Traffic Switch on I-71 in Gallatin County Beginning Tuesday

This traffic switch is part of the ongoing widening project in Carroll and Gallatin counties.

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(Gallatin County, Ky.) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of an upcoming traffic switch on Interstate 71 in Gallatin County on Tuesday, September 2. This traffic switch is part of the ongoing widening project in Carroll and Gallatin counties.

Tentative Schedule of Work (Weather Permitting)

Beginning Tuesday, September 2 at 8 p.m., crews will close a single northbound lane of traffic between Exit 55 (KY 1039) and Exit 57 (Sparta Pike – KY 35). By Wednesday, September 3 at 6 a.m., traffic will shift toward the median, and then shift once again back to the existing roadway.

On Wednesday, September 3 at 8 p.m., crews will close a single southbound lane of traffic between Exit 55 (KY 1039) and Exit 57 (Sparta Pike). Crews will move the barrier wall and pave behind the barrier to accommodate an upcoming traffic switch. This lane closure will reopen by 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 4.

On Thursday, September 4 at 8 p.m., crews will close the same southbound lane listed above to complete paving operations prior to the shift. By Friday, September 5 at 6 a.m., traffic will shift toward the median and then shift once again back to the existing roadway.

This traffic switch is expected to remain in place for several weeks. Signage will be placed ahead of the traffic switch to warn motorists of the change in traffic pattern. 

Project Background

A project aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety on a portion of I-71 in Gallatin and Carroll counties began on Monday, March 3.

The project will widen I-71 from its configuration of two lanes in each direction, to three lanes in each direction with a shared median wall.

I-71 is being widened in the following areas:

• Gallatin County: beginning at the Carroll/Gallatin County line (mile point 53.41) extending northeasterly to west of Sparta Pike (KY 35) (mile point 57.36), a distance of 3.95 miles.
• Carroll County: beginning at mile point 52.77 extending northeasterly to the Carroll/Gallatin County line (mile point 53.41), a distance of 0.64 miles.

The shoulder(s) have been paved to temporarily accommodate two lanes of traffic during construction. Most of the work is currently taking place in the median behind barrier wall.

This widening project includes a bridge replacement over KY 47. The current bridges will be replaced with a new, single span bridge matching the median widening throughout the project area.

The speed limit has been reduced throughout the project area to 55 miles-per-hour to keep crews safe as they work to improve the corridor.

Eaton Asphalt Paving Co., Inc. is contractor to perform the nearly $42 million project on behalf of KYTC. Weather permitting, the overall project has an expected completion date of Nov. 1, 2026.

You can find more information on the project here.