Rebuilding KY-22 comes with future expansion plans

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Drivers who've been unable to use Kentucky 22 since it was washed away by heavy rain in April are counting the days until it re-opens.

Large machinery and broken down stones sit along Highway 22 over Goose Creek. Behind the caution tape and road closed signs, the old culvert has been removed. Now contractors are working on clearing the stream bed to build a new structure.

“The concrete structure, the various components for the culvert, are being fabricated offsite and are expected to be delivered mid-July,” said Andrea Clifford with the KY Transportation Cabinet.

The new culvert that will connect both sides of the road will be a series of arches that line up beside each other. Clifford said it will be stronger than before, because they aren't using stones. She says this section of road was built before it was even part of the highway system.

“We don't even have any plans that tell us the age of that structure so we're definitely thinking, well more than 50 years old,” said Clifford.

Nearly three months ago the stone structure was washed away by heavy rain -- and with rebuilding comes new planning.

"The project we're doing now allows for expansion in the future. We have a future project to add turn lanes on 22 there at Springcrest,” said Clifford.

Clifford says the new culvert can be expanded on the sides; however, they aren't adding the turn lanes just yet because the right of way still has to be purchased.

“If we waited until we bought the property needed to build that project, we might not have the roadway open until sometime next year,” said Clifford.

The road is expected to reopen August 10. In the meantime nearby residents say, despite the inconvenience, they do enjoy having less traffic outside their neighborhood.

Many of the old stones are being recycled and given to Metro Parks and the Olmsted Conservancy for future projects.