A new traffic signal will be installed soon at the intersection of Carter Road and Barron Drive. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials said with parts now delivered, the project is a top priority.
KYTC District 2 Public Information Officer Matt Hughes said the project originated from community concerns.
“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,” Hughes said. “From the results of this study, it was determined that a project to install those signals was needed to improve safety along this corridor.”
Due to specific utility requirements in the area, Hughes said, the traffic signals had to be specially ordered. Those parts were finally delivered this week.
“We have asked the contractor to make installation a top priority,” Hughes said. “We do not currently have a scheduled completion date for the project, but we hope to begin installation by mid-February.”
Owensboro-Daviess County Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Tom Lovett said the project was not part of a formal transportation plan but gained traction through local advocacy.
“Owensboro has neighborhood alliances, and I actually live in the one where this intersection is located,” Lovett said. “They called me asking about a stoplight at Carter Road and Barron Drive. My first thought was, ‘Well, there’s already a stoplight coming off the overpass, so there’s no way they’re going to put one there.’”
Lovett said he brought the request to KYTC officials, who confirmed that a signal was already planned.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson similarly said the City received numerous requests for a traffic signal at the intersection.
“We had quite a few people ask us about it, and we thought it was kind of logical,” Watson said. “If it’s not going to cost a lot, maybe we can get that done.”
The signal installation is expected to improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection, which serves a high volume of vehicles daily.
