Interstate 75 in Kentucky

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Interstate 75

I-75 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by KYTC
Length191.78 mi[1] (308.64 km)
Existed1960s[2]–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-75 at Tennessee state line
Major intersections
North end I-71 / I-75 at Ohio state line
Location
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountiesWhitley, Laurel, Rockcastle, Madison, Fayette, Scott, Grant, Boone, Kenton
Highway system
← KY 74→ KY 76

Interstate 75 (I-75) runs from near Williamsburg to Covington by way of Lexington in the US state of Kentucky. I-75 enters the Cumberland Plateau region from Tennessee, then descends into the Bluegrass region through the Pottsville Escarpment before crossing the Ohio River into Ohio. I-75 follows along the U.S. Route 25 (US 25) corridor for the entire length of Kentucky.

Route description

I-75 (and I-71) heading northbound into Cincinnati from Covington

I-75 runs roughly parallel to US 25 for its entire length in Kentucky. The freeway enters Kentucky south of Williamsburg in the Cumberland Plateau, bypassing Corbin and London before descending into the Bluegrass region near Berea through the Pottsville Escarpment. The highway continues north through Richmond en route to Lexington. It meets and then becomes briefly concurrent with I-64 along the north and east sides of Lexington, before leaving the Lexington area northerly and bypassing Georgetown en route to Cincinnati, Ohio. Just south of Florence, the route enters the Cincinnati metropolitan area and becomes concurrent with I-71. The two routes remain concurrent through to Downtown Cincinnati. On the north side of Florence, I-75 intersects with the only auxiliary route it has in the state, I-275, a beltway bypass of the greater Cincinnati area. It then passes through Covington and crosses the Ohio River via the lower level of the Brent Spence Bridge into Ohio.[3]

History

The stretch through Covington originally included hills and curves steeper than those recommended for Interstate Highway standards. As a result, the northbound descent into Cincinnati, known as Cut-in-the-Hill, was nicknamed "Death Hill".[4][5] It is a steep descent into the valley of the Ohio River between Kyles Lane and the Brent Spence Bridge leading into Downtown Cincinnati.[6] The hill is known for its high number of automobile accidents.[7][8] In 2006, the Cut-in-the-Hill averaged over seven times more accidents when compared to similar roadways in Kentucky.[7]

At the Cut-in-the-Hill, the northbound road takes a sharp left turn into a steep grade down to the Ohio River—about 370 feet (110 m) in four miles (6.4 km).[9] Accidents are usually attributed to a combination of speeding, curvy lanes, poor weather, longer stopping times for trucks traveling downhill, and traffic congestion.[7]

The area earned the sobriquet "Death Hill"[9][10] shortly after I-75 opened in 1962.[9] By 1968, a total of 23 people died in crashes on the hill,[9] so a concrete wall was installed to separate northbound and southbound traffic.[9] The wall helped reduce fatal crashes, but accidents continued, and, in 1977, the hill averaged 583 automobile accidents per year.[9]

In 1986, a tractor-trailer lost control, leading to an accident that caused a Northern Kentucky University student to burn to death in his car.[9] As a result, Governor Martha Layne Collins banned most northbound tractor-trailer traffic from the hill.[9] From 1989 until 1994, $50 million (equivalent to $93.3 million in 2023[11]) in reconstruction was spent to straighten the hill's S-curve and add a fourth lane for southbound traffic,[7] and, in 1995, the truck ban was lifted.[7] Also as part of the reconstruction, ramps were added at Pike Street to give complete access, while an interchange with Jefferson and Euclid avenues was obliterated.[4]

In 2006, the hill and the Brent Spence Bridge saw 151 crashes in the northbound direction and 121 crashes in the southbound direction, totaling 272 in all.[12] To help reduce the number of accidents, a flashing "Steep Grade" sign was installed[12] and a Kentucky State Police trooper was assigned to patrol just the Cut-in-the-Hill.[7] Additionally, eight radar speed signs were installed in 2007 to remind motorists to drive a safer speed.[13]

The Cut-in-the-Hill was originally designed to carry up to 80,000 vehicles per day, but, in 2006, it carried 155,000 daily.[7] Kentucky officials are reportedly working to raise more than $2 billion to replace the section of highway,[7] but, as of 2012, no construction is planned.[7]

Exit list

CountyLocationmi[a]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Whitley​0.0000.000
 I-75 south – Knoxville		Continuation into Tennessee
Williamsburg10.54816.97511
 KY 92 to US 25W – Williamsburg, Pineville
15.45624.87415 US 25W – Williamsburg
Corbin24.67039.70325 US 25W (Cumberland Falls Highway) – Corbin
LaurelNorth Corbin28.85246.43329

 To Cumberland Gap Parkway / US 25 / US 25E – Corbin, Barbourville
London38.18761.45638
 KY 192 (B. W. Ridge Road) to Hal Rogers Parkway – London
40.70865.51341 KY 80 (Hal Rogers Parkway) – London, Somerset, Hazard
East Bernstadt49.13279.07049
 KY 909 to US 25 (Wilderness Road Heritage Highway) – Livingston
RockcastleMount Vernon58.96694.89759
 US 25 (Wilderness Road Heritage Highway) to US 150 – Mt. Vernon, Livingston
62.01399.80062
 US 25 (Richmond Street) to KY 461 – Mt. Vernon, Renfro Valley
MadisonBerea75.516121.53176
 KY 21 (E. Chestnut Street, W. Paint Lick Road) to US 25 – Berea
77.468124.67377
 KY 595 (Walnut Meadow Pike) to KY 956 – Berea
Richmond82.832133.30583
 KY 2872 (Duncannon Lane) to US 25 – Richmond
87.150140.25487 KY 876 (Eastern Bypass) – Richmond, Lancaster
89.833144.57290 US 25 / US 421 (Robert R. Martin Bypass) – Richmond, IrvineSigned as 90B (north) and 90A (south) southbound; northbound exit also connects to businesses on Northgate and Lexington roads (signed as Service Access Road)
94.715152.42995 KY 627 (Boonesborough Road) – Boonesborough, Winchester
97.038156.16897

 US 25 south / US 421 south (Lexington Road) – Richmond, Clays Ferry		South end of US 25 / US 421 overlap
Kentucky River97.541–
97.865		156.977–
157.498		Clays Ferry Bridge
FayetteLexington98.516158.54699

 US 25 north / US 421 north (Old Richmond Road) – Lexington, Clays Ferry		North end of US 25 / US 421 overlap
103.890167.195104 KY 418 (Athens-Boonesborough Road) – Lexington, Athens, Boonesborough
108.247174.207108 KY 1425 (Man o' War Boulevard) – LexingtonKY 1425 not signed
109.677176.508110 US 60 (Winchester Road) – Lexington, Winchester
110.829178.362111
 I-64 east – Winchester, Ashland		South end of I-64 overlap; I-64 exit 81
112.834181.589113 US 27 / US 68 (Broadway) – Lexington, Paris
115.226185.438115
 KY 922 (Newtown Pike) to Bluegrass Parkway – Lexington, Blue Grass Airport
117.665189.363118
 I-64 west – Frankfort, Louisville		North end of I-64 overlap; I-64 exit 75
119.873192.917120
 KY 1973 (Iron Works Pike) to US 25 – Lexington, Georgetown
ScottGeorgetown124.868200.956125 US 460 (Paris Pike) – Georgetown, ParisNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
125.528202.018126 US 62 (Cherry Blossom Way) – Georgetown, Cynthiana
126.764204.007127 KY 3552 (Lexus Way)Opened November 1, 2016;[23] provides access for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
129.199207.926129
 KY 620 (Cherry Blossom Way) to US 25 – Georgetown
Sadieville136.468219.624136
 KY 32 (Porter Road) to US 25 – Sadieville, Cynthiana
GrantCorinth144.443232.458144 KY 330 (Owenton Road) – Corinth, Owenton
Williamstown154.175248.121154
 KY 36 to US 25 – Williamstown, Owenton
155.772250.691156 KY 1560 (Barnes Road) – Williamstown
Dry Ridge158.544255.152159 KY 22 / KY 467 (Broadway Street) – Dry Ridge, Owenton
Crittenden165.901266.992166 KY 491 (Violet Road) – Crittenden
KentonNo major intersections
BooneWalton171.378275.806171
 KY 14 / KY 16 (Mary Grubbs Highway) to US 25 – Walton, Verona
173.532279.273173
 I-71 south – Louisville		South end of I-71 overlap; I-71 exit 77
Union175.392282.266175
 KY 338 (Richwood Drive) to US 25 – Richwood, Union, Walton
178.019286.494178 KY 536 (Mt. Zion Road) – Union, Independence
Florence180.45290.41180 US 127 / US 42 – Florence, Union, Erlanger
180.464290.429180AMall RoadNo northbound exit; access to Florence Mall
181.178291.578181 KY 18 (Burlington Pike) – Florence, Burlington
182.378293.509182 KY 1017 (Turfway Road) / KY 842 – FlorenceSouthbound access via right-in/right-out with Thoroughbred Boulevard
KentonErlanger183.685295.612184 KY 236 (Commonwealth Avenue, Donaldson Highway) – ErlangerSigned as 184B (west) and 184A (east) southbound
184.708297.259185

 I-275 to I-471 north – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport		I-275 exit 84
Fort Mitchell186.274299.779186 KY 371 (Buttermilk Pike) – Fort Mitchell, Crescent Springs
187.675302.034188 US 25 / US 127 / US 42 (Dixie Highway) – Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright
Fort Wright188.585303.498189 KY 1072 (Kyles Lane) – Fort Wright, Park Hills
Covington190Jefferson Avenue, Euclid AvenueExit removed in 1994[4]
190.453306.504191 US 25 / US 127 / US 42 (Pike Street) / Twelfth Street / Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard – Covington
191.132307.597192Fifth Street (KY 8) – Covington, NewportKY 8 not signed
Ohio River191.366–
191.777		307.974–
308.635		Brent Spence Bridge


 I-71 north / I-75 north – Cincinnati		Continuation into Ohio
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Notes

  1. ^ Milepoint route logs reset at county lines. Lengths are determined by adding subsequent county miles.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

References

  1. ^ Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 3: Interstate Routes in Each of the 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  2. ^ Hogan, Doug; Curry, Selena (June 28, 2006). "50th Anniversary of the Interstate System Exhibit on Display at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet" (Press release). Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007.
  3. ^ Department of Planning (May 2018). "State Primary Road System". Frankfort: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Calhoun, Jim (March 20, 1994). "End near for Death Hill?". The Cincinnati Enquirer. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  5. ^ Smith, Steve; et al. (2007). "Around Town". Cincinnati USA City Guide. Cincinnati Magazine. p. 79. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  6. ^ "Travel Restrictions Lifted, But Officials Urge Caution". WLWT. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Saladin, Luke E. (January 6, 2007). "Is Cut-in-the-Hill unsafe?". Cincinnati Post. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  8. ^ "Aggressive Driving Crackdown Starts". Kentucky Post. October 7, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Eigelbach, Kevin (January 31, 2007). "Is I-75 Cut plan making the grade?". Kentucky Post. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  10. ^ Saladin, Luke E. (January 11, 2007). "Why 'Cut' warning might work". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  11. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  12. ^ a b Rutledge, Mike (January 10, 2007). "'Cut-in-hill' wrecks pile up: 272 crashes in '06; warning will flash". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  13. ^ Kettler, Shannon (September 17, 2007). "New Radar Speed Signs On Display On I-75". Kentucky Post. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  14. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Whitley County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  15. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Laurel County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  16. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Rockcastle County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Madison County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  18. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Fayette County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  19. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Scott County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  20. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Grant County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  21. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Kenton County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ^ Division of Planning (n.d.). "Official Milepoint Route Log Extract (Boone County)". Highway Information System. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  23. ^ "I-75 Interchange Project begins in Scott County, state officials announce". The News-Graphic. March 27, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2016.

External links


Interstate 75
Previous state:
Tennessee 		Kentucky Next state:
Ohio
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