Richmond Road Improvements

Project Overview

This $13 million KYTC project will build new RCUTs (restricted crossing U-turns) along Richmond Road (U.S. 25) and Athens-Boonesboro Road (KY 418) south of Man O’ War Boulevard in Lexington – a proven design that reduces crashes and enhances traffic flow. Improvements over the next year will include:

  • Safer intersections at Yorkshire and Squires, Ellerslie Park Boulevard and Jacobson Park, Hays Boulevard, Brenda Cowan Elementary, and more
  • Reduced conflict points, and less traffic delay on Richmond Road, Athens-Boonesboro and side roads
  • A new shared use path, new and improved Jacobson Park entrance, and a better U.S. 25 (Old Richmond Road) intersection

Project Updates

May

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing. Phase 2 expected to start early June.

April

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing. Utility relocation ongoing.

March

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing. Utility relocation ongoing.

February

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

January

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

December

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

November

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

October

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

September

  • Phase 1 Construction along the corridor ongoing.

August

  • Construction around Brenda Cowan Elementary school completed and open to traffic.
  • Remaining Phase 1 work along the corridor ongoing.

July

  • Single Lane Closures (Outbound from Lexington): 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as needed.
  • Single Lane Closures (Inbound to Lexington): 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. as needed.
  • Starting Monday, July 14, Aphids Way will be fully closed for construction of its new alignment. This will be ongoing for Phases 1 and 2.
  • Use Old Richmond Road as a detour. Closure will remain in place until further notice.
  • Roadway construction is under way. Utility work is ongoing.
  • Press Release

June

Roadway project is awarded to contractor. Utility relocations are ongoing.

May

Roadway project is let for construction. Utility relocations along the corridor ongoing.

All District 7 press releases can be viewed here: News Archive | KYTC

Construction Phase Information

Construct the outside full depth lanes and shoulders of Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road (US 25 / KY 418).

  • Short term lane closures may occur as needed for the outside lane from 9 AM to 4 PM.
  • Construction of a new section of US 25 along Aphids Way will be completed in Phases 1 & 2. Aphids Way will be closed to traffic during construction and traffic should use Old Richmond Road.
Construction Map
Phase One graphic
Click to enlarge

Construction in the median of Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road (US 25 / KY 418).

  • Construct the median islands for the U-turn crossovers and left turn lanes to provide U-turn access to side roads.
  • Short term lane closures may occur as needed for the outside lane from 9 AM to 4 PM.
  • Construction of a new section of US 25 along Aphids Way will be completed in Phases 1 & 2. Aphids Way will be closed to traffic during construction and traffic should use Old Richmond Road.
Construction Map
Phase two graphic
Click to enlarge

Construction in the median of Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road (US 25 / KY 418).

  • Construct the median islands in the intersection to provide RCUT access to the side roads. Left turns at the intersection shall be restricted and drivers may make U-turns at the crossovers.
  • Traffic from the side streets turning left or going through may turn right and use the newly constructed U-turns.
  • Signals at Ellerslie Park Blvd/ Jacobson Park Entrance will become operational after the medians have been constructed and the RCUT is nearing completion.
Construction Map
Phase three graphic
Click to enlarge
Phase three top-down graphic
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Once left turn and through movements from the side roads are restricted (starting in Phase 3), traffic should follow the RCUT flow of traffic shown on the right. See KYTC’s SAFERoad Solutions page for more information about RCUTs.

Perform final blacktop surfacing for the entire project after widening has been completed.

Final phase top-down graphic
Click to enlarge

Interactive Map

Proposed roadway improvements shown, as well as previously constructed RCUT at Competition Drive near I-75.

Legend

Raised Island
New Shared Use Path
Grass Median
Pavement Removal

Our Guide to RCUTS

Project Timeline

A horizontal project timeline showing major construction milestones from March 30, 2022, through December 1, 2026. Key events include public notice of the project in March 2022; right‑of‑way acquisition beginning in April 2023; construction at the Competition Drive intersection starting in May 2024 and finishing in August 2024; final construction plans completed in April 2025; Phase 1 construction beginning July 2025; the Brenda Cowan Elementary intersection completed in August 2025; Phase 2 construction estimated to begin June 2026; Phase 3 listed as TBD; the Old Jacobson Park entrance to Brenda Cowan Elementary completed in September 2026; and overall construction completion projected for December 1, 2026.
Click to enlarge

Leave Your Questions

If you have any questions or comments about the construction, please fill out the form below. For emergencies, please contact the District 7 office at 859-246-2355.

Additional Resources

Project Video
FAQs
KYTC - SAFERoad Solutions
Guided Tour - Why RCUTS are a Smart Choice