County Commissioners discuss safety on I-24 after series of serious accidents

Commissioners on the McCracken County Fiscal Court took time during Monday's meeting to discuss highway safety after a number of accidents recently.

Commissioner Bill Bartleman asked for the discussion citing recent crashes on the last two Saturdays that claimed lives on the stretch of I-24 in McCracken County. He noted that the members of the court are not experts, but is there "anything we can do to help advocate changes on the short term?" Bartleman added that he had spoken with engineers at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet prior to the meeting. He said they told him that a long-term study was about to begin where the state looks at safety features, speed, design, and possible changes that need to be made along I-24 through Kentucky. Adding a third lane was mentioned as something to be looked at. 

Sheriff Ryan Norman was in attendance at the meeting and spoke to the court. Bartleman asked Norman if there was anything that could be done to step up speed enforcement by increasing patrols. Suggestions included partnering with Paducah Police and Kentucky State Police to have more officers on that stretch of road from the Ohio River Bridge to the county line.

Commissioner Richard Abraham pointed out that long-term changes from KYTC are potentially good, but the more difficult challenge is changing people's behavior. Norman said his department is willing to do whatever it can to help slow drivers down. 

Bartleman offered the commission's help to coordinate an increased presence on the interstate in the short term.