Erosion forces closure of rural Jessamine road | Lexington Herald Leader

The state has closed a rural road near the Kentucky River in southern Jessamine County after last week's heavy rains washed out earth from beneath it.

The southernmost portion of Ky. 1541,known locally as River Road, has been closed about 10 miles south of Nicholasville.

Jessamine County Judge-Executive Neal Cassity said residents alerted him to the damage on Saturday.

"It's not a safe thing to be driving across," Cassity said.

The state Transportation Cabinet is evaluating the two-lane road, but it is not known how long it will be closed with barricades. The road is not heavily traveled, but it does provide access to homes along the river.

Cassity said he anticipates that the state will decide Tuesday how to shore it up.

Brett Ledbetter, who owns riverfront property where the earth was washed out, checked on it Monday afternoon. One section of his land with a large tree moved out about 50 yards into the Kentucky River.

"I guess I own the only island in the Kentucky River," Ledbetter said.