Whatever happened to the R-CUTs planned for Richmond Road in Lexington?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Construction on Richmond Road R-CUT project began this week.
- Project aims to reduce crashes and congestion by eliminating left turns off side streets.
- Completion expected by summer 2026 with lane shifts and reduced speed during construction.
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More than three years ago, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced a plan for a new traffic pattern along Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road, one of Lexington’s busiest corridors.
While the traditional approach to alleviating traffic congestion was to simply widen the road and add more lanes, state officials said in 2022 that they were eager to try out a plan that hadn’t been used much in urban parts of the state before.
The traffic pattern, known as restricted crossing U-turns, or R-CUTs, requires motorists to turn right onto the main road from side streets. Those who want to turn left or go straight will instead turn right and make a U-turn.
Officials say creating a series of R-CUTS, known in some places as superstreets, is less costly than widening, improves traffic flow and reduces the number of collisions.
The $13.2 million Richmond Road project will extend from Yorkshire Boulevard and Squires Road to Brenda Cowan Elementary.
The original plan was for construction to begin in March 2023 and be finished by July 2024.
So where does the project stand?
Construction began this week, and motorists can expect road work along Richmond Road, also known as U.S. 25, and Athens-Boonesboro Road, or Ky. 418, for the next year.
Construction is scheduled to be complete by next summer, when the new R-CUT traffic pattern will go into effect, state officials said in an update this week.
On Thursday, the state said it planned to restripe inbound lanes of Richmond Road and Athens Boonesboro, while restriping of outbound lanes was planned for Friday.
That was necessary ”to shift lanes over so crews can work alongside the highway,” the Transportation Cabinet’s news release stated.
“Two travel lanes will be maintained, but lanes will be narrowed to 10.5 feet wide and the speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph,” according to the release. “Temporary alternating single-lane closures will be possible between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. as needed to safely complete the work.”
What will the project involve?
As part of the project, R-CUTS will be installed “at Yorkshire Boulevard and Squires Road, Ellerslie Park Boulevard and a new Jacobson Park entrance, Hays Boulevard and a new U.S. 25 connector at Aphids Way, at Athens Boonesboro Service Road and at Brenda Cowan Elementary School,” the state said.
Competition Drive, the entrance to the soccer complex off Athens-Boonesboro near the Interstate 75 interchange, already has an R-CUT design.
Other changes will also be made as part of the project.
The traffic signal at Old Richmond Road will be removed, and Old Richmond Road will be closed at the intersection with Richmond Road.
Aphids Way will be reconstructed to accommodate the traffic that would have used Old Richmond Road, according to the Transportation Cabinet.
A new Jacobson Park entrance will be built across from Ellerslie Park Boulevard, and a traffic signal will be added at that intersection. The signal at the existing Jacobson Park entrance will be removed.
A shared-use path alongside Richmond Road will allow biking and walking access to Jacobson Park.
Why use R-CUTS?
State officials say they hope the R-CUTS will reduce the number of collisions along Richmond Road while also saving drivers time spent waiting at stoplights.
“The RCUT design, which eliminates left-hand turns from side streets, reduces the number of times vehicles cross paths — or conflict points — at intersections, thereby reducing the likelihood of those severe types of crashes,” the state said in its news release.
“In addition, the layout of an RCUT allows for the traffic signal to be operated with only two signal phases. This means that motorists spend less time stopped and waiting for a green signal, promoting freer traffic flow.”
L-M Asphalt Partners won a $13,228,293 contract for the project.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
