CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Increased congestion on the interstate in Kentucky, specifically Christian County, may lead to a major expansion of the roadway. A Scoping Study of I-24 by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet lays out a $3.5 billion proposal to widen the east and westbound sides of the interstate, expanding it to six lanes.

At the latest Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam said KYTC’s study has provided proof of what they have been predicting, “There needs to be an extended lane, or six lanes through that thoroughfare.”

Two isometric highway scenes stacked vertically: top image shows a divided roadway with a grassy median and trees on the sides, cars and a truck traveling in both directions; bottom image shows a busy multi-lane freeway with a central median, numerous vehicles, and more traffic along both sides.
Current I-24 configuration (top). Future I-24 configuration (bottom). Contributed by KYTC.

KYTC says the purpose of the I-24 Scoping Study is to identify the need for and scope of improvements along I-24 including impacts to adjoining interchanges and roadways. The study area includes 90 miles of I-24 from Exit 3 in McCracken County to the Tennessee state line. According to the study, two Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) districts fall within this study area:

  • KYTC District 1 = McCracken, Marshall, Livingston, Lyon, and Trigg Counties
  • KYTC District 2 = Caldwell and Christian Counties

Traffic in Oak Grove expected to keep increasing, threshold for expansion

Gilliam said traffic near the state line in Oak Grove is the most heavily congested area in Christian County. Around 48,000 cars pass through the interstate in that area every day, plus an additional 5,000-9,500 semi-commercial trucks. The threshold for a six-lane interstate is around 50,000 cars per day.

KYTC’s study dictates that I‑24’s existing four lanes can accommodate today’s traffic, but volumes are steadily increasing. By 2050, daily traffic is expected to reach 43,400–80,200 vehicles which will directly impact Christian County. Between 2022 and 2024, a total of 2,231 crashes were reported on I-24 in Kentucky, including 535 in Christian County.

I-24 Scoping Study map with exits and color-coded Level of Service (LOS C-green, LOS D-yellow, LOS E-orange, LOS F-red) along the I-24 corridor in western Kentucky.
2050 Level of Service (LOS) Map. Contributed by KYTC.

Due to high costs, widening I-24 will have to occur over time in sections. Construction in District 2 through Christian County would cost approximately $944 million to cover 29 miles, with the entire project across both districts coming it at over $3.5 billion. Work could possibly include bridge improvements/replacements as well over the Tennessee and Cumberland River.

“We will continue to advocate for I-24 expansion because we know that it’s certainly going to be needed in a relatively short period of time,” said Gilliam, referring to working with legislators in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.

In conjunction with this study, right across the state line in Clarksville, Tennessee, TDOT is planning an I-24 Widening Project from the state line to Exit 11, currently programmed for 2034. There is currently construction on I-24 in Oak Grove to remove and replace the concrete roadway with asphalt. This is separate from the proposed expansion.

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