The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is examining how to improve traffic flow and safety along Highway 127.
One way the cabinet is looking at improving traffic flow and safety is through constructing roundabouts on a four-mile portion of Highway 127 from the Maple Street intersection near Arby’s to the Jamestown Bypass.
The transportation cabinet is examining constructing as many as 12 roundabouts along that stretch of highway. However, n0t all 12 would be constructed at the same time. The cabinet has it broken up into three sections with each section containing 4 roundabout locations.
The northern section would include roundabouts located at Highway 127 and Maple Street, as well as the parkway interchanges and one at the intersection with Voils Road near Five Star.
The middle section would include roundabouts at the intersection of Highway 127 and Progress Drive, the intersection with French Valley Road, the entrance to Russell County High School, and at the intersection with Lakeway Drive.
The southern section includes roundabouts at the intersection with West Drive and Coe Lane, the intersection at Brian Walters Drive, the intersection at Fruit of the Loom Drive, and at the bypass.
The transportation cabinet says roundabouts decrease the likelihood and severity of crashes by reducing vehicle speeds and eliminating right angle and head-on collisions.
Cabinet officials say roundabouts can reduce fatalities by 90 percent and reduce injury accidents by 75 percent, as well as boosting traffic flow by 20 to 30 percent compared to intersections with traffic signals.
Current plans are to begin right of way and utility relocation work on the project in 2027.
