KYTC lays out $1.99 million rural secondary program for Grayson County; roundabout and Short Creek safety options discussed

Beau Warren, branch manager for construction and maintenance with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, told the Grayson County Fiscal Court that the rural secondary program for the upcoming year totals $1,990,790 and is funded from motor-fuels receipts. “It’s funded by 22.2% of the motor fuels tax receipts,” Warren said, explaining how allocations are calculated and noting once money is allocated it cannot be transferred between counties.

The cabinet listed priorities for Grayson County: routine maintenance and traffic control ($716,000); a county judge’s expense line of $3,875; a fuel funds appropriation of $367,170; and several resurfacing and pavement-repair projects. Staff described a resurfacing on “12414 from the Hart County line … for a total distance of 1.194 miles” estimated at $275,780; an asphalt resurfacing on Kentucky 736 for 2.882 miles at $319,583; resurfacing on Kentucky 2778 for about 2.72 miles at $298,454; and pavement repair on Kentucky 878 (at about mile point 0.2) estimated at $10,000.

Court members questioned staff about local projects and the Stone Memorial roundabout on U.S. 62. Brad Bottoms, chief district engineer, said the roundabout at U.S. 62 is funded specifically and could begin as soon as this spring, but that construction timing depends on a master agreement and plant availability for asphalt. Bottoms said the initial construction will be a single-lane roundabout “but we have set it up so we can easily expand it in the future” as traffic demands grow.

Residents and magistrates raised safety concerns at the Short Creek intersection where motorists had reported near-misses. Bottoms and other KYTC staff recommended rumble strips in the approach lanes as the most effective near-term countermeasure and said those could be added to the department’s contract for the year. “The most effective thing we found in other areas like that is what we call rumble strips,” Bottoms said. He cautioned that some residents complain about noise from rumble strips at night, but added they “make people pay attention.”

Several court members asked about LED flashing signs and solar-powered devices. KYTC staff said solar LED signs have been used in other places but are prone to theft and durability problems; those devices are possible in limited cases but not widely recommended for the Short Creek site. Staff also discussed the option of converting the intersection to a four-way stop; they said studies from other states show four-way conversions can reduce severe crashes but acknowledged such a change would be a major adjustment for local drivers.

Court members requested that KYTC staff discuss the rumble-strip option with the county’s traffic engineer and pursue adding the work to the year’s contract. Staff agreed to follow up, and to investigate whether other low-cost measures could be deployed on the Kentucky 79 approach.

Local staff and KYTC also discussed right-of-way impacts for the bypass and roundabout work and said most construction will be off-alignment with limited immediate traffic disruption until new approaches open. Bottoms noted some temporary rerouting and equipment crossings will be necessary during construction.

The presentation closed with staff offering to provide details to magistrates about project timing and to return with more specifics if requested.