Dead Man’s Curve road project starts Monday; construction detours traffic until May 2020
LAWRENCE COUNTY (Wed., Oct. 9, 2019) – KY 2565 in Louisa closes to all traffic on Monday, October 14, and is expected to remain closed until May of next year while the state’s contractor realigns the road to eliminate what locals know as Dead Man’s Curve.
Signs designating the work zone area go up this week. Motorists are advised to observe where the work zone begins and ends so that they will understand how to detour around the area beginning next week.
The project is designed to eliminate the 2565 curve between mile points 3.2 and 3.35, just before the road intersects with KY 3 (Eloise Preece Street, which turns into Pocahontas Drive), improve sight distance, and enhance safety.
Mountain Enterprises holds the low-bid contract at $1,037,727.65, and has 100 working days to complete the project. Roger McPeek, the contractor’s project manager, said the planned timetable is to finish the work around May 15, 2020. The road will be closed throughout the work zone until that time.
Doug Wright, Highway District 12 Section Engineer, whose office oversees and inspects the work, said that local officials and residents encouraged the Transportation Cabinet to eliminate the curve and realign the roadway.
“Crash records, current engineering standards, and common sense all indicate that this intersection will be much safer once these improvements are made,” Wright said. “We have worked on this project design for some time, including utility relocations and right-of-way considerations. We realize the road closure will be a temporary inconvenience, but everyone is on board, and we are anxious for the contractor to get started.”
Oh no!!! That’s been Dead Man’s Curve since I have been born!!!!! I was born n the Old General Hospital n 1955 & I am 63 years old. Gosh I hate change!!!!!
Aww man I wish there was another solution to this like maybe a traffic light that would force motorists to approach the curve at a lower speed. Set up an intersection at the light which would be at the top of the hill that goes down into Eloise/Meadowbrook. Sounds better in my head than I can relay in words, but the bottom line is that if you are coming from town via mayo trail you would stop at the light at the intersection which would direct you to either Eloise/Meadowbrook or continue on mayo trail which takes you to 2565 at its end. Coming the opposite direction going towards town from 2565 or the high bottom area…same scenario. You would stop at the light at the intersection with the option to turn right which goes to Eloise/Meadowbrook or continue towards town. Motorist coming from Eloise/Meadowbrook would stop at light at intersection and go straight towards town or turn left which takes you to 2565 or you can turn down into high bottom. I’m not good at explaining things but I hope you can visualize what I’ve explained. Can’t imagine Louisa without the legendary Dead Mans Curve which is an iconic local landmark. Of course it’s too late now to voice an opinion that would make a difference, but I’d love to see others post their comments here in regards to the situation.
You have a good point my friend. when they destroy our history, whether road, building or anything we’ve lived our life with, its gone forever.
Personally, I’m very happy to hear this. I hate that corner/intersection. I love progress and Louisa needs a lot of it!
Anyone know what’s coming in beside arby’s?
I read that it will be the Pretty Beauty Nail Salon and Chinese Restaurant. Like the one in Grayson.
Nope. DQ/gas station
A Zip Zone and DQ are going in across from Arby’s.
Dairy Queen/gas station
Oh great, another fast food place to get a burger. At least there will be a gas station where one can fill up to drive to a real town to eat at a “sit down and be served” restaurant!!!
It scares me to death to drive through that area. I got in a bad wreck and it totaled my car. Thankfully I didn’t get hurt and the person that hit me didn’t get hurt. It’s hard to see another car coming. This is a really dangerous curve.
Very glad it’s getting redone.
It’s like a landmark in Louisa.
Citizen, it looks identical (in the picture) to ‘Dead Mans Curve’ between Van Lear and Paintsville, that is also a part of the original US 23. The one I know was named that for a very good reason. I wonder how many old 23 had?
I don’t know Charles. That’s interesting I never knew that. 🙂
😘