Traffic signals are currently being installed at the intersection of Carter Road and Barron Drive/Middleground Drive West, and they’re expected to be operational in about 2 weeks.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began installation on Tuesday and plans to complete the work on Wednesday. Once the new signals are ready, they will be placed on flash for around 2 weeks to give motorists time to adjust to their presence before they are put into operation.
Due to the presence of overhead high voltage lines at the intersection, traditional steel traffic signal poles were not an option, forcing KYTC to opt for lower clearance mast arm poles, which had to be special ordered.
KYTC personnel have been working with officials from Owensboro for more than 2 years to design a project that would reduce crashes and improve motorist and pedestrian safety at this location, officials said. An average of 16,258 vehicles traverse this intersection each day, according to KYTC.
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was contacted by local residents about the need for traffic signals at the intersection. Local officials agreed, and an engineering study was conducted,” KYTC District 2 Public Information Officer Matt Hughes said previously. “From the results of this study, it was determined that a project to install those signals was needed to improve safety along this corridor.”
