LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton said in a statement released May 1 that she is demanding faster completion of road repairs on High Street and Fontaine Road, which have sustained significant damage from ongoing utility improvements. According to the mayor's office, the work has "been idling on for months," frustrating residents and commuters who regularly travel those routes.

The road damage stems from consecutive utility projects. Kentucky American Water is currently replacing underground water lines, work that followed recent gas line replacements by Columbia Gas and sewer line work by the city's Water Quality Division. Gorton confirmed that Columbia Gas has completed its projects.

"I'm asking them to step on the gas," Gorton said in the release. "The asphalt plants recently opened. The utility needs to finish its work, and we need to get the resurfacing scheduled as soon as possible."

The mayor said she attempted to contact Kentucky American Water to request expedited completion of its work, but reported that her calls went unreturned. Kentucky American Water announced in September 2025 that it was undertaking $4.8 million in water main improvement projects in Lexington, including work on High Street between Rose Street and South Mill Street.

The affected roadway stretches on High Street run between Rose and Mill streets, while Fontaine Road work extends between Chinoe Road and continuing onto Euclid Avenue to the Ashland Avenue intersection. Gorton directed city crews to make temporary improvements to smooth travel on the affected roads. City crews completed temporary work on Fontaine Road on Thursday and shifted focus to High Street this week.

The road conditions have prompted some residents to avoid the area entirely. Kentucky American Water said it expects road restoration, including final paving, to happen once the project is complete in the coming months.