Following wrecks, traffic issues on I-24, Oak Grove council member puts out call for changes

Following numerous traffic accidents, including one that ended in a fatality, an Oak Grove City Council member is formally contacting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet about what can be done to make things safer during ongoing construction on I-24.

A months long project is underway on I-24 near the 89-mile-marker that will completely redo a five-mile stretch of road as crews work to replace the road surface with asphalt, removing the current concrete. East and west bound lanes are sharing the eastbound side of the interstate between the 92 and 88 mile points, leading to very congested traffic and long delays in that area.

Oak Grove City Councilmember Janet Edwards put out a call of a change Monday, saying she has received at least 22 complaints from residents and visitors who have been impacted by the back up. There have been several accident, one of which was fatal, and Edwards says people are understandably concerned for their safety.

Now, she says she’s reached out to KYTC, offering some recommendations from community members on how to improve the situation, including a greater police presence in the area, an increased in warning signs well in advanced of the construction zone, starting detours earlier, and installing a temporary traffic light at Highway 115 and Walter Garrett Lane.

Oak Grove are the only ones being impacted by the construction either, as people like to find ways around the zone, often traveling through Trenton and Pembroke.