October 2024

DONALDSON HIGHWAY PROJECT:

HERE'S THE SCOOP

You may have noticed recently that big changes are happening on the Donaldson Highway (KY 236) widening project – specifically, that a three-week closure on a portion of Turfway Road (KY 717) began October 21. Rest assured that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and its contractors don’t lightly make the decision to close down a portion of a road. Read on to find out what goes into making a decision like that, as well as what’s coming next for one of Northern Kentucky’s biggest projects. 

First Things First: What is the Donaldson Highway Project?

Northern Kentucky has grown rapidly over the past decade, and new schools, businesses, and residential and commercial developments have been added to the area Donaldson serves. That means increased traffic congestion on the highway. To alleviate that congestion, improve safety and help ensure traffic runs smoothly in the future, an approximately 2-mile section of Donaldson Highway (KY 236) between Houston Road (KY 842) and Mineola Pike (KY 3076) will be widened to five lanes with curb and gutter, including two through-lanes in each direction with a center turn lane. A sidewalk and multiuse path will also be added to provide better access for pedestrians in the project area. 

What's Going On Now: Project Updates

• On Saturday, Oct. 5, there was a traffic switch on Donaldson Highway between Mineola Pike (KY 3076) and Turfway Road (KY 717), shifting traffic to the northern part of the roadway.
• On Friday, Oct. 18, crews finished installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of O’Hara Road (KY 3147) and Donaldson Highway. This traffic signal will improve safety.
• Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, Turfway Road was closed between O’Hara Road and Donaldson Highway. The road is expected to reopen in approximately three weeks.
• Still to come this year, there will be an additional traffic switch from Turfway Road to Houston Road. The contractor believes this will take place in mid/late November. We’ll provide you with updates once the traffic switch date has been approved!

Why Shut Down a Road?

So why did KYTC decide to close down a heavily traveled road like Turfway Road, knowing it will cause detours for drivers? Put simply, the temporary pain will result in long-term gain. This short-term closure makes the active construction zone safer for both drivers and work crews by keeping the two separated. It also eliminates the need for nightly lane closures, saving the time that would be needed for crews close down (and then re-open) the lanes each night. That saves construction time and taxpayer money.

Consider this: the widest section of the Donaldson Highway project is at Turfway and Donaldson, where there are double left and right turn lanes. In some places the road is seven lanes wide. If the contractor utilized nightly closures instead of one full closure, the effort would have required five phases. To do that, the contractor would need to lay temporary pavement as part of the process, in addition to taking the time to set up and take down nightly closures. That work would’ve taken three months. Instead, we’re knocking out this portion of the project in three weeks! That’s just one way a full closure saves time and money. 



The good news is, this important project is progressing on time and on budget, with completion expected in the fall of 2025. We appreciate your patience, and we hope you’ll agree that the end result is worth the hassle. 

What’s Happening with the Mineola Pike (KY 3076) Widening Project?

In other news, you may have noticed Mineola Pike is now substantially complete!

With its proximity to the CVG airport and several major industrial and commercial centers, Mineola Pike serves as a vital route for both local and commercial traffic. The expansion will reduce traffic congestion and supports the region's growing economic activity by providing smoother access to key destinations. Not only does this improve daily commutes, but it also enhances the efficiency of freight transportation, benefiting the broader Northern Kentucky economy. The completed project also represents a major improvement in pedestrian and bicycle connectivity throughout the corridor – as a symbol of our continued commitment to focusing on safety for all road users.

Although the bulk of construction work is complete – contractors are finishing up any small adjustments or corrections that need to be made. Please continue to be aware when traveling through the area and watch for crews performing these final tasks.

Other Project Updates

If you’re looking for information on the KY 536 project, please visit the new website dedicated solely to the projects happening in that corridor.

Meanwhile, this year’s construction season will be wrapping up soon. Please continue to drive safely and be aware of crews as they work to finish out the year.