One of Louisville's most dangerous roads is getting major makeover

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The public is getting a chance to provide input on reshaping a section of Broadway to make it safer for vehicles and pedestrians.

For the past six years, the city has been crafting the "Broadway All the Way Project." It's a transportation design aimed at keeping drivers and pedestrians safe.

"They just need to do it quick," said JCTC student Sarah Gonzalez. "Normally, there's a lot of cars, sometimes a little bit crazy drivers."

The redesign includes a 10-mile stretch of Broadway, from Southwestern Parkway to Baxter Avenue -- the county's most dangerous stretch of road.

Several people stopped at a table outside at 2nd Street and Broadway on Thursday to review the proposed improvements, even in the snow and rain.

Broadway is never quiet. It seems to be busy at all hours, everyday.

"Definitely a lot of speeding going on," Tiffany Thornton, a Louisville resident, said.

"I just try to be careful, but sometimes people don't even watch -- if a person is walking or so," Gonzalez said.

The major thoroughfare is used by thousands of people every day to get to work and school.

Map of 'Broadway All the Way' project map — Pictured: a computer-generated map showing the location of a 10-mile stretch of Broadway slated for improvements as part of the city's "Broadway All the Way" project. (WDRB image)

"Broadway is an iconic corridor for the city. So we want to think big, and we want to make sure that this is going to be kind of a generational project. It's a one-time thing for the next several decades," Michael King, the city's urban planner, said.

"We want to make sure we get it right, but we also want to think bold with it," King said.

Proposed designs include plans for bike paths, reconfigured intersections, and narrowed traffic lanes.

"I live out in South Louisville, and there's kind of a bit of different lanes and expansion, and I think it's helped a lot, because it makes people go into one lane, or makes people have to follow the rules. So I think that'll be helpful," Thornton said.

Others want brighter lights and more pedestrian signage.

"There's a lot of students crossing all the time, so they try to be careful," Gonzalez said.

"With JTC renovating and wanting to make it a more safe space for students, it would be nice to see that as well," Thornton said.

City officials said plans will be finalized in the next few years.

Construction is set to start in 2028.

For more information about the project, click here.

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One of Louisville's most dangerous roads is getting major makeover