By News Reporter Gabby Cedano
A major safety improvement project is set to begin Monday, at the intersection of KY 176 and KY 246 also known as Merle Travis Highway in Muhlenberg County.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced that crews will reconstruct the existing “Y”shaped junction into a “T”style intersection designed to improve visibility and reduce crash risks. The project also includes the removal of nearby hills that currently limits drivers line of sight.
Beginning Monday morning, KY 176 will close just east of KY 246 near the 5.75-mile mark so crews can begin the initial phase of work. While this section is closed, drivers will still be able to travel between KY 246 and KY 176 west of the intersection, as well as access Ebenezer Road to the east.
Contractors will first build a short temporary route between KY 176 and Ebenezer Road to keep local traffic moving while construction is underway. Once that diversion is in place, phase one will begin, extending the closure of KY 176 east to the intersection.
During this phase, one lane of Merle Travis Highway will be closed, and temporary traffic signals will be installed to allow alternating one-way traffic through the work zone.
A signed detour will direct drivers south on KY 246 to U.S. 431, then north on U.S. 431 to reconnect with KY 176 in Drakesboro.
When phase one wraps up, phase two will begin with KY 176 west of Merle Travis Highway closing to through traffic. Vehicles will be rerouted onto the new section of KY 176 that connects to Ebenezer Road, and the temporary diversion will be removed.
During this stage, a secondary detour will guide motorists from KY 176 to KY 181, then onto KY 1163 before returning to Merle Travis Highway.
Once the new intersection is fully open, crews will complete final paving work one lane at a time. Flaggers will help direct traffic while paving operations are underway.
The entire reconstruction project is expected to be finished by late July 2026.
