Bowling Green Prepares for Nashville Road Widening Project

Bowling Green Prepares for Nashville Road Widening Project

Bowling Green is gearing up for significant changes along Nashville Road. As the city prepares to widen a section of this busy route, residents and commuters will see some utility work starting soon.

What’s Happening on Nashville Road?

The project to widen Nashville Road spans from Campbell Lane to the roundabout near University Boulevard. Currently, early utility work is underway, and utility companies are busy rerouting lines in preparation for the road expansion.

Wes Watt, the public information officer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s District 3 office, updated the community, stating that the project is still in the “right-of-way” phase. This means the necessary land and permits are being gathered before the actual construction begins.

Last Friday, the City of Bowling Green made an announcement on social media. They informed residents that a portion of Newman Way would be closed to facilitate the utility relocation needed for the Nashville Road project. Watt emphasized the importance of timely work, saying, “They (utility companies) don’t want to have to come back to the same area and do something else when they can do it all at once.”

Funding and Timeline

The 2024 Highway Plan from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet outlines the details for this project. Funding of over $4.8 million has been earmarked for the widening project in 2027. The objective is to expand a length of 1.26 miles of Nashville Road from three lanes to four while adding a center turning lane.

Initially, plans included a further detour and realignment of Highland Way, which would have created a four-way stop at the intersection with Emmett Avenue. Residents, however, had concerns about this development, which was supposed to include up to 76 apartment units and a convenience store with gas pumps. This part of the project faced significant opposition from locals and was ultimately dropped in March.

Construction Timeline

While the current utility adjustments are moving forward, Watt indicated that the construction of the widening project itself is still some time away. “Construction is not scheduled (yet),” Watt noted. “Best case scenario, it would be spring of 2026, if not later.”

In addition to these plans, there’s more construction on the horizon for Nashville Road. Another phase of the project looks to widen the road between the Simpson County line and Buchanon Park, which stretches for 4.26 miles.

According to the highway plan, $4.29 million has been allocated for utility work for this section in 2025. Additionally, $14.2 million is expected to be set aside for construction in 2026. However, the timeline for this construction may be extended. Watt explained that the funds designated for 2026 fall outside of the biennium cycle, thus it will not be finalized until the next highway plan review occurs. “It’s likely going to take longer for the construction to start than that, but it is in the highway plan, which is good news,” he said.

What This Means for Residents

As these projects pick up momentum, residents in Bowling Green can expect some changes to traffic patterns and road conditions. While utility work is already in progress, there will be more developments to watch in the coming years.

Staying informed on the updates regarding Nashville Road, including potential construction and impacts on travel, will be essential for all who use this important route. The efforts to widen Nashville Road are aimed at improving traffic flow and accessibility, making it a more reliable roadway for everyone.