Turn lane removal to improve safety and traffic flow on 12th Street corridor

COVINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises all road users of upcoming intersection improvements being implemented on E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (KY 1120) in Kenton County on Monday, March 16. 

At the request of the cities of Covington and Newport, KYTC considered potential safety and traffic flow improvements near the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. As a result, KYTC has agreed to install traffic control devices to restrict the left turn movement from westbound KY 1120 to Wheeler Avenue in Covington. 

Beginning at 9 a.m., crews will block the KY 1120 westbound left turn lane on the Covington approach to Wheeler Avenue. Once completed, all traffic traveling from Newport to Covington on the Girl Scout Bridge will utilize Prospect Street to E. 11th Street. Once on 11th Street, motorists may use a number of roads to get to their final destination.

Barrels will be positioned in the area of the turn lane closure until delineators can be installed in the coming weeks. As part of the coordination efforts with the City of Covington, law enforcement is aware of the intersection modifications to ensure compliance for all road users.

Eastbound motorists in Covington will still be required to stop on E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. at Wheeler Avenue. This traffic calming measure will ensure safety for all road users, including the pedestrians and bicyclists who use the 12th Street/Girl Scout Bridge.

Following the traffic modification, KYTC engineers will continue to review traffic data and could make adjustments at various traffic signals along the detour route to improve traffic efficiency and safety.

For more information about the KY 8 Licking River Bridge Project, check out the project website here.