by Tonia Rose, staff writer
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.”
