SOUTH SHORE —
Road work along Ky. 7 at Morton Hill, aimed at preventing future landslides in the area, is now under way.
Traffic along Ky. 7 in the area south of downtown South Shore will be reduced to one lane as work continues through late fall. Temporary traffic signals have been installed to control the flow of one-way traffic. Motorists are advised to watch for flaggers and changing traffic patterns during the work day.
In an effort to prevent future rock falls along the road, contractors will cut the unstable hillside back and step it off with rock benches similar to road cuts along the AA highway and other state roads, said Allen Blair, a spokesman for the Highway District 9. In all, three rock benches will be created in the hillside.
The potential for blasting has raised concerns about gas and water lines as well as a nearby water tower. Blair said the state has taken into account the proximity of those utilities during the project’s design, as they are during every highway project. “Precautions have been taken and continue to be taken at every step of the construction process to protect utilities,” he said.
“In addition, blasters will perform preblast surveys and monitor blasts for any damage,” Blair said. “As in all Transportation Cabinet projects, contractors and blasters are responsible for any damages and are required to carry insurance for that reason.
“Blasting will not be used to create the upper bench at the top of the hill,” Blair said. “Rather, contractors will use a trackhoe arm to break the rock down. For the lower two benches, contractors may use blasting on an as-needed basis.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded the $663,987.99 safety enhancement project to ASL Excavating Inc. earlier this summer.
CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.
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