Public input requested on changes to Lexington Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Public comment has opened for two projects being proposed for inclusion in the Lexington Area 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): the High Street Corridor Safety and Mobility Improvements Project, and the Richmond Road Restricted Crossing U-Turn Project.

What is the Metropolitan Transportation Plan?

The 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is a long range plan that communicates the future vision, goals, strategies, projects and programs for transportation in the Central Kentucky Region, with a focus on the planning area of Fayette and Jessamine County.

The MTP is developed through a transportation planning process that facilitates a regional dialogue on transportation needs. It encourages us to examine and learn from our past, understand where we are at present, and determine our best future directions. The planning process is data-driven, performance and goaloriented and seeks meaningful input from stakeholders and the public within the region.

Key purposes of the 2045 MTP and transportation planning process are to:

• establish a regional vision and goals
• project future demand for transportation services
• guide transportation investment, policies and strategies
• prioritize projects and programs
• consider all transportation modes and intermodal connections
• ensure fiscal balance by estimating costs and reasonably available financial sources for capital investments and the operation and maintenance of the transportation system
• develop plans to preserve existing roads and facilities and to make the most efficient use of our existing transportation system
• reflect public and stakeholder input

Federal law requires all urbanized areas with populations greater than 50,000 to designate a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to conduct transportation planning activities (Title 23 United States Code, and 49 U.S.C. 450).

High Street Project

The High Street Project includes the reconstruction of portions of Manchester, High, and Patterson streets to address safety and multimodal accessibility along these streets, and construction of an off-road trail parallel to Oliver Lewis Way. The anticipated project cost is $32.75 million, and MPO staff anticipates sufficient resources being available during the lifetime of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

Richmond Road Project

The Richmond Road Project is being considered at the request of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to commit federal funds. The project will construct a series of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Intersections along Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro Road, from Yorkshire Blvd to the entrance of Brenda Cowan Elementary School. The purpose is to reduce vehicular conflict points, enhance safety and improve traffic flow.  A shared use trail will also be constructed from Yorkshire Boulevard to Hays Boulevard to improve bicycle and pedestrian access. Aphids Way will be re-aligned at Old Richmond Road, and will undergo minor widening as part of the project.

The Richmond Road project proposes to commit $8.34 million in federal funds to the project for right of way acquisition, utility relocation and construction. The project also commits $760,000 in state funds to the project. The anticipated completion date for the project is September 2024.

Public comment now open

Public comment on these amendments will be accepted from July 28 – August 11. The amendments and full MTP and TIP documents are available at the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization website (lexareampo.org). More information about the Richmond Road project can be found at RichmondRoadImprovements.com. The MPO Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) is scheduled to consider approval of the proposed MTP & TIP amendments during its regularly scheduled meeting at 1:30 p.m., August 24, in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Chamber, 200 E. Main St.

The Lexington Area MPO is the federally designated transportation planning agency for Fayette and Jessamine Counties. The MTP identifies regionally significant projects necessary to address anticipated transportation needs through the year 2045. The TIP is a 4-year program of projects identifying phases of work ready for implementation and with a formal commitment of funding. Projects that seek the use of federal transportation funds or are considered by the MPO to be regionally significant are required to be included in both the MTP and TIP prior to implementation.

Questions and comments regarding this amendment may be directed to Christopher Evilia with the Lexington Area MPO at cevilia@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 258-3167. Written comments may be mailed to the MPO at: 

Lexington Area MPO 
101 East Vine Street, Suite 700 
Lexington, KY 40507  

View the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)

View Highlights of the 2045 MTP