By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune Contributor
A new road designed to run parallel to Mall Road will not be very long but it is expected to have a significant impact on traffic flow and safety along the retail corridor.
The road is actually part of Phase III of the Mall Road reconstruction project that also includes relocation of a water main and other improvements. It is estimated to cost $3.55 million.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has agreed to provide up to $3.19 million in reimbursable state funds to the City of Florence for the project.
The remaining funding requirement will be met using approximately $361,863 left over from the original $13 million in Mall Road reconstruction allocations.
Florence Mayor Diane Whalen said the contribution of state funds were essential to the completion of all phases of the Mall Road reconstruction project
“It has been important to us all along and Gov. (Steve) Beshear recognized the economic value and the tax revenue that Mall Road generates not just for the city but for the state.” Whalen said. “We’ve talked about this project probably for 12 or 15 years and it wasn’t until this governor listened and understood the facts and figures that these projects have been able to take off.”
The proposed new road is less than half a mile long, but will connect nearly all of the businesses on the west side of the 1.5-mile Mall Road corridor.
It will begin at the entrance to the shopping centers that houses Phantom Fireworks, Florence Antique Mall and other businesses near U.S. 42.
The road will extend along the front (east) side of those properties, across a culvert where it will link up with Connector Drive.
The culvert has long isolated the southernmost shopping centers from the other businesses on the west side of Mall Road but a bridge included in the road project will now link them.
The project’s impact on traffic flow is expected to be much greater than the road’s length, especially after the Florence Heights project on the east side of Mall Road is completed.
The new road will also provide much-needed access to a nearby existing traffic signal at the intersection of Mall Road and Heights Boulevard.
Currently, motorists leaving the businesses in those centers and headed north must make a dangerous left turn across oncoming traffic and merge into the northbound lanes to access Mall Road.
There have been concerns about traffic safety in the area for some time and the installation of a traffic light to accommodate motorists turning left from the shopping centers was also considered.
It was determined, however, that those properties were too close to the southern terminus of Mall Road and a traffic signal could potentially cause backups into the intersection of U.S. 42.
“This project allows us to alleviate some of the congestion on Mall Road and give safer access to the people who go to these shops,” Whalen said.
Florence Economic Development Director Joshua Wice said the parallel connector road system will also create the potential for redevelopment or new development on the west side of Mall Road.
“The Florence Heights project has created redevelopment interest in the shopping centers, especially in light of infrastructure improvements associated with the Berkshire development,” Wice said.
The $50 million Florence Heights project, on 63 acres of land commonly referred to as the Berkshire Farm, will include anchors Costco, Menards and Dave & Busters, as well as other retailers.
The Florence Heights project is currently under construction on the east side of Mall Road, south of Florence Mall.
The sale of the property from the Berkshire family to Anchor Properties, which was finalized in October 2014, cleared the way for the last major parcel on Mall Road to be developed.
The new development will be located between Mall Road and Interstate 71/75 and will be accessible from both Mall Road and U.S. 42.
There is also funding in place for a new southbound ramp to Interstate 71/75 from Mall Road. Currently, motorists cannot access the southbound interstate directly from Mall Road.
Despite the upgrades, the Florence Heights project is expected to significantly increase traffic along Mall Road.
The new road, when linked to Connector Drive, will provide an alternative to the main thoroughfare for those traveling within the retail corridor, as well as points to the north and west.
Connector Drive terminates a short distance from Cayton Road, near the north end of Mall Road.
Cayton Road intersects with Hopeful Church Road to the west, allowing motorists traveling in that direction alternative access to KY 18 (Burlington Pike) and Houston Road.
The Florence City Council approved the Transportation Cabinet contract and the use of the remaining Mall Road reconstruction funds at its March 10 meeting.
Also included in the project is the repair of a slip off of the west side of Mall Road and the relocation of a City water main and a City sewer main currently impacted by the degradation.
The funds will also cover final project design, grading of the slip area and the acquisition of easements and rights-of-way, as well as road pavement installation.
Ancillary improvements include storm sewers, sidewalks, retaining walls, lighting and signage.
Construction is expected to begin soon and the project is targeted for completion later this year.
Sure would have been nice to know this last summer when we were looking at purchasing a building there.
Long, exasperated sigh ……