June 17, 2009 — Rock Crusher Curve will soon be a problem of the past as the project to straighten the roadway is well underway and expected to be completed by early fall.
The $11,680,284 expansion of U.S. 60 began in 2007, following the alignment of the original roadway and eliminating two curves, said Allen Blair with the Department of Highways District 9.
“The big thing is that we are getting closer to getting it done,” he commented this past week while touring the construction site. “By building the new bridge, the road will be straighter, making the slopes more gradual and a safer alignment.”
The 510-foot bridge is 72 feet above Tygarts Creek, 43 feet wide with four piers and constructed with 3,340 yards of concrete and 419,081 pounds of steel reinforcement.
When finished, the entire 1.761-mile Rock Crusher project will require 20,000 tons of asphalt, 26,500 tons of stone, 2,800 feet of pipe and 17 acres of seeding.
Also included in the work is a 159-foot box culvert over Jarvis Creek that’s 12 feet wide, 11 feet high and constructed with 438 yards of concrete and 95,222 pounds of steel reinforcement, Blair said.
And while the project continues throughout the summer, Blair advises motorists of some upcoming traffic changes. “To get room to build a new section of road we have to move traffic,” he said. “People just need to be aware of the changes and we will make sure it’s all marked really well.”
Blair said Rt. 1025 also was straightened during the alignment of the roadway creating a new connection to U.S. 60. “We took out the “S” that will benefit the residents along that road and most certainly motorists traveling along it.”
All in all, Blair said eliminating Rock Crusher Curve has added several advantages to the Olive Hill area. “We’ve taken out curves, built a new bridge and made the shoulders wider, which will prevent run-off-the-road crashes,” He added. “It’s just going to be safer for everyone and provide huge benefits to motorists and the economy and improve transportation capabilities into Olive Hill. It has been in the planning for many years and the cabinet is really happy to see it coming to a completion.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
photo/Tonia Rose
Rock Crusher Curve project
- Local News
-
-
23 indicted by grand jury
Three Carter County men were indicted Jan. 20 on charges relating to the theft of grave markers for veterans. Derrick K. Hale, 24, Gregory S. Waugh, 23, both of Hitchins, and Justin Martinez, 18, of Olive Hill, were indicted Jan. 20 on four counts of violating graves by intentionally removing United States military veterans grave markers from graves. All four charges are Class D felonies.
-
Kentucky Regional Works Program, preparation for life
“Working for a stronger Kentucky, one job at a time,” is the slogan for the Kentucky Works Program and that is what they are doing in more than 56 counties, including Carter.
-
Alleged sexual predators appear
Two Grayson men appeared for pretrial conferences in Circuit Court Monday. Zachary White, 22, faces a charge of first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sodomy of a victim under age 12.
-
Judge throws out redistricting plan
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Tuesday that Kentucky’s new state legislative redistricting plan is unconstitutional and must be redone or old district boundaries reinstated.
-
Judge steps down in reapportionment suit
A judge on Monday disqualified herself from hearing a lawsuit filed against the Carter County Fiscal Court over the issue of reapportionment. Carter Circuit Judge Rebecca Phillips recused herself from Mignon Colley’s suit against the fiscal court, saying she wanted to avoid the appearance of favoritism to either party in the case.
-
Three charged in CCDC contraband sting
Three people have been charged with promoting contraband at the Carter County Detention Center following a two-week investigation. Nick Adams, 29, Justin Adams, 30, both of Grayson, and Anita Fisher, 35, of Ashland, have been charged with first degree promoting contraband.
-
Stanley performs in Hitchins, covers new ground
Ralph Stanley II doesn’t complain when people talk about his daddy. “Hey, I love him too. I’m as big or a bigger fan of my dad than anybody,” Stanley II said with a smile.
-
Stepping toward stardom
She wants to sing. Mallory Aronholt of Olive Hill has been singing most of her life and last week she recorded her first song.
-
CCDC increases inmate services
The Carter County Detention Center has doubled its space for services such as GED test preparation, drug and alcohol counseling, voluntary religious services, anger management and attorney/client meeting space.
-
Fiscal Court approves refinancing of jail bonds
How to save money was the key discussion subject at a special meeting Tuesday of Carter County Fiscal Court. Judge-Executive Charles Wallace approached the Fiscal Court members with figures he claims will save the county nearly three quarters of a million dollars over 20 years.
- More Local News Headlines
-
23 indicted by grand jury
