New Mall Area Interchange Opens Ahead of Schedule

The new double crossover diamond interchange on US-60 in the mall area has opened a bit earlier than expected.

Crews began working on the new interchange in February. Keith Todd with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the original plan was to close US 60 for several weeks during the current phase of the project, but the contractor has figured out a way to keep the interchange open during daytime hours.

Todd says the project still has several weeks to go before it's completely finished though.

"Our double crossover diamond is open. It's not fully functional yet, but it is open and traffic is driving on the new configuration," Todd said. "The traffic signals have been activated because of the crossover. We're probably another couple of weeks away from getting the ramps open to get it fully functional, but at least right now when you drive Highway 60 through the exit 4 interchange you are driving on the double crossover diamond."

Todd says the new interchange will improve traffic flow and reduce crash rates, helping reduce delays by eliminating a phase at each traffic signal and reducing the number of left turns. The new interchange will also help increase traffic capacity along US-60 through the commercial area west of the interchange, and will improve left turn movements from the I-24 ramps.

"It doesn't eliminate left turns, but when you make a left turn you're not crossing in front of oncoming traffic. You eliminate what we call conflict points that create traffic crashes, so it's much safer." Todd said. "Essentially traffic crosses and that eliminates the left hand turns across traffic. It makes for a much safer interchange, and it also eliminates a traffic phase so that traffic can move through there much more efficiently."