WQXE News

A revised preferred alternative for the U.S. 150 Improvement Project between KY 49/Loretto Road and just west of KY 245 in Bardstown has been announced.

According to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four, the project is being conducted in partnership with the Federal Highways Administration. The purpose of the project is to alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety.

“There has been a lot of focus on the US 150 corridor over the last decade,” said KYTC District Four Public Information Officer Chris Jessie. “Now, primarily what you’ve seen go to construction at this point has been between Bardstown and Springfield. Of course, a couple of years ago, we wrapped up that project around the parkway interchange, and then now the ongoing project is near the Washington County line into Washington County.”

The next phase of the project is in Bardstown, from My Old Kentucky Home out to about the Bardstown Walmart. 

“There’s a lot of crash history there to support needed improvements, safety improvements, and the corridor is obviously a busy one and really needs to provide a better level of service for all types of vehicles through that area,” Jessie said.

The work will include widening the roadway from two lanes to add a center turn lane, relocating Pottershop Loop to create a roundabout intersection with U.S. 150 and Springhill Drive, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 150 and KY 49.

Updated exhibits and a virtual look at the revised preferred alternative is available on the KYTC District Four website.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith named Bluegrass Middle School student Alyson Marinich a Hardin County Election Ambassador in recognition of her winning the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office’s “I Voted” sticker contest.

“These are folks here in our community and throughout the state who promote elections and encourage people to vote, and I don’t think there’s going to do anything more to encourage local people to vote than to get that one-of-a-kind ‘I Voted’ sticker,” Smith said.

Smith also informed the court and public that his office recently completed scanning and uploading 70 years of county election history. Those documents can be found on the county clerk’s office’s website.

Tim Asher with the Hardin County History Museum discussed the organization’s recent activity. Asher said the museum has adopted a cultural heritage plan which they hope to present to area communities in hopes of spurring “historic tourism.”

“We have lots of individuals who come to the museum,” Asher said. “They will go through it and they go ‘What else is there to do?’ and what we want to do is to give them exciting and interesting things to do where they will change their travel plans and stay one more day in Hardin County, or they will come back and go to see those programs.”

Hardin County Planning and Development Director Adam King said the number of permits filed with his office in 2025 is down from this point in 2024.

“I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t tell you exactly why that is, but I think some of it’s just what we’re experiencing on a daily basis, from market uncertainty going on right now, tariffs, interest rates, you name it,” King said

The court approved a resolution approving the lease agreement for accessibility equipment from Stryker Sales LLC. The agreement was previously approved by the court, but had to be rescinded in order to go through the proper bid process.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet September 23.

The City of Elizabethtown is set to host the final Lawn Party at the Lake concert of the season Wednesday night.

Radiotronic will take to the bandstand at Freeman Lake Park for the September concert. The Louisville-based cover band will feature hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Parking at Freeman Lake will open at 5:30 p.m., with music getting started at 6:30.

“It is a totally free event,” said City of Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles. “We have food vendors onsite so you can get something to eat. We also have alcoholic beverages for sale for those 21 and over.””

All ages are welcome to attend.

“The goal of this series is just to create some free entertainment for our community,” Pyles said. “You know, Wednesdays are kind of a casual night. Get off work, come out during the summer, and enjoy a nice night of music at the lake. It’s just a beautiful venue.”

Seating is festival style and music fans are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Coolers and outside alcohol are not permitted. Find more information on the concert at www.etownevents.com.