Abstract

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189) is being conducted by the Kentucky Transportation Center on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. There are two main objectives of the study: 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for a facility located in Logan County in the Barren River Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District# 3. The location of the site is shown in Figure 1. Work on other specific sites as well as the freight commodity flow task is ongoing and is documented elsewhere.

The sites to be evaluated were selected from two existing databases (a truck facility survey from 1994 and the intermodal facility inventory) based on ADD and KYTC Highway District planner recommendations, geographic location, distance to the national highway system, and the number of trucks accessing the site. Consideration was also made for the freight type handled and transportation modes used. This site is located on US 431 in Logan County. The National Highway System route serving the area is US 68 shown in Figure 1.

A phone survey was conducted with the facility truck routing personnel early in the study process. The site was visited on October 26, 1998 for data collection and December 5, 1998 for video recording. The only facility in the area is Logan Aluminum located on US 431 north of Russellville. The approximate location is also shown in Figure 1. The surrounding area is generally rural and agricultural. The phone survey found approximately 200 trucks per day accessing this site (in and out), while HIS data indicates 720 trucks per day travel along US 431. The site trucks are generally flatbed truck 45-48 feet in length. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix B.

A concern mentioned in the phone survey was the absence of a southern bypass around Russellville. The Six Year Highway Plan includes the design for construction of a southern bypass. Also included in the Six Year Highway Plan is a project to widen a section of US 431 from near Logan Aluminum to north of the Russellville Bypass.

Report Date

5-1999

Report Number

KTC-99-44

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1999.44

Share

COinS