LEXINGTON, Ky. — Chinoe Road between Hart and Fontaine roads will close to through traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Aug. 3 for sanitary sewer work, according to the city of Lexington. The road is expected to reopen by Aug. 7.

Local traffic will be permitted to use the road to reach homes, though the sidewalk on the eastern side will be closed. The city recommends drivers use Hart and Dudley roads to avoid the closure. Motorists should exercise caution in the area, follow detour signage and watch for construction equipment, staff and pedestrians.

The closure will allow Lexington's Division of Water Quality to replace a sanitary sewer lateral line. The work is part of the city's broader infrastructure improvement efforts related to an amended federal consent decree requiring the city to complete sewer system improvements by December 2030.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Kentucky resolved a lawsuit against Lexington in 2011 for violations of the Clean Water Act related to sanitary sewer overflows. The settlement required the city to study, design and implement numerous construction projects to repair and upgrade sewer system infrastructure.

Lexington has completed 75 remedial projects focused on improvements to the sewer system, with improvement projects already implemented abating 85 recurring sanitary sewer overflows. Additional projects continue throughout the city as officials work to meet the extended deadline.