The Nicholasville City Commission is asking the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to consider putting signs on U.S. 27 asking semi-truck drivers to bypass the Ky. 169/3rd Street intersection and opt for the Etter Drive intersection when traveling to businesses on Etter and Stephens drives.
Nicholasville street superintendent Gary Goldey said the turn from Ky. 169 onto Stephens Drive tends to create problems for truckers and other commuters.
“There’s nothing that prohibits trucks from going that route; it’s just now that the trailers are so long, they have a hard time turning onto Stephens Drive from 169,” Goldey said. “Stephens Drive can be better accessed by going to Etter Drive.”
Commissioner Johnny Collier first brought the matter up to the city commission several weeks ago.
“I have had some phone calls — not a whole bunch — but I’ve had some calls with people saying a lot of times the trucks try to turn onto Stephens Drive and sometimes the semi-trucks cross into their lane and they have to stop and wait.”
In addition to motorist inconvenience, Goldey said some minor damage is occurring.
“They’re damaging curbs and the trucks are pulling up on people’s properties, and there used to be an electric pole that sat there for years, and the electric department had to replace it constantly,” Goldey said.
