Load width restriction at 18mm for both northbound and southbound traffic

PADUCAH, Ky. (August 29, 2023) - A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is adding an 11 ft. load width restriction to an extended work zone along the Purchase Parkway in southeastern Graves County starting today.

The 11 ft. maximum load width restriction on the Purchase Parkway between the 17 mile marker and the 18 mile marker is to allow bridge deck overlay work. This applies to both northbound and southbound traffic. This restriction includes a 45 mile per hour work zone speed limit.

During previous work at this site, use of a shoulder area allowed larger loads to travel through the work zone. However, a traffic shift now requires trucks with loads wider than 11 ft. to take an alternate route. This load width restriction will be in place until September 20, 2023.

Due to the extended closure of all ramps in the Purchase Parkway/KY 339 Wingo Exit 14 interchange, trucks with loads wider than 11 ft. will be required to detour before entering either end of the parkway work zone that runs from Fulton Exit 2 to Mayfield Exit 21.

There is no public access to or from the Purchase Parkway at Exit 14. Portable message boards will alert motorists to the ramp closures.

Motorists should be mindful of increasing construction activity along the Purchase Parkway from the Kentucky-Tennessee state line at Fulton (mile point 0.0) to the end of I-69 at the 21-mile marker near the U.S. 45/KY 80-Bypass at the southwest edge of Mayfield.

There is a 55 mph work zone speed limit with an enhanced police presence in areas where construction crews are present.

The two-year project includes converting the KY 339 Wingo Exit 14 interchange from a mini-cloverleaf originally designed to accommodate a toll booth to a modern modified-diamond interchange with extended ramps designed for high-speed interstate traffic.

The project will eventually include improvements to Exit 1 and Exit 2 at Fulton, bridge deck and barrier wall upgrades, as well as guardrail and drainage work all along the parkway from Fulton to Mayfield. On completion, the project will allow Interstate 69 to be extended along the final 21 miles of the existing parkway to the Kentucky-Tennessee State Line.

Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on this $33.9 million project. The target completion date for all of the upgrades is December 15, 2024.