KY Transportation Cabinet vs. local community needs

KY Transportation Cabinet vs. local community needs

We sent the following to all KY State Legislators… Honorable Legislators, The following letter to Lexington’s mayor expresses a frustration that many of your constituents may experience. You can help solve this problem that many communities are experiencing. We invite your participation. Grateful. Jackie Green === Mayor Jim Gray, Is Lexington, like Louisville, experiencing a loss of freedom to improve local community due to restrictions imposed by KY Transportation Cabinet? I am working with an adhoc group including UofL, Manual/YPAS High School, Noe Middle School, Jefferson County Public Schools, Old Louisville residents, Metro Councilmembers, etc. who want a slower speed limit in the vicinity of those adjacent schools. KYTC says “No!”. “No!” seems to be a favorite KYTC expression. Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods want 2 way streets. KYTC says “No!”. KYTC says “No!” because of the OH River Bridges Project construction. KYTC says “No!” because of upcoming OMNI Hotel construction. KYTC says “No!” because of upcoming convention center construction. Construction will always be with us. Construction is no reason to delay improving our community. School zone speed limit concerns vs. KYTC concerns are not limited to the schools mentioned. This lack of municipal freedom extends far beyond downtown and the near neighborhoods. Further, I suspect Lexington and others local governments (KY League of Cities ??) are experiencing the same KYTC disregard for local community needs. Louisville Metro Public Works cannot take on KYTC alone. As a result LMPW must adopt KYTC policies/practices. Below is a recent letter from Public Works to Councilwoman Butler in response to our request for a safe speed limit around UofL, duPont Manual High School...
35 mph speed limit in this death trap

35 mph speed limit in this death trap

  Cars and trucks traveling over the 35 mph speed limit and cyclists, both flanked by concrete columns. This death trap is on the south side of the Manual/YPAS High School, Noe Middle School and University of Louisville corridor. On either side of the trap are hundreds of student housing units. Other cities have saner school zone speed limits. We, along with Jefferson County Public Schools, Metro Council Members and Old Louisville residents and businesses asked Louisville Public Works for a lower speed limit. Public Works refused the request. Stay...