North KY 139 In Trigg County Has KYTC’s Full Attention

A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet road study, months in the making and returned this past January, has revealed several priorities for KY 139 from US 68/80 to Exit 56, and KY 276 from Wallonia through Trigg County that — when addressed — could cost more than $180 million, while taking more than 15 years to complete.

Instead, District I Civil Engineer Austin Hart has confirmed that — like most major KYTC road projects — smaller realignments are expected over the next two decades, with the highest priority being the widening of 6.9 miles from Cerulean Road all the way to I-24.

The second-highest priority, he added, is the widening of more than 5.6 miles of KY 276 north of Wallonia.

The goal, he said, won’t be to create a three- or four-lane highway, but instead the creation of a “Super 2” configuration — which includes 11- to 12-foot lanes, and 8-to-10-foot shoulders on both sides.

Hart confirmed this construction wouldn’t run through the Cadiz city limits, and that the project is already part of the new six-year road plan that was approved in the 2026-28 biennium budget.

A design phase would begin in 2028, which would allow for a construction window between 2032 and 2036.

Hart confirmed that this study was completed as more of a “corridor and multi-corridor” look at how traffic moves to and from northern Trigg County — and that the goal is for both routes to remain as detours for I-24.

Hart also confirmed the needs on both routes are separate from current and previous I-24 detours, which at times have congested the thoroughfares.

While this part of the study didn’t involve a lot of public engagement, Hart said public meetings would begin in late 2028, or early 2029, if the 2028 design phase starts as planned.

It would be hosted somewhere in Trigg County, with an open invitation to the public and all property owners along the 6.9-mile stretch.

According to minutes from a May 15, 2025, I-24 Detour meeting, and from a reviewed timeline between 2020 and 2024, KY 139 saw 80 crashes, including two fatalities and 12 injury collisions. A majority—59%—were roadway departure crashes, and larger vehicles like semi-trucks and farm equipment were involved in nearly a quarter of incidents. Crash clusters were identified at several locations, including the KY 139/KY 93/KY 276 intersection, Brown Street, and the Jefferson/Hamilton curve.

Along KY 276, 48 crashes were reported during the same period, with no fatalities but 12 injury collisions. Most involved single vehicles, and nearly one-third included oversized vehicles. A series of curves south of Wallonia showed higher crash rates.

Officials also reviewed detour periods caused by closures on Interstate 24, finding crash rates were similar, and only slightly higher, to normal traffic conditions — despite increased detour use.

Also of note for Trigg County’s roads:

+ Hart confirmed the KY 139 and KY 124 intersection, near the former Wilson’s Market property in Cadiz, should finish construction and be open to traffic by the end of May.

+ And a comprehensive I-24 study, running from southern Illinois to the KY/TN state line, should be returned no later than end of summer.