LEE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) A major route in Lee County is closed to traffic while repairs are made.
A stretch of KY 1144 was shut down on Thursday because of a major break in the road that had begun to spread across both lanes, according to H.B. Elkins, Spokesman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, district ten.
"We certainly didn’t plan for this to happen and we understand that it inconveniences some people," Elkins said, "and really we’ve been at the mercy of mother nature because of all the rain we’ve had. We’ve had so many breaks and potholes."
The road is a major route to Lee County High School and several apartment complexes, he said. Vehicles will be detoured through a city road while the closure continues, he said, but school buses have had to take an alternate detour because of their size.
"It’s a pretty heavily traveled route," Elkins said. "We’ve got more than 2100 vehicles a day on it which makes it one of the busiest roads in Lee County."
Workers plan to begin repairs this weekend, he said, with the hope of reopening by next week.
The project will cost about $40,000, he said. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to seek reimbursement for the project through FEMA. Disaster funding was awarded to Lee County earlier this month after rain caused flooding.
