KENTUCKY — The state's first Texas Turnaround ramp officially opened to traffic Wednesday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced.
The new on-ramp from Covington to Interstate 75 was designed to alleviate traffic and provide an easier way through busy highway interchange areas.
Because of the completion of the ramp, the ramp entering Interstate 75 northbound from Fourth Street in Covington is permanently closed. Instead, drivers will need to head south to Pike Street through a continuous left turn, which will take them to the northbound on-ramp.
The traffic pattern will help drivers have more time to move to their lane on the Brent Spence Bridge. This creates a continuous movement without traffic signals on the new on-ramp, allowing traffic to move smoothly. The hope is that the additional ramp on Interstate 75 alleviates traffic congestion.
"We’re excited to introduce this innovative ramp design to travelers ahead of the holidays,” said Bob Yeager, chief district engineer of KYTC’s District 6 office, in a press release. “Until now, drivers entering I-71/75 northbound from the Fourth Street on-ramp in Covington had to cross multiple lanes of travel on the bridge to continue north onto I-75. The new travel pattern provides more time for that driver to safely change lanes, while also easing congestion and allowing traffic to move more efficiently with fewer holdups.”
KYTC said officials will continue working on the emergency barrier gate of the project, but there should be no impact to traffic. That's expected to be complete by mid-January.