Eastern Parkway from Third Street to Hahn Street remains closed to through traffic.
Despite a tight deadline from the beginning and having to slow work to repair a damaged unmapped water main in October, the project is on schedule and beginning to take shape, according to officials connected to the effort.
Among the most noticeable changes so far are concrete Olmsted columns. The columns are part of architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s original parkway plans and will support ornamental fencing.
The Eastern Parkway bridge also is beginning to take its new shape. Passersby will notice that it is wider to accommodate a bicycle lane and wider sidewalks, has a median and also got a new coat of pavement over the weekend of Nov. 7.
Additional work is taking place on Third Street between Eastern Parkway and the Oval entrance to Belknap Campus. The right lane in that area has been closed and crews are building out the curb on Third to improve safety. Once completed, the shuttle stop on Third will move closer to the Oval, where a cut-out will allow the shuttles to load and unload.
Work on Eastern Parkway is just one phase of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet road work around Belknap Campus.
Phase One of the project was completed in early September. It consisted of rebuilding the exit ramp from I-65 northbound to westbound Eastern Parkway, which actually emptied onto Warnock Street. The ramp was straightened and a signal installed so motorists could make legal left turns onto Warnock.
The project also included adding a turn lane to allow a left turn from Warnock to I-65 north. The state has renumbered the Eastern Parkway and Warnock exits from I-65 will install signs noting the new designations soon.