Reason for Improvements	Benefits for Drivers
Project Description	Timeline of Events

 

Reason for Improvements

 The City of Paducah, McCracken County, and the State of Kentucky are working together to make major improvements along Olivet Church Road (KY 998).  Increased traffic and new developments have created the need for road improvements and access along and near Olivet Church Road.  Discussion of the road improvements started in the late 1990s as the City and County planned Industrial Park West which is located off Olivet Church Road.  The improvements have been made in phases starting with the stretch of Olivet Church Road at the intersection with Cairo Road.  The current phase is from James-Sanders Boulevard to U.S. Highway 60.   

 Benefits for Drivers

With the Kentucky Oaks Mall area receiving visitors from Southern Illinois and from people who live in Kentucky near the Ohio River, this improved roadway will provide easier access to the mall area.  Drivers entering Kentucky from Illinois are urged to exit Interstate-24 at exit 3 and turn right.  Drivers will then turn left on Olivet Church Road and enter the Kentucky Oaks Mall from the back.  This will relieve the traffic in front of the mall and at exit 4.  The road improvements will also open the door for new commercial developments.  The Industrial Park West is already a prime site for several businesses. 

 Project Description

The existing Olivet Church Road near the intersection with U.S. Highway 60 to James-Sanders Boulevard will be widened to three lanes with improved curbs and gutters.  Also, near the intersection of Olivet Church Road and James-Sanders, a new stretch of road will head southeast toward Kentucky Oaks Mall.  This new five lane road will tie into the intersection at Hinkleville Road and the existing New Holt Road.  Click Olivet Church Road Project Map for a map that shows the project outline.

The project calls for the City and County to share the design and engineering costs for the realignment of the roadway, while the State of Kentucky pays the costs for right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and construction.  So far, the State has slated $2 million for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation.  If the cost of right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation exceeds $2 million, the City and County would be responsible for the additional costs.  

 Timeline of Events

•  Present Date:  Property acquisition and utility relocation using the $2 million from the State of Kentucky.
•  February 2008:  Funding from State for project construction delayed until 2010.  Construction had been scheduled for the summer of 2008.  State budget problems have created the delay until 2010.  The construction funding expected in 2010 is $4.68 million.  Click Kentucky Highway Projects for a link the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to see a list of projects for all Kentucky counties.
•  September 2007:  McCracken County Fiscal Court decided to spend $5500 for a traffic study to look at how the new five-lane stretch of road through the mall area would affect traffic at the intersection of U.S. 60 and New Holt Road.  City says the traffic will not be a problem.
• August 2007:  City Commission approved additional $32,500 to redesign the project to lessen the impact on a property owner.  The result benefits the homeowner and the project since less right-of-way would need to be purchased.
•  July 18, 2007:  Public hearing to inform residents about project.
•  December 2006:  Kentucky plans to spend $2 million for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation for Olivet Church Road.
• 2005/2006:  Civic leaders lobby State for $6 million in funding to improve Olivet Church Road from James Sanders Boulevard to U.S. 60 and to build five-lane road from Olivet Church Road through the mall area to the intersection of New Holt Road and U.S. 60.
• 2005:  Completion of five-lane stretch of Olivet Church Road from Cairo Road through a new railroad bridge to near James-Sanders Boulevard.  Olivet Church Road was closed for about six weeks starting in April 2005 to allow the demolition of the old railroad bridge, construction of a new railroad crossing, and the construction of access roads.
• June 2004:  Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of Industrial Park West on Olivet Church Road.  Also, the announcement of the State signing the $2.6 million work order to widen Olivet Church Road from Cairo Road to near James-Sanders Boulevard.
• 2002/2003/2004:  Construction continues on widening of Cairo Road to add turn lane into Industrial Park West and the completion of Commerce Drive which runs through the park from Cairo Road to Olivet Church Road.
• April 2002:  Agreement to purchase last parcel of property needed to construct a turn lane at Industrial Park West on Cairo Road near Olivet Church Road.
• September 2000:  City and County approve building a turning lane off Cairo Road.
• August 2000:  New traffic light activated at intersection of Olivet Church Road and Cairo Road. 

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