Thursday, December 09, 1999
Ky. 9 stretch completed
Wider, safer roadway links Wilder to I-275
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WILDER — A $29 million road reconstruction project that began 15 years ago was officially completed Wednesday when state and local dignitaries cut a ribbon to open a wider, safer Ky. 9 from downtown Wilder to Interstate 275.
Kentucky Transportation Secretary James Codell told the gathering that rebuilding the 1.9-mile stretch of highway “has been one of Kentucky's most challenging and unique projects.”
“What we have now is a modern, safe roadway, and safe is the key word here,” Mr. Codell said. “This had been a very dangerous road.”
State Rep. Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, was singled out by Mr. Codell as one of the people who spearheaded the reconstruction effort. He emphasized that Mr. Callahan had an extra reason for wanting to see the old portion of Ky. 9 rebuilt.
His daughter, Shari Callahan, was severely injured and actually declared clinically dead May 10, 1995, when her car was struck head-on by a drunken driver along the same stretch of Ky. 9. She recovered following a long hospitalization and numerous surgical procedures.
“We hope this reconstruction effort will spare others what the Callahan family went through,” Mr. Codell said.
Ky. 9 from near Moock Road to I-275 had been a dangerous, twisting, two-lane asphalt strip following the Licking River and was the scene of numerous accidents. It was heavily traveled by semi-tractor trailer trucks carrying loads to Carlisle Construction Co. and the metal scrap yards in nearby Newport.
The idea of reconstructing Ky. 9 in Wilder began with designs in 1984. Construction contracts were signed in June 1992 but a major embankment failure in November 1992 led to the contract being terminated in 1993.
After more studies and test borings were completed, an alternative roadway that paralleled the existing Ky. 9 was chosen in 1995 that included “tieback walls” on some slopes to prevent hillside slippage. Tieback walls have anchors into the slopes behind them.
Construction began in September of 1998, and portions of the existing road were closed for several months. Completion was almost a year ahead of schedule.
“We used a partnering concept to complete this project,” Mr. Codell said. “This was a team effort, including local and state officials, the contractors, subcontractors and design consultants.”
Wilder City Administrator Terry Vance said the widened highway won't have much effect on development because the new roadway does not permit new entrances.
“This is really about safety and the safe and efficient movement of traffic and goods through the area,” he said. “It won't make much difference to development on the other side of I-275, where much of our commercial growth has occurred.”
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