I-24 Emergency Route established through Paducah

Recent history has shown that in the event a major accident blocks I-24 in McCracken County, a traffic free-for-all results when travelers and semis left to their own GPS devices pour onto Paducah streets and block intersections designed for local drivers only.

To help keep that from happening in the future, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has installed Emergency Detour Route signs along Interstate 24, and through Paducah.

The alert signage and flashing lights will reroute traffic should incidents cause a major shutdown along I-24 between Exit 3 and Exit 16.  KYTC personnel or local law enforcement will be stationed at key intersections along the detour to aid the flow of traffic.

The detour, designated "Emergency Detour Route A," mainly follows the I-24 Downtown Business Loop/U.S. 60 and U.S 62 through Paducah, a four-lane route that can accommodate semi trucks and traffic volume similar to I-24.

When local drivers see the flashing lights and emergency personnel, they will know to take other routes through the city to avoid the spillover from the interstate.

Up to 40,000 vehicles travel I-24 at Paducah in an average day.