Heads up: New ‘RCUT’ intersection headed live Monday on major Lexington road

A key entryway into Lexington from Interstate 75 will get a new traffic light and a newly designed intersection that highway designers hope will reduce traffic crashes and deaths.

A new signalized intersection will go live 5 p.m. Monday at Athens Boonesboro Road and Competition Drive, the entrance to Lexington Sporting Club’s new soccer stadium and youth sports fields.

The intersection is an RCUT, a new type of intersection the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is implementing on various roads across the state. More RCUT intersections will be built on Athens Boonesboro Road in coming years.

Here’s how an RCUT intersection works:

An RCUT has one main intersection and two median intersections that route crossing traffic using right turns and U-turns to enhance traffic flow and reduce the risk of right-angle crashes.

Motorists approaching Doe Run Trail or Competition Drive intersections from Athens Boonesboro Road can continue straight or make a left or right turn.

When approaching RCUT intersections from side streets, drivers begin by making a right turn. After turning right, drivers can continue straight or enter the left turn lane to make a U-turn through the median. After making a U-turn, drivers can complete their desired movement through the intersection.

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