Lexington Moves Forward with Major Traffic Improvement Project

Lexington, August 21, 2025

News Summary

Lexington town officials are set to begin a $2 million traffic improvement project aimed at enhancing a busy intersection. The plans include adding an extra right turn lane and upgrading existing infrastructure to address significant congestion concerns, especially with the influx of visitors due to the nearby Old Mill Pond Trail. Traffic data shows over 27,000 vehicles pass through the intersection daily, prompting local leaders to prioritize these enhancements to support the growing local economy.

Lexington town officials are moving forward with a $2 million traffic improvement project aimed at reducing congestion at a busy intersection that connects U.S. 1/East Main Street, Harmon Street, and Martel Drive. This initiative includes the addition of an extra right turn lane and upgrades to the existing intersection infrastructure, which will directly link to the parking lot for the popular Old Mill Pond Trail.

The improvements follow the opening of the Old Mill Pond Trail, which has drawn more visitors to the area. Local leaders hope that these roadway enhancements will ease traffic congestion, particularly as the surrounding area has seen a rise in local businesses and restaurants. Traffic data from the state Department of Transportation recorded over 27,000 vehicles daily traveling along U.S. 1/East Main Street from Interstate 20 to North Lake Drive in 2024, highlighting the urgency of addressing this persistent issue.

As it approaches downtown Lexington, Main Street narrows from four lanes to two, contributing to increased delays. Congestion at the intersection has become notably worse, as illustrated by recent Google Maps imagery depicting backed-up traffic in 2023. Traffic congestion in Lexington County has been an ongoing concern, fueled by rapid population growth and outdated infrastructure.

Mayor Hazel Livingston emphasized the critical nature of the traffic improvement project, noting it has been in discussion since 2015. Historic flooding in 2015 caused the dam on the pond to fail, which delayed previous plans for improvements to the intersection. Ongoing efforts include paving the gravel parking lot for Hazelwood Brewing, situated near the trail, as part of these upgrades.

During a recent town council work session, officials outlined plans to vote on an updated engineering contract in their next meeting. If approved, the project could take over two years to complete, with construction expected to commence at least a year from now. The drafting of roadway designs is projected to take approximately six months, followed by about a year for right-of-way acquisition. Once these phases are finalized, the construction is anticipated to last around 10 months.

Town Councilman Gavin Smith mentioned the intersection’s growing busyness, attributing it to the increasing appeal of local businesses and attractions in the area. As residents and visitors flock to the Old Mill Pond Trail and nearby eateries, municipal leaders are hopeful that the newly proposed roadway improvements will mitigate some of the traffic-related issues that have been detrimental to local drivers and businesses alike.

Key Features of the Project:

• Project Cost: $2 million
• Location: Intersection of U.S. 1/East Main Street, Harmon Street, and Martel Drive
• Main Improvements: Adding a right turn lane and upgrading existing infrastructure
• Project Duration: Approximately over two years, including 10 months for construction
• Traffic Volume: Over 27,000 vehicles daily

Background of Traffic Issues:

The intersection in question has been a long-standing source of traffic delays due to its location and the narrowing of lanes as it approaches the downtown area. Rapid population growth and the accompanying increase in local businesses have exacerbated this issue, making improvements necessary.

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Additional Resources

• The State
• Wikipedia: Traffic Congestion
• Gulf Coast News Now
• Google Search: Traffic Improvements Lexington
• WLTX
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Traffic Management
• Kentucky.com
• Google News: Lexington Traffic Improvement

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.