Use caution as crews remove barrels now through Friday
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2025) – Contractors will remove traffic control on I-75 in Madison County near Richmond this week to reopen all interstate lanes as crews work to finish $13.5 million in highway improvements ahead of the Oct. 31 contract completion date.
Today, contractors began removing barrels from closed lanes on northbound I-75 along the northern section of the project – mile marker 92 to near 98 at the Clays Ferry bridge. Lane closures on southbound I-75 will be removed afterward.
By Friday, Oct. 17, the interstate is expected to be clear of lane closures throughout the project, from mile marker 86 south of Richmond to mile marker 98 near the Clays Ferry bridge.
The 12-mile interstate rehabilitation project began in March with slide and drainage repairs, then progressed to include repaving all six interstate lanes, safety-focused exit ramp pavement upgrades at the busy Richmond intersections, adding barrier walls at bridges, restriping lanes, replacing pavement markers rumble strips, adding radar traffic detection at interchange signals to improve traffic flow, and other upgrades.
Overall, the work required hundreds of trucks to haul material as crews and contractors repaired earth embankments and drainage ditches, applied 60,000 tons of blacktop, and formed 665 cubic yards of concrete into barrier walls.
“This project required substantial construction to provide safer, smoother travel and extend the life of the interstate so everyone can safely get to work, school, and everywhere they need to go now and well into the future,” said Kelly Baker, chief district engineer for Kentucky Department of Highways District 7. “We appreciate the public’s patience as we’ve worked to complete these important highway upgrades.”
While lane closures are taken down this week, motorists are reminded to continue driving with caution as the area remains an active work zone with reduced speed limits.
Also, final completion work along shoulders, application of thermoplastic arrows and striping, and other finishing touches will continue in the coming days with intermittent lane and ramp closures possible. This work at isolated locations will only impact traffic in short durations.
While traveling through any work zone, we encourage drivers to slow down, stay alert, and keep their distance, as road conditions can change, and to give themselves more time to travel.
All work and/or closures are subject to change depending on weather, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways.
District 7 includes: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties
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