LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will begin opening new reduced conflict intersections on U.S. 25 (Richmond Road) and KY 418 (Athens-Boonesboro Road) this week as part of a $13 million safety enhancement project, according to KYTC District 7.

Beginning Friday, Sept. 18, the next phase of construction will require temporary detours and traffic changes at Old Richmond Road and the opening of Aphids Way. Old Richmond Road will temporarily close at 8 p.m. Friday and remain closed until noon on Sept. 20 for roadway connection work between Old Richmond Road and Aphids Way. Motorists can detour using Old Richmond Road to Interstate 75 North and Exit 104 for KY 418 (Athens-Boonesboro Road). Aphids Way is scheduled to open to traffic at noon on Sept. 20.

As construction continues, motorists will begin using new signalized Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) movements at the Ellerslie Park Boulevard and Hays Boulevard intersections. Three of the four U-turn locations will be signalized once fully activated. When Aphids Way opens, left-turn movements into and out of Aphids Way will initially be prohibited while concrete median construction continues. Motorists will use the designated signalized U-turn locations to complete those movements.

A signalized RCUT is a highway intersection design that supports safer traffic movements and higher traffic volumes by featuring one primary intersection paired with two signalized median crossover points. The design enhances safety by allowing motorists to focus on one direction of oncoming traffic at a time and can increase efficiency by reducing the number of traffic lights and stops compared with standard intersections. Additional information and a video demonstrating how to navigate an RCUT are available on KYTC's SAFERoads Solutions webpage.

Construction of Richmond Road improvements from Coys Lane to Brenda Cowan Elementary School is currently anticipated to be completed by early October, with the overall project scheduled for completion by December. Motorists should expect changing traffic patterns, follow posted signage and use extra caution while traveling through the work zone. All work and closures are scheduled tentatively and subject to change depending on weather conditions and other factors.