Residents voice concerns over potential changes to KY 53 in Oldham County
Residents in Oldham County are voicing concerns about potential improvements to KY 53 in Oldham County.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the goal is to reduce crashes and improve road safety along KY 53 from KY 22 (Ballardsville Road) to Zhale Smith Road near Interstate 71.
The proposal includes three alternatives. During a recent public meeting at Ballardsville Baptist Church, homeowners learned about the project.
Alternative 1, reviewed by the public in 2024, proposes making the road straighter and runs to Old Hannah Road. This option would potentially relocate around five properties.
Don Chesak says with this proposed alternative, his honeybee farm could be impacted.
"My concern is how am I going to get my bulldozer, my skid steer, my two tractors, all my other farming things from the back side of my farm to the front side of my farm," said Chesak.
Alternatives two and three, shaped by public feedback, introduce more curves to the roadway.
Alternative two may require up to 35 relocations, while alternative three limits relocations to eight.
Public input will be reviewed. Engineers will evaluate the benefits, costs, and impacts, as well as the existing conditions, environmental constraints and community perspectives of the different options.
An will be available for 30 days following the public meeting. The final design phase will take place over the next year following the consideration of the public meeting.