LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Planning Commission on Thursday discussed a comprehensive corridor study of Winchester Road that has identified significant safety concerns and opportunities for reinvestment along the 5.8-mile stretch.

The work session featured an update on the Winchester Road Corridor Study, which evaluated existing conditions and gathered extensive community feedback about transportation safety and land use along the major thoroughfare stretching from Midland Avenue and Third Street near downtown to Bahama Road.

Elizabeth Farc, transportation planner with WSP, presented findings from phase one of the study, which revealed substantial concerns about vehicular speeds and pedestrian safety. In the urban corridor near downtown, drivers are traveling at an 85th percentile speed of 43 miles per hour in a zone with a 35 mile-per-hour posted limit. The study documented seven pedestrian and cyclist fatalities over the past five years: four in the downtown-adjacent segment one, two in segment two, and one vehicular fatality in segment three.

The comprehensive engagement effort included survey responses from 669 community members, 548 interactive map pins marking specific location-based concerns, door-to-door visits to 90 businesses, and 10 pop-up engagement events at parks and transit centers. The study also conducted a stakeholder roundtable with 36 representatives from 29 local organizations.

Public input highlighted a need to balance land use and transportation along the corridor, with residents expressing concerns about the auto-oriented character and inadequate facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Strong support emerged for reinvestment, particularly in the segment closest to downtown between Midland and New Circle Road.

The corridor study, which is aligned with Lexington's Vision Zero and Complete Streets goals aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities by 2050, is expected to continue through next spring.

The commission also heard updates on two other major planning initiatives: revisions to the industrial zoning ordinance aimed at simplifying zones and classifying uses by impact, and amendments to downtown zoning regulations designed to align with the downtown master plan and promote efficient use of urban space. The downtown zoning amendments prompted heated discussion among commissioners regarding retail and wholesale definitions, support services, and parking requirements.