May 24, 2012
UPDATE 2/17/12 @ 7:30 a.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- One Pike County road is gaining attention after a number of serious accidents.
It is a section of US 460 commonly known as the “Millard Curve.”
"The problems have not been just recent. They've always existed," said Millard Middle School Principal Robert Kiser.
Millard Middle School sits right next to the curve, where there have been several accidents in recent years, including some fatalities.
"You have no escape route. You've got the cliff, and you've got the guardrail," said Kiser.
The transportation department is now working on plans to improve the curve and make it a little safer.
Friday night there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed plans. The meeting will take place at Millard Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m.
"This has been a site that has had several accidents due to different reasons and we feel it needs to be studied," Chief District Engineer Mary Holbrook said.
Officials are creating proposed plans to soften the curve. They want to move the curve into the mountain to make it less sharp.
"We plan to lessen the curve, reduce the speed, maybe widen the shoulders, widen the road," Holbrook said.
Officials at Millard Middle School say the construction delays are the least of their worries as long as the safety issues are fixed.
"A lot of people don't know the curve very well come through there just a little bit too quick," Kiser said.
"If you're not from the area and you're traveling and you come upon the school zone, and you got a curve sometimes that could cause some confusion," Holbrook said.
Officials say it will take time to acquire the right of way for the proposed plan, but they hope to get things started within the next year.
Lawmakers and the Transportation Department are planning changes.
A $7M project is in the works to remove the sharp curve, but new signs and other improvements will start on Tuesday.
"One of the most dangerous pieces of roadway in eastern Kentucky. There have been dozens and dozens of wrecks in that curve.There have been numerous fatalities," said State Senator Ray Jones.
Last week, a couple from Grundy, Va. died when police say the trailer on a flat bed truck crossed the center line and hit their mini-van.
At least two wrecks involving school buses have happened in the curve.
"With the commercial vehicles and school buses, it's a recipe for disaster," said Jones.
Last year, the state legislature approved $7M to get rid of the curve. It is now in the design phase.
"We are aggressively working towards getting a design," said Mary Westfall-Holbrook, Chief District Engineer for District 12. The Transportation Cabinet is making new signs to put up this week on both sides of the road before the curve.
"Large with more lights and signs warning people of the upcoming curve," said Westfall-Holbrook.
Transportation department officials plan to start construction at the end of the year on the project to remove the sharp curve.
First, officials have to approve the design plans, acquire the right of way from private property owners, and move utilities.
"Ultimately, what we want Secretary Hancock to do is to expedite this project from design phase to construction. The longer we wait, the more likely someone is going to lose their life in the curve," said Jones.
State Senator Ray Jones is planning to meet this month with the state highway engineer to go over the project. He also wants to see rumble strips added and treatment to make the road less slippery in rain.
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