Month: June 2026

From Tom Eblen, 3rd District Council member:

The long-anticipated storm sewer construction project along Cramer and North Ashland avenues from Mentelle Park through Hambrick Avenue will be getting under way around July 13. But there is a new twist.

Kentucky American Water Co. (KAW) decided last month to use the opportunity of the streets being torn up to replace century-old water mains and service lines in the affected area. The good news is that it will provide cleaner, safer water pipes and keep the streets from being torn up again in the near future. The bad news is that it will make the entire project take longer.

I attended a virtual construction meeting last week involving KAW, city engineers, and their contractors. A major emphasis of the meeting was the need to get as much work as possible done around Ashland Elementary School before school resumes in August. But the entire project will continue for months after that time.

I have urged both KAW and the city’s Water Quality Division to complete the project as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to the neighborhood. But it is a big project and there will be disruption for many months.

• • • Click here to download KAW’s info sheet on the water pipe replacement project.
    • Click here to download the city storm sewer project’s plans.

After this project is completed, there will be a second phase of storm sewer work to address periodic flooding problems on the lower end of Mentelle Park, nearer to Richmond Road, as well as nearby parts of North Hanover and North Ashland avenues. Details and schedules for that work have not been completed.

If you have questions or concerns, please email me.

As previously shared, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) and the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (LAMPO) have initiated a Winchester Road Corridor Study.

As part of the study, LFUCG is seeking input from the public through an online survey, which will remain open through June 20. The survey includes questions about travel patterns, safety concerns, and desired improvements along the corridor. Responses will be used alongside technical analysis to identify potential solutions, inform priorities, and guide the development of potential improvement strategies. You can participate in the survey online here.

Thanks to our Interim President, Shelby Reynolds, for attending an initial Winchester Road Corridor meeting on Tuesday, June 2  at the Charles Young Center.  He reports that a group of about 15 people attended with various ideas and concerns for this major corridor into downtown Lexington. Suggested improvements included: bike lanes, bus shelters, trees, parks, beautification, roundabouts, medians, traffic control, fewer billboards, and a bridge in front of Frederick Douglas High School since there is no safe crossing to the other side for students.

The Winchester Road Corridor Study is expected to continue through next spring. Additional opportunities for public engagement are planned as the project progresses.