Traffic study to take place next week

A 90-day study of the intersection of U.S. 45-Business (Kentucky Avenue) with 5th Street and 6th Street in Paducah will see a slight shift in configuration next week when the flashing yellow lights on U.S. 45 at 6th Street are changed from flashing yellow to flashing red.

Starting Wednesday, the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and 6th Street will temporarily transition into a four-way stop. The intersection with 5th Street will continue with flashing red lights for 5th Street and flashing yellow lights on Kentucky Avenue.

On July 30, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began a 90 days traffic flow study at these two intersections to determine how they would function without a signal.  KYTC traffic engineers will observe traffic at the intersections from time to time to determine how long vehicles on the side streets have to wait to access U.S. 45-Business.

A preliminary study found reduced traffic flow on the 5th Street and 6th Street legs of the intersections makes it likely the traffic signals can be removed without hampering safety or traffic flow.

At the end of the 90 day study, KYTC District 1 traffic engineers will evaluate findings to determine if the signals at these intersections should be removed.