Owensboro Outer Loop Feasibility Study Finalized

When an outer loop around Owensboro was proposed in the spring of 2021, it was my understanding that it would be to the Owensboro BYPASS what the Gene Snyder Freeway is to the Watterson Expressway in Louisville. A sort of bypass around the bypass.

THE OWENSBORO OUTER LOOP PROPOSAL

And when it WAS proposed, it was met with a great deal of opposition from members of the Owensboro and Daviess County communities--concerns about what the outer loop would mean with regards to personal property being the chief issue. Midway through last summer, however, the matter was tabled with the promise that a feasibility study about the project would be finalized and published in the fall.

Well, fall is here and so is the final version of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's feasibility study about the Owensboro Outer Loop.

THE OWENSBORO OUTER LOOP FEASIBILITY STUDY FINALIZED

When you take a look at it, some of you will understand every last drop of the information. And because there's a good deal of "shop talk" involved, some won't. But what I did discern was that there were a LOT more factors considered regarding the feasibility of an outer loop than I would've guessed. But that's why the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does that sort of thing and I don't.

Under the heading of "Existing Conditions" alone were such items as the national highway system (those roads under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Administration), speed limits, types of curves and grades, structures, traffic volume, crash data, pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, and environmental impact.

THE OWENSBORO OUTER LOOP TABLED

There's a wide variety of other points in the study, but, at its heart, it's simply (well, maybe not SIMPLY) an explanation as to WHY the outer loop project is not currently feasible. The study also acknowledges the vast amount of input received from the public.

In terms of future projects, only a new interchange with Interstate 165 was considered a possibility.

26 Images That Show How Owensboro Has Changed Over the Years

While driving in parts of Owensboro that have undergone changes, have you ever said to yourself, "I can't remember what it used to look like here"? Well, I'm here to help.

The Owensboro Landmark Hall of Fame

I call this my PERSONAL Owensboro landmark hall of fame because these buildings or locations have meant a great deal to me over the years, for a variety of reasons. To be completely honest, some are on this list NOT because of what they are now. Take a look...

13 Reasons Why You Should NOT Move to Owensboro

You're planning to move to Owensboro? Well, if you hate good barbecue, exciting Friday nights on the river, or close proximity to major cities, you'd better think again.