HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Around four months into a massive interstate construction project in Oak Grove, constant backups and regular accidents continue to impact motorists traveling in and out of Christian County. Concrete barriers and lane restrictions have added an extra hurdle for emergency responders.
“Over the last 60 days, we have responded to incidents involving approximately 25 patients along Interstate 24,” said Captain Payton Rogers, PIO with Hopkinsville Fire/EMS. “By comparison, during the same time period last year, the Hopkinsville Fire Department responded to approximately 15 calls for service in this area. So, we have seen a noticeable increase in activity.”
The temporary configuration of the interstate has both directions of traffic sharing the eastbound lanes for several miles separated by concrete barriers. Motorists are alerted of an upcoming merge several miles before the switch, which has created frequent traffic jams.
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Challenges emergency responders face during construction
Due to lane restrictions and narrow shoulders, when an accident occurs emergency responders have a narrow shoulder to travel on. Rogers told Christian County Now that responding in a construction zone is always an “inherent risk,” and makes access to an incident more difficult.
The most recent accident in the construction zone occurred on June 19, and traffic was at a standstill for multiple hours while a patient was treated by EMS and the affected vehicles were removed from the roadway.
“We always encourage motorists to remember: ‘See the lights, move to the right.’ Slowing down and giving first responders plenty of room to reach and operate at the scene helps prevent secondary crashes. It also allows emergency crews to respond more quickly and, most importantly, more safely,” he added.
When the $25 million project began in April, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said work was expected to conclude by mid-August, and traffic will be restored to the intended flow at the end of July.
The construction process by KYTC included completely tearing up the concrete stretch of interstate between the 93- and 88-mile marker and rebuilding the road with asphalt. Over the past few months, the old road was broken up down to the dirt, and crews continue to lay down rock and reform the road.
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