LEXINGTON, Ky. — Motorists should expect overnight lane closures and rolling roadblocks on New Circle Road beginning Monday as contractors complete critical work on a railroad bridge replacement, according to a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7 press release.

Starting at 7 p.m. on June 29, the eastbound inner loop of New Circle Road between Leestown Road and Georgetown Road will experience a single lane closure. The work is necessary to shift traffic from the aging railroad bridge onto a newly constructed bridge deck, allowing crews to complete replacement of the remaining portion of the structure.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will deploy temporary rolling roadblocks to slow or briefly halt traffic while crews move barriers and complete the traffic shift. Motorists are urged to reduce speed and exercise caution when traveling through the work zone and to plan ahead for possible delays.

The closure is part of the larger New Circle Road widening project, a multifaceted effort targeting the inner beltway's section from Leestown Road to near Georgetown Road. When completed in 2027, the project will add capacity and improve operations along New Circle Road and at the Leestown Road interchange, enhancing both safety and travel times in Lexington's rapidly growing eastern corridor.

The broader initiative encompasses reconstruction of two bridges—one over Leestown Road and one over the Norfolk Southern railroad—along with the conversion of the Leestown Road interchange to a double crossover diamond design, a traffic pattern proven to reduce crashes. The project will also include additional lanes on New Circle Road, noise walls, sidewalks, and stormwater improvements.

New Circle Road carries between 40,000 and 60,000 vehicles daily and serves as a critical connection between Interstate 64/75, Blue Grass Airport, and the Bluegrass Parkway. The project is part of Driving Lexington Progress, a $170 million regional transportation improvement initiative.

All work and closures remain subject to change based on weather conditions, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances. For real-time traffic updates, drivers can visit GoKY.ky.gov or DrivingLexingtonProgress.org.