Bowling Green Expands Multi-Use Pathways for Increased Pedestrian Safety

Bowling Green Expands Multi-Use Pathways for Increased Pedestrian Safety

Bowling Green is making strides in improving pedestrian safety with the ongoing expansion of its multi-use pathways. Recently, city commissioners officially greenlit a project that will introduce a new mile-long stretch along Scottsville Road, extending from Campbell Lane to Three Springs Road.

City Commission Approves Agreement for Pathway Design

In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, city commissioners approved an agreement with Qk4, Inc., a Louisville-based engineering company, for a total of $220,496. This financial commitment will cover survey and design work essential to the pathway project. Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel emphasized the pressing need for improved safety measures along one of the city’s busiest roads.

“We’ve got a lot of safety issues, a lot of pedestrians traversing Scottsville Road,” Meisel noted. The project aims to create an eight-foot wide concrete sidewalk running from Best Buy to White Castle, with plans to implement the design as quickly as possible. Director of Public Works, Andy Souza, reiterated the project’s urgency by stating, “It’s pretty scary if you walk Scottsville Road.”

Collaboration with Local Organizations

The Public Works department has collaborated with various organizations, including BikeWalk BG, the Bowling Green and Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to enhance pedestrian safety. The efforts aim to ensure that the pathway meets necessary standards such as ADA compliance and includes adequate lighting.

Earlier this year, the city accepted a grant of $176,459 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for this project, which required a 20% match from the city. Souza explained that the primary pathway will run parallel to Scottsville Road, plus a spur path that will meander through existing sidewalks around Greenwood Mall and exit onto Cave Mill Road. He assured the commissioners that this project will not affect traffic lanes along Scottsville Road.

Future Plans on Bryant Way Greenway

In addition to the Scottsville Road project, Souza indicated that there are plans to extend the Bryant Way Greenway. This extension will further enhance pedestrian infrastructure by widening crosswalks at the intersection of Bryant and Scottsville Road. “We’re all trying to tie this together,” he said, showcasing the city’s ongoing commitment to comprehensive urban development.

Addressing Stormwater Issues in Whispering Hills

Meanwhile, Bowling Green’s Public Works department is also tackling serious stormwater management issues in the Whispering Hills area. The city recently approved a $459,500 agreement with Commonwealth Engineers Inc. to carry out essential engineering plans and construction inspection services for the replacement of a crucial culvert in the neighborhood.

This project is particularly important, as the Whispering Hills area was placed in a floodplain following mapping by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Seventeen properties are currently within this area, two of which were destroyed during the tornadoes on December 11, 2021. The existing culvert has been acting “more like a dam” during heavy rains, leading to concerns among residents about potential flooding in other areas.

“This design work is intended to address the storm basins and move the water where it needs to go,” Souza explained, assuring residents that the project is centered on long-term safety.

Timeline and Future Steps

While this project remains on the schedule for further development, final approval is expected in April 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in April 2026. The city aims to present the completed project to FEMA in August 2026, with hopes that the existing homes may be removed from the floodplain, and those destroyed can be rebuilt.

“We will also be facilitating citizen input on this project,” Souza confirmed, ensuring community involvement in city planning decisions.

Upcoming Meetings

Additionally, city commissioners will meet for a special work session on Thursday at 6 p.m., held at Mount Zion Baptist Church. The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for September 17.