UPDATE: US 23 to reopen in Greenup County, detours ending

UPDATE POSTED 4:30 P.M. FEB. 25, 2021

GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Crews will reopen US 23 in Greenup County late Thursday afternoonas utility work at a high-power transmission line tower nears completion. Detours will cease and all lanes will open gradually by 5 p.m., beginning with northbound lanes

At the request of American Electric Power, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet closed US 23 on Monday just north of the Industrial Parkway (KY 67) and rerouted all traffic as a safety precaution while utility crews made repairs to an ice-damaged steel tower that carries a 765-kilovolt transmission line across the highway.

ORIGINAL STORY

GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – All lanes of US 23 will be closed beginning around 7 p.m. just north of the Industrial Parkway (milepoint 8.6) in Greenup County and all traffic rerouted as American Electric Power works at a tower carrying overhead transmission lines.

According to AEP, engineers are conducting an emergency evaluation of a 765-kilovolt transmission line tower because a portion of the structure and several insulators are hanging improperly after recent ice storms.

Given the tower’s proximity to US 23 travel lanes, AEP requested the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reroute all US 23 traffic while crews are working at the location to ensure public safety.

All US 23 traffic will be rerouted between the Industrial Parkway and Greenup using the parkway (KY 67), KY 207, and KY 1. The following signed detour is being established:

• Northbound US 23: All traffic should turn left on KY 67 south at Wurtland, travel KY 67 for four miles, then exit right onto KY 207, and follow KY 207 to KY 1 north to return to US 23 at Greenup.
• Southbound US 23: All traffic should turn right on KY 1 south, travel KY 1 for nearly 5 miles, then turn left on KY 207 towards Flatwoods, then at the interchange take KY 67 north to return to US 23 at Wurtland.

The detours could remain in place for the next 24 hours, or longer if needed. Motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays along the detour route.

Through traffic between Columbus, Chillicothe, Portsmouth and destinations south of Ashland such as Louisa, Paintsville, and Pikeville, or commercial traffic connecting between US 23 in Ohio and I-64 should consider using US 52 through Ohio or other alternate routes.

The detour route might not be ideal for tractor trailers and large commercial vehicles. Those vehicles are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible.