US-31W RCUT Corridor
HARDIN COUNTY, KY
TRANSPORTATION
Palmer Engineering is working on the improvement of US-31W in Hardin County, KY, due to increased congestion and safety concerns stemming from uncontrolled access and growing traffic. The initial project focused on eliminating left turns and implementing RCUT intersections at seven high-crash locations to reduce conflict points and improve traffic flow. The initial project spanned a 3.3-mile section and integrated funding from multiple sources, including HSIP and KYTC, with construction completed in December 2022. Improvements have resulted in a 22% reduction in all crashes and a 40% reduction in fatal and injury crashes. Palmer is currently extending the improvements 8.5 miles covering an additional 10 signalized intersections and 35 unsignalized intersections with RCUT intersections and roundabouts planned.
Unique Aspects
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Opportunities
· Addressing Traffic and Safety Issues: Palmer had the opportunity to design innovative solutions, such as RCUT intersections, to improve safety and reduce congestion in a rapidly developing area.
· Funding Coordination: The project involves managing and coordinating multiple funding sources, including HSIP, KYTC, and local funds, to maximize resources for the design and implementation.
· Implementation of Demonstration Money: The use of a grant for demonstration funds to implement the RCUT intersections allowed Palmer to explore and apply innovative intersection designs that could be modeled for other regions.
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Challenges
· Managing Congestion in a Growing Area: Balancing safety improvements and congestion relief in a corridor with increasing development and traffic posed significant challenges, requiring a comprehensive redesign of access points.
· Integration of Multiple Funding Sources: Coordinating funding from various agencies and ensuring timely use of funds was a complex aspect of the project, requiring precise management and alignment of project goals.
· Community and Stakeholder Involvement: Managing and responding to the needs and concerns of local businesses and residents affected by the changes, especially the implementation of RCUTs and the potential disruptions during construction, was a critical consideration.
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Successes
· Reduction of Conflict Points: The use of RCUT intersections has helped improve safety by eliminating crossing movements, thus significantly reducing crash rates and improving traffic flow.
· Innovative Design: The project demonstrated the effectiveness of RCUT intersections in a real-world setting, providing a model for similar projects in other areas.
· Efficient Coordination of Resources: By leveraging multiple funding sources and coordinating the project between various agencies, Palmer ensured the successful design and implementation of improvements to the US-31W corridor.
Key Team Members
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David Lindeman, PE, PLS
PROJECT MANAGER
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Will Conkin, PE, PTOE
TEAM MEMBER
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Stephen Sewell, PE, PTOE
TEAM MEMBER
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Travis Mullins, PE, CPESC
TEAM MEMBER
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Andrew Brown, PE, PTOE
TEAM MEMBER
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Jeff Cowan, PE
TEAM MEMBER
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Jody Barker, PLS
TEAM MEMBER
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James Fielder
TEAM MEMBER