The Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is conducting a 15-day public comment period for Amendment 2 to the Lexington Area 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and Amendment 3 to the Lexington Area MPO’s Fiscal Year 2021 – 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
There are two projects being proposed for inclusion: the High Street Corridor Safety and Mobility Improvements Project, and the Richmond Road Restricted Crossing U-Turn Project.
The High Street Project includes the reconstruction of portions of Manchester, High, and Patterson streets to address safety and multimodal accessibility along these streets, and construction of an off-road trail parallel to Oliver Lewis Way. The anticipated project cost is $32.75 million, and MPO staff anticipates sufficient resources being available during the lifetime of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
The Richmond Road Project is being considered at the request of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to commit federal funds. The project will construct a series of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Intersections along Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road, from Yorkshire Blvd to the entrance of Brenda Cowan Elementary School. The purpose is to reduce vehicular conflict points, enhance safety and improve traffic flow. A shared use trail will also be constructed from Yorkshire Boulevard to Hays Boulevard to improve bicycle and pedestrian access. Aphids Way will be re-aligned at Old Richmond Road, and will undergo minor widening as part of the project.
The Richmond Road project proposes to commit $8.34 million in federal funds to the project for right of way acquisition, utility relocation and construction. The project also commits $760,000 in state funds to the project. The anticipated completion date for the project is September 2024.
Public comment on these amendments will be accepted from July 28 – August 11. The amendments and full MTP and TIP documents are available at the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization website (lexareampo.org). More information about the Richmond Road project can be found at RichmondRoadImprovements.com. The MPO Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) is scheduled to consider approval of the proposed MTP & TIP amendments during its regularly scheduled meeting at 1:30 p.m., August 24, in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Chamber, 200 E. Main St.
The Lexington Area MPO is the federally designated transportation planning agency for Fayette and Jessamine Counties. The MTP identifies regionally significant projects necessary to address anticipated transportation needs through the year 2045. The TIP is a 4-year program of projects identifying phases of work ready for implementation and with a formal commitment of funding. Projects that seek the use of federal transportation funds or are considered by the MPO to be regionally significant are required to be included in both the MTP and TIP prior to implementation.
Questions and comments regarding this amendment may be directed to Christopher Evilia with the Lexington Area MPO at cevilia@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 258-3167. Written comments may be mailed to the MPO at:
Lexington Area MPO
101 East Vine Street, Suite 700
Lexington, KY 40507
