GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) – Progress continues on a vital road safety improvement in Garrard County, as a major construction effort enters its second phase at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Rogers Road in Rocky Top. With $2.6 million in federal funds backing the project, work officially began in March and aims to address years of safety concerns at what many locals have called a “deadly intersection.”

Local leaders are urging drivers to take caution during the ongoing construction.

“I say be very cautious,” said Glendan Barker, the magistrate representing Garrard County’s third district.
“I pray that everybody stays safe...slow down,” Barker added.

The intersection has been the subject of local concern for years due to its high accident rate and visibility issues. These fears were echoed during a community town hall held last November, where around 80 residents crowded into Pete’s Diner to voice their concerns and seek clarity on what changes would be made.

“We’re just trying to get a better understanding of what they’re trying to do,” one resident told LEX 18.

For Jamie Davis, who resides in the nearby River Run neighborhood, the intersection has been a source of anxiety and heartbreak. She emphasized the emotional toll it's taken on the community.

“When someone leaves my house, last thing I tell them is please be careful, it’s a deadly intersection,” Davis said in an interview last July.

Davis, who spoke with LEX 18 again via Zoom on Wednesday, said while she appreciates Magistrate Barker’s ongoing advocacy, she’s disappointed by the lack of community involvement in the planning stages of the project. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet did not attend the town hall meeting, which frustrated many residents looking for transparency.

“There’s nothing you can do but tell people who visit, like you, ‘Be careful, be so careful, it’s a terrible section of the road,’” Davis said.
“It’s just really sad to know that it took all these people to die or to get hurt for the state department to finally decide to do something, but to do it unilaterally without trying to receive any input from the community.”

Since April 1, 2024, the intersection has seen multiple fatal crashes, claiming the lives of three individuals. These tragedies prompted urgency, but residents argue it shouldn’t have taken loss of life for action to begin.

According to Barker, the intersection sees roughly 17,000 vehicles daily, further underscoring the necessity for reform. On Wednesday, work began on the center section of the intersection, temporarily restricting left-hand turns from cross roads. Officials say this is part of a broader effort to prepare drivers for long-term changes.

“I know it’s gonna be a trying time getting used to it, but this will be kind of like an opener for what’s going to be permanent,” Barker explained.

The project, which extends across 3,000 feet of roadway, aims to reduce side-impact collisions, improve visibility, and eliminate blind spots. Workers will continue construction through the summer, with the project expected to wrap up by July 31.

While many in the community feel optimistic about the safety benefits the changes may bring, some remain skeptical and continue to call for greater transparency and community engagement moving forward.

Originally reported by Drew Amman in Lex 18.