Scott County interchange scheduled to be completed by Dec. 15

The new Interstate 75 interchange in Scott County, just south of the interstate rest area, is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 15.

Construction on the interchange began in March 2015 and was originally scheduled for completion Nov. 1, but utility relocation issues caused delay, said Natasha Lacy, public information Officer for District 7 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The interchange is located just south of the Toyota Manufacturing Plant.

The purpose of the interchange is to alleviate congestion in the area of the Toyota plant, Lacy said in an email. Currently, Cherry Blossom Way, the road the Toyota plant’s main entrance is located on, cannot handle the traffic.

The interchange will feature a roundabout and a wagon box, a tunnel for cars and trucks to travel through.

Joe Kane, director of the Georgetown-Scott County Planning Commission, said the commission recommended on Nov. 11 that a conceptual plan for a zoning change be approved for the area.

The plan, proposed by Whitaker Land Company, Ltd., is for the northwest side of the interchange near Champion Way. Currently, the land is zoned for agricultural and residential use. A zone change would accommodate businesses such as a grocery store, restaurants, professional office space and hotels.

If approved by the Georgetown City Council, Kane said Whitaker Land Company will have to submit a more detailed development plan, which will likely include building footprints and road access.

“There is demand for temporary lodging, hotels,” he said. “Because of Toyota, there’s a lot of temporary workers and people that may come in to consult.”

When the interchange is completed, it will be called Exit 127.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Scott County interchange scheduled to be completed by Dec. 15."