is approximately $32.7 million and took more than 25 years of development.

“I’m excited for Logan County and the City of Russellville to have this bypass project completed,” said 3^rd District Kentucky State Senator Whitney Westerfield. “This is a quarter of a century of work to help make the economic development argument for this city and county stronger than it already is. It took a lot of effort from a lot of folks over a couple of different administrations and generations of legislatures and leadership at the local and county level. But all those folks got together from different parties over different times to see the value in making sure this got done. What a treat it is for me today to celebrate it.”

Logan County Judge/Executive Logan Chick cut the ribbon, flanked by Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton, LEAD Executive Director Tom Harned, Westerfield and Plunk.

Stratton thanked former State Rep. Martha Jane King for her efforts over the years in helping make the project become a reality.

Karen Logan of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce represented local businesses and other Chamber members at this special occasion.