Capital project NRTA-C-0118Construction
Route 17 Corridor Improvement Project
- Current phase
- Construction
- Expected completion
- Fall 2028
- Estimated cost
- $54.8 million
- Jurisdictions
- City of Millbrook, Harlan County, Pine Hollow County
Current phase
- Planning (complete)
- Environmental Review (complete)
- Design (complete)
- Procurement (complete)
- Construction (current phase)
- Completed (not started)
Construction impacts
- Daytime lane closures between Norfolk Street and Cedar Road, September 2026 through May 2027
- Temporary relocation of Ridge Transit Route 17 stops at Elm Street and Cedar Road
- Access to all businesses and driveways will be maintained
Purpose and need
Reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on one of the region's highest-crash arterials, improve bus reliability for Route 17 riders, and replace pavement and drainage that have reached the end of their service life.
Project overview
Harlan Avenue carries more than 31,000 vehicles and 4,200 transit riders on an average weekday. Between 2019 and 2023 the corridor recorded 1,146 reported crashes, including 14 that resulted in a fatality or serious injury. The project implements the preferred alternative identified in the Route 17 Corridor Study, adopted by the Board in October 2025.
What the project includes
- Reconstruction of 6.2 miles of pavement and replacement of aging storm drainage
- Raised medians and consolidated driveways at 11 high-crash locations
- Two new signalized pedestrian crossings and upgraded curb ramps at 64 intersections
- Queue jump lanes and far-side bus stops for Ridge Transit Route 17
- A separated bicycle lane between Norfolk Street and Millbrook Community College
- Adaptive signal control at 23 intersections
Construction schedule
Construction began in March 2026 and is organized into four phases so that two travel lanes remain open in each direction during daytime hours. Phase 2, between Norfolk Street and Cedar Road, is under way. Overnight lane closures are announced at least seven days in advance on the Public Notices page.
Project updates
Phase 2 begins September 21
Daytime lane closures between Norfolk Street and Cedar Road begin September 21. Ridge Transit Route 17 stops at Elm Street and Cedar Road will move temporarily; see the posted notice for locations.
Phase 1 substantially complete
Paving, medians, and curb ramps between Station Avenue and Norfolk Street are complete. Final striping will be applied in October when temperatures allow.
Construction under way
Harlan Valley Constructors, LLC mobilized on March 9. Work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with limited overnight work at signalized intersections.
Public involvement
Upcoming
Construction information line
Questions about lane closures, driveway access, or bus stop moves can be sent to the project team at any time.
Pre-construction open house
Construction phasing and business access plans were presented at Millbrook City Hall. 84 people attended.
Corridor study comment period
Two community workshops and an online survey received 612 responses on the draft preferred alternative.
Timeline and milestones
Corridor study adopted, complete
October 2025
Environmental clearance (Categorical Exclusion), complete
November 2025
Construction contract awarded, complete
December 2025
Phase 1: Station Avenue to Norfolk Street, complete
March–August 2026
Phase 2: Norfolk Street to Cedar Road, in progress
September 2026–May 2027
Phase 3: Cedar Road to Lakeview Drive, upcoming
2027
Phase 4 and project completion, upcoming
Fall 2028
Funding
| Source | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG)Federal | Federal | $21,000,000 |
| Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)Federal | Federal | $8,600,000 |
| State Transportation FundState | State | $11,200,000 |
| Regional Transportation Improvement FundLocal | Local | $14,000,000 |
| Total project cost | $54,800,000 |
Documents
Related plans and studies
- Route 17 Corridor StudyCompleted, Oct 9, 2025
- Regional Safety Action PlanAdopted, Jul 9, 2026