Existed: 1998/99 – present West end: US 79 / US 431 | Component
highways: US 431
US 68 Length 10.93 km | |
East end: US 68 / US 68 Bus. / KY 80 / KY 100 in east Russellville | ||
The Russellville Bypass is the four-lane partial beltway around Russellville, located in Logan County in South-central Kentucky. The road is maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since the entire bypass carries a U.S. Highway route.
Contents
Route description
The Russellville Bypass includes portions of US 68 and US 431 around the city. From west to east, US 431 is the first route to get on the bypass, while US 68 joins in due west of downtown Russellville. US 431 departs on the northern side of town, while US 68 is the component for the remainder of the bypass all the way to the east side.
History
The project of building the bypass began sometime in the mid 1990s. It started as a connector between US 68 and US 79 on the west side of town. Over time, it then connected with US 431 north of town, and eventually expanded to its current length by late 1998 or early 1999.
The by-pass also carried a third designation known as US 79 Truck when it was completed. However, that designation was since removed after US 79's northern terminus was relocated to its current terminus at the western end of the bypass. US 79 previously ran all the way to a junction with US 68 Business east of the downtown square just west of the bypass route's eastern end. That was done to not only discontinue any confusion between US 79 and KY 79, but also in preparation for KY 100's rerouting to the eastern end with US 68 on the east side that was completed in 2015.
A proposed southern extension has been placed on the KYTC's agenda. If the project gets started, the target date of completion is set for anytime between 2017 and 2019.
Major intersections
The entire route is in Russellville, Logan County.