LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2026) – New reduced conflict intersections will start opening this week on U.S. 25 (Richmond Road)/KY 418 (Athens-Boonesboro Road) in Fayette County as construction continues on a $13 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) project to enhance highway safety along the corridor. The work will require temporary detours and other traffic changes.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 18, the next phase of construction will require a temporary detour of Old Richmond Road, the opening of Aphids Way, and activation of new signalized Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) movements at the Ellerslie Park Boulevard and Hays Boulevard intersections.
Old Richmond Road will temporarily close at 8 p.m. Friday, and remain closed until noon Sunday, Sept. 20 to complete roadway connection work between Old Richmond Road and Aphids Way. Motorists can detour using Old Richmond Road to Interstate 75 North and take Exit 104 for KY 418 (Athens-Boonesboro Road).
Once construction is complete, the new Aphids Way connection is scheduled to open to traffic at noon Sunday, Sept. 20.
As part of the next phase of construction, motorists will begin using the new U-turn locations while work continues on concrete medians along Richmond-Athens Boonesborough Road. Three of the four U-turn locations once activated will be signalized.
When Aphids Way opens, left-turn movements into and out of Aphids Way will initially be prohibited while concrete median construction continues. Motorists will use the designated signalized U-turn locations to complete those movements.
A signalized Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) is a four-lane highway intersection design similar to traditional RCUTs that supports safer traffic movements and higher traffic volumes. It features one primary intersection paired with two signalized median crossover points to provide more efficient traffic flow. A signalized RCUT exists along Richmond Road near the I-75 interchange by the soccer complex.
RCUTs are designed to enhance safety by allowing motorists to focus on one direction of oncoming traffic at a time. The design can also increase efficiency by reducing the number of traffic lights and stops compared with a standard intersection.
When approaching an RCUT on the main road (Richmond and Athens Boonesborough), drivers can continue straight or make a left or right turn. When approaching from a side street, drivers first make a right turn. After turning right, drivers can continue straight or enter the left-turn lane to make a U-turn through the median. After making the U-turn, drivers can complete their desired movement through the intersection.
Construction of the Richmond Road improvements from Coys Lane to Brenda Cowan Elementary School is currently anticipated to be completed by early October. The overall project remains scheduled for completion by December.
Additional information, including a video demonstrating how to navigate an RCUT, can be found on KYTC’s SAFERoads Solutions webpage: Signalized R-Cut | KYTC
Additional information and updates about the Richmond Road Improvement project can be found at the Richmond Road Improvement project website: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Richmond Road Improvements
Motorists should expect changing traffic patterns, follow posted signage and use extra caution while traveling through the work zone.
All work/closures are scheduled on a tentative basis, and subject to change depending on weather conditions, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways.
Keep up with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Navigate traffic with GoKY or via Waze on your smartphone!
District 7 includes: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties.
