Public Notification of Amendment 1 to the MPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) 2050

The Lexington Area MPO is conducting a 15-day public comment period for an amendment to one of our our key planning documents, the MTP 2050. Email your comments between November 20, 2024 and December 4, 2024. Read below for details about this amendment. All comments received will be given to the Transportation Policy Committee for their consideration during the review process.

Amendment 1 to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2050

This MTP amendment adds a construction project to the MTP 2050. The project is located on Waller Avenue (north side only) between Elizabeth Street and S Limestone. This amendment allows for improvements needed to address future increased traffic from the University of Kentucky’s new Cancer Center and planned hospital. Making this amendment to the MTP 2050 is part of the funding process. Projects must be in the MTP 2050 to be able to use state funding. In order to meet federal fiscal constrain requirements, this project will be scheduled during the 2030-2034 timeframe, but actual project implementation will be at the discretion of the Transportation Policy Committee.

Project Goals:

• Improve traffic capacity and ease congestion
• Provide transportation options (this means bike lanes will be included)
• Make room for future increased traffic related to university development projects

Project Details:

• Widen 400 feet of Waller Avenue
• Add bike lanes in both directions
• Add a new lane for cars in each direction
• Expand roadway storm drainage system
• Adjust traffic signal, crosswalks, and walking signals at Waller and S Limestone intersection
• install flush medians with possible narrow curb median near S Limestone

Timing & Funding:

Project will begin after the Elizabeth Street connection is made. The project will also be timed to start closer to the opening of the new Cancer Center (2026/2027). The cost of construction is estimated at $1,000,000. That breaks down to: $750,000 for roadway and storm sewers, and $250,000 for traffic signal adjustments. Funding for the project will be 80% SLX and 20% MAP.

University of Kentucky Coordination:

• UK is widening a portion of Waller Avenue near Elizabeth Street (this amendment will allow for the project that will continue this widening to S Limestone)
• UK will provide the right-of-way and design services