Improvements to Convention Center access begin Wednesday

The construction project to improve vehicular access and traffic flow to the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center as part of the Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project will begin Wednesday. 

The Riverfront Improvement Project also known as the BUILD Grant project includes a riverboat excursion pier, transportation enhancements, and improvements to the river side of the floodwall between the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center and Broadway.

In the time since the construction commenced in November 2024, the construction work zone has been on the river side of the floodwall in the vacant area behind the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront hotel’s parking area and near the transient boat dock. Work is continuing in that area; however, crews will now begin transportation improvements at the intersection that includes the floodwall opening at Park Avenue and 5th Street.

The work beginning this week includes reconfiguring that intersection to bolster safety and streamline vehicular movement. The work also includes crosswalks, signage, and sidewalks at the improved intersection. Another component is the addition of a multimodal pathway adjacent to the floodwall on the Convention Center side of the project. This will allow pedestrians and cyclists an easier and safer way to travel from the Park Avenue area toward the riverfront.

The intersection project is expected to take six weeks, weather-permitting. During the project, the public will not be able to access the Convention Complex from the entrance at Park Avenue and 5th Street. The public will be able to access the Convention Center through three locations: 1) the floodwall opening at 4th Street next to the Holiday Inn; 2) Campbell Street; and 3) the floodwall opening at Executive Boulevard. Please note that this project will not affect the flow of traffic out of downtown on Park Avenue (U.S. 60-Business).

As a reminder, the Harrison Street floodwall opening is a construction entrance only and closed to the general public. 

The Greenway Trail is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. However, vehicles are not permitted on the Greenway Trail, and due to the construction boundaries, vehicles are not permitted to travel between the Convention Center complex and the transient dock area.