Shelby County highway project beginning next week

SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A new outlet shopping center and other development in central Kentucky will benefit from a highway widening project that starts next week.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says Kentucky 1848 will be widened from two lanes to five between Interstate 64 and U.S. 60 in Simpsonsville.

District 5 Highways Department Chief Engineer Mark Bullock says the additional lanes will benefit traffic flow, while providing a dedicated turning lane for left-turning vehicles will reduce congestion.

Trees and brush along the existing roadway will be cleared starting next week, and crews will build a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad during the winter.

Traffic won’t be affected during this phase, but some lane closures will be necessary once construction of the additional lanes begins next spring.

Completion is scheduled for June 2016.

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