Lawmakers and billboard industry officials say an untold number of unregulated signs went up after last April's federal court ruling. The Kentucky General Assembly is considering a bill to fix state law.

The report is the first step in a possible new 'regional connector,' but there is no funding set aside for plans to link I-65 in Bullitt County and I-71 in Oldham County.

The I-71 corridor between the Gene Snyder Freeway and Crestwood will be the focus of this year's work on the massive interstate expansion project, a spokesman says.

Connecting I-71 and I-65 through Shelby and Spencer counties would cost between $625 million and $1.2 billion, documents show.

The junction was rebuilt as part of the $2.3 billion Ohio River Bridges Project, but sporadic crashes in the area prompted state officials to make changes. 

Jefferson District Judge Julie Kaelin's order likely will be appealed, forcing a higher court to scrutinize Kentucky’s law on speeding, and it could prompt legislators to make changes to clearly define what actual speed limits are.

There are 17 local interstate widening, highway construction and road rebuilding plans that made the list of high-priority projects for lawmakers to consider funding next year.