Motorists in Hopkins County should be alert to ongoing construction and lane restrictions on Interstate 69, as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet continues two major efforts along the busy corridor.
In Madisonville, a contractor for KYTC is nearing completion of a 4.3-mile improvement project stretching through the city. Weather permitting, the project is expected to wrap up before Labor Day.
The work has already brought upgrades to guardrails and overpass safety features, and resurfacing continues on both northbound and southbound lanes. The southbound fast lane has been completed, while overnight ramp closures are scheduled in the coming week to allow for milling and paving.
The southbound ramps at KY 70 and KY 281 will close on Friday, August 22, followed by the northbound ramps on Sunday, August 24. Paving is set for the following two days—southbound ramps on Monday and northbound ramps on Tuesday.
A reduced 55 mph speed limit remains in place from mile marker 118.15 at the Fowler Road overpass to mile marker 113.81 near the mall. Drivers should remain alert to work crews and changing traffic patterns.
Meanwhile, just south of Madisonville, KYTC engineers are working to identify the cause of ground subsidence that has kept the northbound slow lane closed near Mortons Gap at mile marker 111 since August 15.
The problem emerged after repeated rounds of heavy rain earlier this month. Initial settlement repairs proved insufficient as cracks and shifting continued, prompting KYTC to excavate a section of the embankment and drill core samples as deep as 31 feet.
Investigators suspect old underground coal mining may play a role, but precise records of mine depth and location are unavailable. KYTC is now coordinating with the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands and the Energy and Environment Cabinet to further probe the site.
Drilling will continue until the source is confirmed and a permanent repair plan can be developed. Until then, the 55 mph speed limit remains in effect through the Mortons Gap work zone, and motorists are urged to use caution for their safety and that of workers on site.
