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Interstate 75 in Kentucky

{{Short description|Interstate Highway in Kentucky, United States}}

{{highway detail hatnote|Interstate 75}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox road

| state = KY

| type = I

| route = 75

| map = {{MapframeForObjects|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=250|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate 75 in Kentucky}}}}

| map_custom = yes

| map_notes = I-75 highlighted in red

| length_mi = 191.78

| length_ref = {{cite web |first = Edward |last = Starks |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table03.cfm |title = Table 3: Interstate Routes in Each of the 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico |work = FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = January 27, 2022 |access-date = June 26, 2022 |archive-date = July 11, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180711030748/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table03.cfm |url-status = live }}

| established = 1960s{{cite press release |first1 = Doug |last1 = Hogan |first2 = Selena |last2 = Curry |date = June 28, 2006 |url = http://kytcnewsroom.ky.gov/News/6-28-06.htm |title = 50th Anniversary of the Interstate System Exhibit on Display at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |publisher = Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070126095730/http://kytcnewsroom.ky.gov/News/6-28-06.htm |archive-date = January 26, 2007 }}

| direction_a = South

| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=TN|I|75}} at Tennessee state line near Williamsburg

| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=OH|I|71|I|75}} at Ohio state line in Covington

| junction = *{{Jct|state=KY|US|25|US|421}} in Richmond

  • {{Jct|state=KY|US|60}} in Lexington
  • {{Jct|state=KY|I|64}} in Lexington
  • {{Jct|state=KY|US|27|US|68}} in Lexington
  • {{Jct|state=KY|US|460}} in Georgetown
  • {{Jct|state=KY|US|62}} in Georgetown
  • {{Jct|state=KY|I|71}} in Walton
  • {{Jct|state=KY|US|42|US|127}} in Florence
  • {{Jct|state=KY|I|275}} in Erlanger

| direction_b = North

| counties = Whitley, Laurel, Rockcastle, Madison, Fayette, Scott, Grant, Boone, Kenton

| previous_type = KY

| previous_route = 74

| next_type = KY

| next_route = 76

}}

Interstate 75 (I-75) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs {{Convert|1786.47|mi|km}} from Miami Lakes, Florida to the Canada–United States border at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In the U.S. state of Kentucky, I-75 runs through the eastern half of the state, from the Tennessee state line near the city of Williamsburg to the Ohio state line near Covington. The Interstate serves the state's second-most populous city, Lexington. Outside of it, the route is mostly rural or suburban in nature, mainly providing access to other cities via state and U.S. Highways. The major landscapes traversed by I-75 include the rolling hills and mountains of the Cumberland Plateau, the flat Bluegrass region, the urban core of Lexington, and the highly urbanized suburbs of Northern Kentucky; it also very briefly crosses through the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield at its southernmost stretch and passes near the Daniel Boone National Forest in London.

Of the six states which I-75 passes through, the segment in Kentucky is the second-shortest, at {{Convert|191.78|mi|km}} long. I-75 parallels the older U.S. Route 25 (US 25) and U.S. Route 25E (US 25E) corridors for its entire length in Kentucky. The Interstate was part of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, with a section of it from the Ohio River at Covington to an unknown location north of Richmond being the first segment of the Interstate Highway, opened in 1957. Unfinished portions of the highway were eventually completed in increments, with the very last section being opened in 1969. Due to the rapid growth and high traffic volume in the Lexington metropolitan area and Northern Kentucky, many widening projects and renovations have been undertaken on I-75 since then. The Interstate has one auxiliary route, I-275, a beltway encircling Cincinnati.

Route description

As with all other Interstate, US, and state highways in Kentucky, I-75 is maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for its entire length. Annual average daily traffic counts in 2022 ranged from a peak of 196,929 vehicles per day concurrent with I-71 at the I-275 interchange in Erlanger to a low of 33,001 vehicles per day from Williamsburg to the Tennessee state line.{{Cite web |title=Traffic Counts |url=https://maps.kytc.ky.gov/trafficcounts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512155204/https://maps.kytc.ky.gov/trafficcounts/ |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=maps.kytc.ky.gov}} The route is designated as the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail for its entire length.{{Cite news |last=Hopkins |first=Shawntaye |date=July 17, 2010 |title=I-75 in Kentucky is named Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail |url=https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article44040513.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=Lexington Herald Leader |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203330/https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article44040513.html |url-status=live }}

= Cumberland Plateau, Pottsville Escarpment, and Lexington suburbs =

I-75 enters Whitley County, Kentucky from Tennessee near the city of Williamsburg. Skirting the foothills of the Cumberland Plateau, the Interstate briefly parallels Clear Fork and crosses it before reaching the welcome center.{{Cite web |last=World |first=Daily |title=I-75 over CLEAR FORK RIVER Whitley County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.dailyworld.com/bridge/kentucky/whitley/i-75-over-clear-fork-river/21-118B00058R/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Daily World |language=en |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203159/https://data.dailyworld.com/bridge/kentucky/whitley/i-75-over-clear-fork-river/21-118B00058R/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |date=June 2019 |title=Rest Areas and Welcome Centers |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/MultimodalFreight/Documents/Rest%20Areas%20and%20Welcome%20Centers.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305104255/https://transportation.ky.gov/MultimodalFreight/Documents/Rest%20Areas%20and%20Welcome%20Centers.pdf |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=transportation.ky.gov}} Curving left, I-75 crosses Clear Fork again near Saxton and begins paralleling US 25W. {{Convert|8|mi|km}} later, I-75 reaches its first interchange in the state with KY 92 for downtown Williamsburg.{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |date=December 2021 |title=KY92 final proof |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/KY%2092%20Programming%20Study.pdf |website=transportation.ky.gov |access-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/KY%2092%20Programming%20Study.pdf |url-status=live }} I-75 then meanders through more mountainous terrain and passes by a water plant before straightening out and crossing the Cumberland River.{{Cite web |last=Herald-Journal |title=I-75 over CUMBERLAND R.--CROLEY R Whitley County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.goupstate.com/bridge/kentucky/whitley/i-75-over-cumberland-r-croley-r/21-118B00045R/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Herald-Journal |language=en |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203201/https://data.goupstate.com/bridge/kentucky/whitley/i-75-over-cumberland-r-croley-r/21-118B00045R/ |url-status=live }} The Interstate then directly intersects with US 25W containing a roundabout at the interchange.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=Work nearing completion on I-75's Exit 15 |url=https://www.thetimestribune.com/news/local_news/work-nearing-completion-on-i-75s-exit-15/article_5c80de2a-1769-11ed-8185-ef7558343fe6.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The Times-Tribune.com |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230104/https://www.thetimestribune.com/news/local_news/work-nearing-completion-on-i-75s-exit-15/article_5c80de2a-1769-11ed-8185-ef7558343fe6.html |url-status=live }} It continues on for {{Convert|10|mi|km}} and reaches the city of Corbin where it once again meets US 25W (Cumberland Falls Highway) providing access to the Corbin campus of Eastern Kentucky University. I-75 bypasses Corbin to the west and heads slightly to the east through forests to cross the Laurel River, a branch of the Laurel River Lake, and enters Laurel County.{{Cite web |last=Sentinel |first=Knoxville News |title=I-75 over Laurel River Laurel County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.knoxnews.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-laurel-river/21-063B00125N/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://data.knoxnews.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-laurel-river/21-063B00125N/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite map|last=United States Geological Survey|title=Corbin, KY|publisher=United States Geological Survey|author-link=United States Geological Survey|type=Topographic map|year=2022|place=Reston, Virginia|scale=1:24,000|series=7.5 Minute Series|url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=fd794b4c1ba02a6958b647562b9ed779|access-date=July 29, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203204/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=fd794b4c1ba02a6958b647562b9ed779|url-status=live}} From here, it reaches an interchange for access to US 25 for the first time and US 25E near Corbin. North of the interchange, the Interstate crosses the Laurel River once more. Beyond this, I-75 continues for about {{Convert|1|mile|km|sp=us}} or so before crossing over the Little Laurel River, a tributary of the Laurel River and reaching a truck weigh station.{{Cite web |last=Sun |first=The Gainesville |title=I-75 over Little Laurel River Laurel County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.gainesville.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-little-laurel-river/21-063B00111L/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The Gainesville Sun |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729231508/https://data.gainesville.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-little-laurel-river/21-063B00111L/ |url-status=live }} Another {{Convert|4|mi|km}} pass by before I-75 reaches London and intersects with KY 192. From here, I-75 avoids London to the west and briefly after that, intersects KY 80 (which carries a part of the Hal Rogers Parkway). Just after this interchange, I-75 closely parallels US 25 from East Bernstadt. The Interstate makes a sharp turn to the west and nears the Daniel Boone National Forest. Near the Wood Creek Lake reservoir, I-75 approaches Livingston and provides indirect access to US 25 via KY 909.{{Google maps|access-date=July 29, 2024|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/36.5913328,-84.1047032/39.0922157,-84.5225809/@37.7905536,-85.8888767,437572m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu|title=Overview map of I-75 in Kentucky}}

File:Kentucky River at I-75 Aerial (52882363261).jpg

Continuing northwest, I-75 crosses the Rockcastle River, entering Rockcastle County.{{Cite web |last=Herald-Journal |title=I-75 over OVER ROCKCASTLE RIVER Laurel County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.goupstate.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-over-rockcastle-river/21-063B00114N/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Herald-Journal |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://data.goupstate.com/bridge/kentucky/laurel/i-75-over-over-rockcastle-river/21-063B00114N/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite map|last=United States Geological Survey|title=Bernstadt, KY|publisher=United States Geological Survey|author-link=United States Geological Survey|type=Topographic map|year=2022|place=Reston, Virginia|scale=1:24,000|series=7.5 Minute Series|url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=220af7107c45268ef9e7f0c47811b0e2|access-date=July 29, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203201/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=220af7107c45268ef9e7f0c47811b0e2|url-status=live}} The Interstate turns a bit north and parallels a small stream for {{Convert|9|mi|km}} before reaching a direct interchange with US 25. I-75 then turns northwest again and meets US 25 a second time. Bypassing Mount Vernon to the north, I-75 passes along the shoreline of Lake Linville and continues to parallel US 25. Approximately {{Convert|10|mi|km}} after this, the Interstate enters the rocky Pottsville Escarpment to reach Madison County and from here, descends into the flat Bluegrass region.{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Donald |title=Roadside Geology Along Interstate Highway 75 in Kentucky |url=https://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/olops/pub/kgs/KGS11SP16.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708214439/https://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/olops/pub/kgs/KGS11SP16.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2024 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=kgs.uky.edu}} I-75 has an interchange with KY 21 (Paint Lick Road) near the city of Berea. After avoiding Berea to the west, I-75 passes through rural fields before milepost 83, where it reaches the city of Richmond and has an exit for KY 2872 (Duncannon Lane) and passes right near a Buc-ee's truck stop.{{Cite web |title=Buc-ee's travel center to open first location in Kentucky – REJournals |url=https://rejournals.com/buc-ees-travel-center-to-open-first-location-in-kentucky/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=rejournals.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203710/https://rejournals.com/buc-ees-travel-center-to-open-first-location-in-kentucky/ |url-status=live }} As it approaches the downtown area of Richmond, I-75 avoids it and passes off the flagship campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The route then hits suburban development and intersects with US 25/US 421 (Robert R. Martin Bypass). Here, I-75 curves northwest and then back north as it parallels US 25/US 421. At milepost 97, it meets US 25/US 421 (Lexington Road) again, but this time starts a brief concurrency with the U.S. Highways. The three routes turn northwest to cross the Kentucky River on the Clays Ferry Bridge and enter Fayette County.{{Cite web |title=Old Clay's Ferry Bridge - HistoricBridges.org |url=https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=kentucky/oldclaysferrybridge/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=historicbridges.org |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230106/https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=kentucky/oldclaysferrybridge/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Commercial |first=Daily |title=I-75 over KY 2328 & KY RIVER Fayette County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.dailycommercial.com/bridge/kentucky/fayette/i-75-over-ky-2328-ky-river/21-034B00153N/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Daily Commercial |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://data.dailycommercial.com/bridge/kentucky/fayette/i-75-over-ky-2328-ky-river/21-034B00153N/ |url-status=live }} I-75 then separates from both U.S. Highways and turns slightly northwest to enter Lexington.

= Lexington to Ohio =

File:I-64 West I-75 North Signs (44519930324).jpg

As it approaches Lexington, I-75 gradually begins entering the commercial developments of the city. After passing the neighborhood of Autumn Ridge, its first interchange in downtown is with Man o' War Boulevard.{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Man O' War Small Area Study Report |url=https://lexareampo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Lexington-MOW-Small-Area-Study_FINAL_RED.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024607/https://lexareampo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Lexington-MOW-Small-Area-Study_FINAL_RED.pdf |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=lexareampo.org}} It then stays in a northwest direction as it also passes near a hospital part of Baptist Health. The Interstate turns to the north and has an interchange with US 60 (Winchester Road), which leads to downtown. I-75 curves northwest again and has an interchange with I-64, which merges with I-75, beginning a concurrency and retaining I-75's exit numbers. The highways jog northwest through more of the city's commercial developments before reaching a parclo interchange with US 27/US 68 (North Broadway). I-64/I-75 stays northwest passing some of Lexington's neighborhoods such as Radcliffe, Joyland, and Winburn before meeting KY 922 (Newtown Pike) for the Bluegrass Parkway and Blue Grass Airport. From here, the routes head almost entirely west before I-64 splits from I-75 to head for Frankfort and Louisville while I-75 continues north through rural terrain. Its next interchange roughly {{Convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} after that is with KY 1973 (Iron Works Pike), providing indirect access to US 25, before entering Scott County a short distance later and crossing a stream known as Cane Run.{{Cite web |last=Naples Daily News |title=I-75 SOUTH over CANE RUN Scott County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.naplesnews.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-south-over-cane-run/21-105B00118L/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Naples Daily News |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://data.naplesnews.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-south-over-cane-run/21-105B00118L/ |url-status=live }}

File:Interstate 75 in Kentucky.JPG

Exiting the Lexington urban area and meandering its way through farmland, I-75 makes a turn to the northeast, then the northwest as it crosses the north branch of the Elkhorn Creek approaching Georgetown. Its first interchange there is with US 460 (Paris Pike) and then it immediately intersects with US 62 (Cherry Blossom Way). After its interchange with Lexus Way (exit 127), the Interstate reaches a rest area and interchanges with KY 620 (Cherry Blossom Way) a short distance later.{{Cite web |last=Record |first=The St Augustine |title=I-75 NORTH over KY 620 Scott County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.staugustine.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-north-over-ky-620/21-105B00122R/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The St. Augustine Record |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://data.staugustine.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-north-over-ky-620/21-105B00122R/ |url-status=live }} The northbound lanes then reach a truck weigh station as I-75 begins paralleling US 25 again.{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |title=Welcome Centers, Rest Areas and Weigh Stations |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/MultimodalFreight/Documents/Welcome%20Centers,%20Rest%20Areas%20and%20Weigh%20Stations.pdf |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=transportation.ky.gov |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203714/https://transportation.ky.gov/MultimodalFreight/Documents/Welcome%20Centers,%20Rest%20Areas%20and%20Weigh%20Stations.pdf |url-status=live }} I-75 passes through lush greenery and farmland, then crosses a branch of the Eagle Creek to reach an interchange with KY 32 near Sadieville. As I-75 bypasses Sadieville to the west, it crosses the main Eagle Creek and continues through rural land, entering Grant County and coming very close to the border with Owen County as well.{{Cite web |last=Coloradoan |first=Fort Collins |title=I-75 SOUTH over US 25 & EAGLE CREEK Scott County, Kentucky Bridge Inspection Report |url=https://data.coloradoan.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-south-over-us-25-eagle-creek/21-105B00123L/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Fort Collins Coloradoan |language=en |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203717/https://data.coloradoan.com/bridge/kentucky/scott/i-75-south-over-us-25-eagle-creek/21-105B00123L/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite map|last=United States Geological Survey|title=Sadieville, KY|publisher=United States Geological Survey|author-link=United States Geological Survey|type=Topographic map|year=2022|place=Reston, Virginia|scale=1:24,000|series=7.5 Minute Series|url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=a21dee042bd01c6c50105ae86a68d36c|access-date=July 29, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203716/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=a21dee042bd01c6c50105ae86a68d36c|url-status=live}} At milepost 144, it intersects KY 330 and passes along the shoreline of a nearby lake and after {{Convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}}, has an interchange with KY 36 for Owenton and Williamstown. The Interstate passes by more lush farmland for another {{Convert|5|mi|km}} to Dry Ridge, where it meets KY 22/KY 467 (Broadway Street), which both serve the downtown area. I-75 heads in a relatively straight direction north of the interchange, and passes the side of Boltz Lake for another {{Convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} to Crittenden, where an interchange with KY 491 (Violet Road) appears. A short distance from here, the southbound lanes have a truck weigh station while I-75 turns back to the northwest. It briefly enters Kenton County then crosses into Boone County in quick succession.{{Cite map|last=United States Geological Survey|title=Walton, KY|publisher=United States Geological Survey|type=Topographic map|author-link=United States Geological Survey|year=2022|place=Reston, Virginia|scale=1:24,000|series=7.5 Minute Series|url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=b396ca5f6f1b3b49eb8d90cdb9789acc|access-date=July 29, 2024|archive-date=July 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230007/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=b396ca5f6f1b3b49eb8d90cdb9789acc|url-status=live}}

File:I-75 South - Exit 173 - Interstate 71 South (44917040972).jpg

In Walton, I-75 interchanges with KY 16 for the city's district. {{Convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} after this, it reaches the interchange with I-71, which heads southbound for Louisville. I-71 joins I-75 in a concurrency, with both routes heading due north. Their first junction together is a diverging diamond interchange with KY 338 (Richwood Drive) for Richwood and Union. As I-71/I-75 passes the interchange, it enters Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati metropolitan area. From here, it passes Florence and interchanges with KY 536 (Mount Zion Road) and rolls by the campus of Gateway Community and Technical College. The route continues through more suburban development and at milepost 180, reaches a parclo interchange with US 42/US 127 for downtown Florence. As it bypasses the city to the west, I-71/I-75 has a southbound interchange for Mall Road, which connects to Florence Mall.{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |title=Mall Road/I-75 Interchange |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/IMR%20Mall%20Road%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612121456/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/IMR%20Mall%20Road%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=transportation.ky.gov}} Passing near the mall and the Florence Y'all Water Tower, I-71/I-75 makes a turn to the northeast and has an interchange with KY 18 (Burlington Pike). The highway then veers even more northeast for approximately a mile while entering Kenton County again in the process. It has a parclo interchange with KY 236 (Commonwealth Avenue) and reaches a stack interchange with the long I-275 beltway.{{Cite web |title=KYTC 75/275 Interchange Improvements Public Open House - PublicInput |url=https://publicinput.com/75275interchange |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=publicinput.com |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730113154/https://publicinput.com/75275interchange |url-status=live }} From here, I-71/I-75 continues for some distance, has a parclo with KY 371 (Buttermilk Pike), and then alternates between northeast and east directions for the next several miles. In the meantime, it bypasses both Fort Mitchell and Fort Wright to the north and has an interchange with US 25/US 42/US 127 upon entering Covington, then parallels them. I-71/I-75 turns back north and descends a steep incline, known as "Cut-in-the-Hill" for an interchange with 12th Street and 5th Street, both heading for the downtown area. After passing the many neighborhoods of Covington, I-71/I-75 crosses the Ohio River via the lower level of the Brent Spence Bridge (southbound traffic uses the upper level) into Hamilton County, Ohio and the city of Cincinnati.{{Cite web |title=New Brent Spence Companion Bridge |url=https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/dote-projects/new-brent-spence-companion-bridge/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=www.cincinnati-oh.gov |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729230006/https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/dote-projects/new-brent-spence-companion-bridge/ |url-status=live }}

History

= Initial design and construction =

As part of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, I-75 was one of the original Interstate Highways in Kentucky when the KYTC was allotted {{Convert|641|mi|km}} of mileage for a program, including undetermined mileage through the westernmost portion of Kentucky as well as an authorized route between Cairo, Illinois and Nashville, Tennessee to build in the state. As of November 24, 1957, I-75 was the longest single Interstate stretch in the program which costed a total of $350,277,000. While the program would take approximately 13 to 16 years, the length of I-75 was mostly complete to standards, running from the Ohio River at Covington to an unknown point north of Richmond in Madison County. This resulted in a {{Convert|70|mile|km|adj=on}} gap left to be filled in, as the other segment of I-75 in Laurel County, just north of Corbin, would continue on to the Tennessee state line, ultimately down south to Knoxville.{{Cite news |date=1957-11-24 |title=Where $350,000,000 Will Be Spent on Kentucky Highways In 3 Years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-where-350000000-w/154922240/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |work=The Courier-Journal |pages=70 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203718/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-where-350000000-w/154922240/ |url-status=live }} On December 15, 1961, Bert Combs, Wilson W. Wyatt, and Henry Ward selected I-75 as one of three stretches to be in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with the KY 55 and US 127 interchanges along I-64. The group of three headed to Florence and performed ribbon-cutting exercises, resulting in this portion of I-75 becoming the first one to be opened formally to the public.{{Cite news |date=1961-12-15 |title=Dedication of I-64 Section In Clark And Montgomery Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-dedication-of-i-64/152478819/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=17 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203816/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-dedication-of-i-64/152478819/ |url-status=live }}File:KY 18 I75 FHWA 1967 664.jpgOn December 19, several days later, the southernmost portion of the {{Convert|21.5|mi|km|adj=on}} segment of I-75 at the KY 22 interchange in Dry Ridge was officially dedicated to the public as well. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 3 pm on the north end of the interchange with Combs also participating. This part was open, and the segment from Florence to Covington was expected to be open around spring of 1962 once the interchange with Fifth Street was also completed. During the same time, the stretch of I-64 from Frankfort to Shelbyville was also dedicated, allowing drivers to use I-75 to get from Dry Ridge to Louisville along a mostly four-lane road.{{Cite news |date=1961-12-19 |title=Frankfort-Shelbyville I-64 Dedicated; 160 Miles Open |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-frankfort-shelbyville/152478741/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The State Journal |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203817/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-frankfort-shelbyville/152478741/ |url-status=live }} Around the week of August 1962, another section of the Interstate was opened from the same interchange with KY 22 at Dry Ridge to KY 36 south of Williamstown, a stretch of approximately {{Convert|29.4|mi|km}} while paralleling US 25. Although US 25 goes through several communities, the government announced that I-75 would bypass these places to the west, avoiding their traffic lights and low speed limits and saving drivers several minutes of time. As this segment was opened, it almost connected with the already complete segment in Florence. Ward indicated however, that it was "not likely" the highway would be opened by September 1 as signs had not been installed and a formal inspection had to be done before the opening of the full segment.{{Cite news |date=1962-08-15 |title=More of I-75 Open for Travel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-more-of-i-75-open-for/152478406/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Kentucky Post and Times-Star |page=1K |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909203721/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-more-of-i-75-open-for/152478406/ |url-status=live }} September 14 saw the dedication of {{Convert|11|mi|km}} of the Interstate from Florence to Fifth Street in Covington, allowing drivers to travel approximately {{Convert|38|mi|km}} from Covington to Williamstown, with paving on a {{Convert|12|mi|km|adj=on}} section in Scott County north of Georgetown still in progress.{{Cite news |date=1962-09-12 |title=11 Miles Of Interstate 75 To Be Dedicated Friday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-11-miles-of-interst/152478503/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} By December 20, the Kentucky State Police announced that the stretch of I-75 between Richmond and the Clays Ferry Bridge was open to traffic.{{Cite news |date=1962-12-21 |title=I-75 Stretch In Madison Now Open |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-i-75-stretch-in-mad/152665078/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=21 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204231/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-i-75-stretch-in-mad/152665078/ |url-status=live }}

By January 16, 1963, over $18 million worth of roads were dedicated by the government, being the first dedications in 1963 after a full year of construction. The dedication for I-75 at the US 25 interchange at Richmond was opened by 2 pm with an approximate cost of $7.37 million.{{Cite news |date=1963-01-05 |title=Over $18 Million In New Roads To Be Opened Officially Jan. 16 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-over-18-million-in/152664578/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-over-18-million-in/152664578/ |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} On January 17, Combs said at a ribbon-cutting tour that if construction continued at a constant rate of speed, then the Interstate could be fully completed by 1972. Ward also said that I-75 from Cincinnati to Richmond could be ready for travel around 1964. I-75 between Clays Ferry and Richmond had already been built, and the bypass at Frankfort helped shorten the driving time between Lexington and Louisville anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes. The state as a whole decided that the I-75 corridor would cut between Berea, Richmond, Mount Vernon, and Corbin on its way to Tennessee, paralleling that of US 25. The decision would be pending "for a few weeks", as the state was required to get approval from the federal government before proceeding ahead even if the suggestion was approved.{{Cite news |date=1963-01-17 |title=Combs Says Interstate System May Be Completed Before 1972 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-combs-says-intersta/152665008/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204232/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-combs-says-intersta/152665008/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=1963-01-17 |title=Combs: Turnpike Work Moving Along |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-combs-turnpike-work-mov/152664680/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Paducah Sun-Democrat |pages=1A |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204256/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-combs-turnpike-work-mov/152664680/ |url-status=live }} On October 25, another {{Convert|19|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the Interstate was opened, but signs and traffic islands had not been erected yet and according to a State Highway Department official, a strip would have its opening later. With the highway almost complete, the last gap in the Interstate to Covington would be opened in approximately 30 days.{{Cite news |date=1963-10-26 |title=I-75 Now Open For 19 Miles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-i-75-now-open-fo/152478251/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Leader |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204233/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-i-75-now-open-fo/152478251/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=1963-10-26 |title=Interstate Stretch Opened To Traffic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-interstate-stretch/152478299/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-interstate-stretch/152478299/ |url-status=live }}

On November 24, 1964, the state opened up more than $16 million worth of Interstate Highways in Fayette County, which involved "barrier breaking" to open up I-75 in the area. The "barrier breaking" opened up a {{Convert|7.75|mi|km|adj=on}} section of road where I-75 and I-64 covered a circle to the north and east of Lexington while an additional {{Convert|5|mi|km|sp=us}} of I-75 was also opened in the area. This allowed travelers to drive a distance of {{Convert|100|mi|km}} from Richmond to Cincinnati.{{Cite news |date=1964-11-24 |title=I-75 Now Open To Richmond Without Break |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-i-75-now-open-to-richm/152478159/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Kentucky Post and Times-Star |page=2K |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204347/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-i-75-now-open-to-richm/152478159/ |url-status=live }} By 1966, out of its {{Convert|191.6|mi|km|adj=on}} length, approximately {{Convert|114|mi|km}} of the Interstate were fully complete, while {{Convert|35|mi|km}} were still under construction. The sections open included from the Tennessee state line to near Williamsburg, and from Richmond to Covington. The stretch from Corbin to near Roundstone in Rockcastle County was still undergoing construction, and right-of-way acquisition as well as engineering were on process in parts of Rockcastle, Laurel, and Whitley counties.{{Cite news |date=1966-07-24 |title=More Than 1,300 Miles Of Highways Built Or Under Study, Ward Says |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-more-than-1300/154931091/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |pages=30 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204235/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-more-than-1300/154931091/ |url-status=live }} By December 30, 1967, a {{Convert|3|mi|km|sp=us|adj=on|spell=in}} portion at Mount Vernon was opened and connected to US 25 at both ends, providing a bypass around the city and relieving a bottleneck for many travelers.{{Cite news |date=1967-12-30 |title=I-75 Bypass At Mt. Vernon Will Be Opened Saturday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-i-75-bypass-at-m/152477944/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Herald and The Lexington Leader |pages=13 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204754/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-i-75-bypass-at-m/152477944/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=1968-01-02 |title=Bottle-neck ends |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger-bottle-neck-ends/152477897/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=Danville Advocate-Messenger |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger-bottle-neck-ends/152477897/ |url-status=live }} By May 16, 1969, I-75 through Corbin was finished and opened for traffic, officially completing the Interstate as a whole.{{Cite news |date=1969-05-18 |title=Highway Commissioner Opens Interstate 75 Around Corbin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-corbin-times-highway-commissioner-op/152477807/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Corbin Sunday Times |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-corbin-times-highway-commissioner-op/152477807/ |url-status=live }}

= Later history =

== Projects ==

I-75 has undergone multiple projects and alignments since its establishment. The Clays Ferry Bridge which carries I-75 traffic across the Kentucky River was fully opened to traffic on December 2, 1963, at a cost of $2,450,000. The bridge, which was designed for southbound travelers, faces parallel with the older bridge made of riveted truss. It was made of welded truss and resulted in Kentucky having the highest bridges east of the Mississippi River, with a length of {{Convert|250|ft|m}} across the body of the river. The bridge was designed with 11,397 cubic yards of concrete, 5,202,700 pounds of concrete, and 1,646,127 pounds of steel reinforcement.{{Cite news |date=1963-11-26 |title=New Clays Ferry Bridge Over Kentucky River Open For Traffic December 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-new-clays-ferry-bridge/152664313/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The State Journal |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204851/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-new-clays-ferry-bridge/152664313/ |url-status=live }} The Brent Spence Bridge at Covington was dedicated a day later, at a cost of approximately $10 million and a double-decker bridge. It was the first Ohio River bridge to be constructed in 72 years, allowing traffic to run uninterrupted from Georgetown to just south of Dayton, Ohio, at a distance of about {{Convert|115|mi|km}}.{{Cite news |date=1963-12-03 |title=New Brent Spence Bridge At Covington Dedicated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-new-brent-spence/152663976/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Lexington Leader |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-new-brent-spence/152663976/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=1963-12-02 |title=New Bridge Is Milestone In Local History |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-new-bridge-is-mileston/152663890/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Kentucky Post and Times-Star |pages=12K |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204853/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kentucky-post-new-bridge-is-mileston/152663890/ |url-status=live }}

File:Brent Spence Bridge Covington Kentucky.JPG

The interchange of I-71/I-75 and I-275 has seen a push to be renovated. In an August 2019 survey from the 5th to the 19th, approximately 2,278 people provided a response to the survey, with 79% of respondents using the interchange several times a week or even several times a day, and 63% of respondents using the interchange for work-related travel. Many respondents also frequently cited several issues at the interchange; there was often dangerous merging from I-275 to the Erlanger interchange, slow traffic along I-275 in both sides of I-71/I-75, and slowdowns on I-71/I-75 themselves on the north and south sides of the interchange. The peak travel time was shown to be between 5-7 pm. As the problem had been persisting for several years, the process to renovate the interchange was divided into five phases: planning, preliminary engineering and environmental evaluation, design, right of way and utility coordination, and construction. Currently, the project has completed the survey and scoping study, while it is in the second phase: preliminary engineering and environmental analysis.{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |date=August 2019 |title=75275 Public Input Summary Report |url=https://www.75275interchange.org/_files/ugd/e63c00_0bfdc9f461184808ac72711e33f4b710.pdf |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=www.75275interchange.org}}{{Cite web |title=KYTC 75/275 Interchange Improvements Public Open House - PublicInput |url=https://publicinput.com/75275interchange#tab-34347 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=publicinput.com |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731042715/https://www.publicinput.com/75275interchange#tab-34347 |url-status=live }}

Some widening projects have also been undertaken along the Interstate to help reduce traffic and improve flow. Around November 1990, the state received $21 million in funds to widen a {{Convert|7.7|mi|km|adj=on}} section of I-75 in Scott County to three lanes from a weigh station to the Eagle Creek bridges. Although the total project would cost about $23.5 million total, the state would contribute $2.3 million not in federal grant money.{{Cite news |date=1990-11-29 |title=State gets $21 million for I-75 work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-state-gets-21-m/154950090/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |pages=17 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204747/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-state-gets-21-m/154950090/ |url-status=live }} In northern and southern Laurel County, the state helped widen the roadway of the Interstate from four to six lanes. The northern portion of the project, located at milepost 40.7 to 48, involves the segment running from south of KY 909 to London, a distance of about {{Convert|7.29|mi|km}}. It also involved adding two new bridges along US 25 over I-75 and providing truck climbing lanes at the steep portion of the roadway near the Wood Creek Lake reservoir to reduce accidents caused by trucks. The southern portion, located at mileposts 28.9 to 33.2, was projected to be widened from four to six lanes too, and also reconstruct the bridges over the Little Laurel River, both of which I-75 crosses. The southern portion of the project was completed on November 30, 2021, while the northern portion was completed on July 16, 2022.{{Cite web |title=I-75 widening projects in northern and southern Laurel County {{!}} KYTC |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictEleven/Pages/I-75-widening-projects-in-northern-and-southern-Laurel-County.aspx |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=transportation.ky.gov |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921122651/https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictEleven/Pages/I-75-widening-projects-in-northern-and-southern-Laurel-County.aspx |url-status=live }} Currently, the section of I-64/I-75 in Lexington is also undergoing widening; this segment was a length of {{Convert|2.3|mi|km}}, extending from milepost 112.9 to 115.2 and at a cost of $48 million. The project is estimated to widen the roadway to eight lanes to improve traffic flow as the interchanges in Lexington experience heavy congestion. The project was let to construction on August 18, 2022, awarded on August 23, and construction is currently ongoing as of September.{{Cite web |title=I-64/I-75 Widening Project {{!}} KYTC |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictSeven/Pages/I64-I75-Widening-Project.aspx |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=transportation.ky.gov |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214130912/https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictSeven/Pages/I64-I75-Widening-Project.aspx |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |date=May 24, 2024 |title=I-75 Widening Expands Project Area To Improve Travel in Fayette County |url=https://transportation.ky.gov/NewsRoom/Fayette%20Co%20I%2075%20Widening%20Project.pdf |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=Kentucky Transportation Cabinet}}

== Incidents ==

=== Cut-in-the-Hill ===

File:I-71 I-75 Cincinnati.jpg

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".{{cite web |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Sh4DAAAAMBAJ&q=downtown+cincinnati&pg=PA79 |title = Around Town |publisher = Cincinnati Magazine |work = Cincinnati USA City Guide |date = 2007 |access-date = May 6, 2013 |last = Smith |first = Steve |pages = 79 |display-authors = etal |archive-date = September 9, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204805/https://books.google.com/books?id=Sh4DAAAAMBAJ&q=downtown+cincinnati&pg=PA79#v=snippet&q=downtown%20cincinnati&f=false |url-status = live }}{{Cite news |date=1994-03-20 |title=End near for Death Hill? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-end-near-for-dea/154976817/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |page=B1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1994-03-20 |title=Death Hill: Deadline is December |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-death-hill-dead/154977130/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |page=B4 |via=Newspapers.com}} It is a steep descent into the valley of the Ohio River between Kyles Lane and the Brent Spence Bridge leading into Downtown Cincinnati.

{{cite news |title = Travel Restrictions Lifted, But Officials Urge Caution |publisher = WLWT |date = January 27, 2009 |url = http://www.wlwt.com/news/18576589/detail.html |access-date = January 28, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524084328/http://www.wlwt.com/news/18576589/detail.html |archive-date = May 24, 2011 }}

The hill is known for its high number of automobile accidents.{{cite news |url = http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Aggressive-Driving-Crackdown-Starts/EV3GUB_vVU-_dZyv-6lwdg.cspx |title = Aggressive Driving Crackdown Starts |work = Kentucky Post |date = October 7, 2008 |access-date = January 28, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2006, the Cut-in-the-Hill averaged over seven times more accidents when compared to similar roadways in Kentucky. At the Cut-in-the-Hill, the northbound road takes a sharp left turn into a steep grade down to the Ohio River—about {{convert|370|ft|m}} in {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}}.{{cite news |last = Eigelbach |first = Kevin |title = Is I-75 Cut plan making the grade? |work = Kentucky Post |date = January 31, 2007 |url = http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12119.msg167027.html#msg167027 |access-date = January 28, 2009 |archive-date = July 16, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716065245/http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12119.msg167027.html#msg167027 |url-status = dead }} Accidents are usually attributed to a combination of speeding, curvy lanes, poor weather, longer stopping times for trucks traveling downhill, and traffic congestion.{{Cite news |date=2007-01-06 |title=Is Cut-in-the-Hill unsafe? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-is-cut-in-the-hill-u/154972909/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-is-cut-in-the-hill-u/154972909/ |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Cincinnati Post |page=1A |via=Newspapers.com}} The area earned the sobriquet "Death Hill"{{cite news |url = http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12119.msg167026.html#msg167026 |title = Why 'Cut' warning might work |work = Cincinnati Enquirer |date = January 11, 2007 |access-date = January 28, 2009 |last = Saladin |first = Luke E. |archive-date = July 16, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716065252/http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12119.msg167026.html#msg167026 |url-status = dead }} shortly after I-75 opened in 1962. By 1968, a total of 23 people died in crashes on the hill, so a concrete wall was installed to separate northbound and southbound traffic. The wall helped reduce fatal crashes, but accidents continued, and in 1977, the hill averaged 583 automobile accidents per year.

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. As a result, Governor Martha Layne Collins banned most northbound tractor-trailer traffic from the hill. From 1989 until 1994, $50 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|50000000|1994}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) in reconstruction was spent to straighten the hill's S-curve and add a fourth lane for southbound traffic, and in 1995, the truck ban was lifted.{{Cite news |date=2007-01-06 |title=Is Cut-in-the-Hill unsafe? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-is-cut-in-the-hill-u/154972909/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Cincinnati Post |page=1A |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-is-cut-in-the-hill-u/154972909/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2007-01-06 |title=Wrecks: Is Interstate 75 safe? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-wrecks-is-interstat/154973062/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Cincinnati Post |page=5A |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205358/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-wrecks-is-interstat/154973062/ |url-status=live }} 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. 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. To help reduce the number of accidents, a flashing "Steep Grade" sign was installed and a Kentucky State Police trooper was assigned to patrol just the Cut-in-the-Hill.{{cite news |last=Rutledge |first=Mike |date=January 10, 2007 |title='Cut-in-hill' wrecks pile up: 272 crashes in '06; warning will flash |url=http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12119.msg167024.html#msg167024 |access-date=January 28, 2009 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} Additionally, eight radar speed signs would be installed in 2007 to remind motorists to drive a safer speed.{{Cite news |date=2007-02-20 |title=Radar-speed signs for I-75 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-radar-speed-sign/154973918/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |page=C3 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205313/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-radar-speed-sign/154973918/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2007-03-06 |title=I-75 to feature solar-powered signs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-news-i-75-to-feature-solar-p/154977785/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Journal News |page=A3 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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. Kentucky officials are reportedly working to raise more than $2 billion to replace the section of highway, but {{As of|2012|lc=y}}, no construction is planned.

{{-}}

Exit list

{{Jcttop|exit|length_ref={{efn|Milepoint route logs reset at county lines. Lengths are determined by adding subsequent county miles.}}}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Whitley

|cspan=4

|location=none

|mile=0.000

|road={{jct|state=TN|I|75|dir1=south|city1=Knoxville}}

|notes=Continuation into Tennessee

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Williamsburg

|lspan=2

|mile=10.548

|exit=11

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|92|to2=yes|US|25W|city1=Williamsburg|city2=Pineville}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=15.456

|exit=15

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25W|city1=Williamsburg}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Corbin

|mile=24.670

|exit=25

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25W|name1=Cumberland Falls Highway|city1=Corbin}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Laurel

|cspan=4

|location=North Corbin

|mile=28.852

|exit=29

|road={{jct|state=KY|road|Cumberland Gap Parkway|to1=yes|US|25|US|25E|city1=Corbin|city2=Barbourville}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=London

|lspan=2

|mile=38.187

|exit=38

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|192|name1=B. W. Ridge Road|to2=yes|Parkway|Hal Rogers|city1=London}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=40.708

|exit=41

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|80|name1=Hal Rogers Parkway|city1=London|city2=Somerset|city3=Hazard}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=East Bernstadt

|mile=49.132

|exit=49

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|909|to2=to|US|25|name2=Wilderness Road Heritage Highway|city1=Livingston}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Rockcastle

|cspan=2

|location=Mount Vernon

|lspan=2

|mile=58.966

|exit=59

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|US|150|to2=yes|name1=Wilderness Road Heritage Highway|city1=Mt. Vernon|city2=Livingston}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=62.013

|exit=62

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|to2=yes|KY|461|name1=Richmond Street|city1=Mt. Vernon|city2=Renfro Valley}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Madison

|cspan=7

|location=Berea

|lspan=2

|mile=75.516

|exit=76

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|21|name1=E. Chestnut Street, W. Paint Lick Road|to2=to|US|25|city1=Berea}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=77.468

|exit=77

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|595|name1=Walnut Meadow Pike|to2=to|KY|956|city1=Berea}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Richmond

|lspan=5

|mile=82.832

|exit=83

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|2872|to2=yes|US|25|name1=Duncannon Lane|city1=Richmond}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=87.150

|exit=87

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|876|name1=Eastern Bypass|city1=Richmond|city2=Lancaster}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=89.833

|exit=90

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|US|421|name2=Robert R. Martin Bypass|city1=Richmond|city2=Irvine}}

|notes=Signed as 90B (north) and 90A (south) southbound; northbound exit also connects to businesses on Northgate and Lexington roads (signed as Service Access Road)

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=94.715

|exit=95

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|627|name1=Boonesborough Road|city1=Boonesborough|city2=Winchester}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=97.038

|exit=97

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|dir1=south|US|421|dir2=south|name2=Lexington Road|city1=Richmond|city2=Clays Ferry}}

|notes=South end of US 25 / US 421 overlap

}}

{{Jctbridge|exit

|river=Kentucky River

|mile=97.541

|mile2=97.865

|bridge=Clays Ferry Bridge

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Fayette

|cspan=9

|location=Lexington

|lspan=9

|type=concur

|mile=98.516

|exit=99

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|dir1=north|US|421|dir2=north|name2=Old Richmond Road|city1=Lexington|city2=Clays Ferry}}

|notes=North end of US 25 / US 421 overlap

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=103.890

|exit=104

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|418|name1=Athens-Boonesborough Road|city1=Lexington|city2=Athens|city3=Boonesborough}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=108.247

|exit=108

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|1425|name1=Man o' War Boulevard|city1=Lexington}}

|notes=KY 1425 not signed

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=109.677

|exit=110

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|60|name1=Winchester Road|city1=Lexington|city2=Winchester}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=110.829

|exit=111

|road={{jct|state=KY|I|64|dir1=east|city1=Winchester|city2=Ashland}}

|notes=South end of I-64 overlap; I-64 exit 81

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=112.834

|exit=113

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|27|US|68|name2=Broadway|city1=Lexington|city2=Paris}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=115.226

|exit=115

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|922|name1=Newtown Pike|to2=yes|Parkway|Bluegrass|city1=Lexington|location2=Blue Grass Airport}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=117.665

|exit=118

|road={{jct|state=KY|I|64|dir1=west|city1=Frankfort|city2=Louisville}}

|notes=North end of I-64 overlap; I-64 exit 75

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=119.873

|exit=120

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|1973|name1=Iron Works Pike|to2=to|US|25|city1=Lexington|city2=Georgetown}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Scott

|cspan=5

|location=Georgetown

|lspan=4

|type=incomplete

|mile=124.868

|exit=125

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|460|name1=Paris Pike|city1=Georgetown|city2=Paris}}

|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=125.528

|exit=126

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|62|name1=Cherry Blossom Way|city1=Georgetown|city2=Cynthiana}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=126.764

|exit=127

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|3552|name1=Lexus Way}}

|type=

|notes=Opened November 1, 2016;{{cite web |url = http://www.news-graphic.com/breaking_news/i--interchange-project-begins-in-scott-county-state-officials/article_e7998b48-d4c7-11e4-bb6c-e7bcfa9ef1f5.html |title = I-75 Interchange Project begins in Scott County, state officials announce |date = March 27, 2015 |work = The News-Graphic |access-date = July 13, 2016 |archive-date = November 3, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161103121641/http://www.news-graphic.com/breaking_news/i--interchange-project-begins-in-scott-county-state-officials/article_e7998b48-d4c7-11e4-bb6c-e7bcfa9ef1f5.html |url-status = live }} provides access for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=129.199

|exit=129

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|620|name1=Cherry Blossom Way|to2=to|US|25|city1=Georgetown}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Sadieville

|mile=136.468

|exit=136

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|32|name1=Porter Road|to2=to|US|25|city1=Sadieville|city2=Cynthiana}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Grant

|cspan=5

|location=Corinth

|mile=144.443

|exit=144

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|330|name1=Owenton Road|city1=Corinth|city2=Owenton}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Williamstown

|lspan=2

|mile=154.175

|exit=154

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|36|to2=to|US|25|city1=Williamstown|city2=Owenton}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=155.772

|exit=156

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|1560|name1=Barnes Road|city1=Williamstown}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Dry Ridge

|mile=158.544

|exit=159

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|22|KY|467|name2=Broadway Street|city1=Dry Ridge|city2=Owenton}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Crittenden

|mile=165.901

|exit=166

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|491|name1=Violet Road|to2=to|city1=Crittenden}}

}}

{{jctco|exit|state=KY|county=Kenton}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Boone

|cspan=8

|location=Walton

|lspan=2

|mile=171.378

|exit=171

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|14|KY|16|name2=Mary Grubbs Highway|to3=to|US|25|city1=Walton|city2=Verona}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=173.532

|exit=173

|road={{jct|state=KY|I|71|dir1=south|city1=Louisville}}

|notes=South end of I-71 overlap; I-71 exit 77

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Union

|lspan=2

|mile=175.392

|exit=175

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|338|name1=Richwood Drive|to2=to|US|25|city1=Richwood|city2=Union|city3=Walton}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=178.019

|exit=178

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|536|name1=Mt. Zion Road|city1=Union|city2=Independence}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Florence

|lspan=4

|mile=180.45

|exit=180

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|127|US|42|city1=Florence|city2=Union|city3=Erlanger}}

|notes=Signed as 180B southbound}}

{{KYint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=180.464

|exit=180A

|road=Mall Road

|notes=No northbound exit; access to Florence Mall

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=181.178

|exit=181

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|18|name1=Burlington Pike|city1=Florence|city2=Burlington}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=182.378

|exit=182

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|1017|name1=Turfway Road|KY|842|city1=Florence}}

|notes=Southbound access via right-in/right-out with Thoroughbred Boulevard

}}

{{KYint|exit

|county=Kenton

|cspan=8

|location=Erlanger

|lspan=2

|mile=183.685

|exit=184

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|236|name1=Commonwealth Avenue, Donaldson Highway|city1=Erlanger}}

|notes=Signed as 184B (west) and 184A (east) southbound

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=184.708

|exit=185

|road={{jct|state=KY|I|275|to2=to|I|471|dir2=north|location1=Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport|extra=airport}}

|notes=I-275 exit 84

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Fort Mitchell

|lspan=2

|mile=186.274

|exit=186

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|371|name1=Buttermilk Pike|city1=Fort Mitchell|city2=Crescent Springs}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=187.675

|exit=188

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|US|127|US|42|name3=Dixie Highway|city1=Fort Mitchell|city2=Fort Wright}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Fort Wright

|mile=188.585

|exit=189

|road={{jct|state=KY|KY|1072|name1=Kyles Lane|city1=Fort Wright|city2=Park Hills}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|location=Covington

|lspan=3

|mile=

|exit=190

|type=former

|road=Jefferson Avenue, Euclid Avenue

|notes=Exit removed in 1994{{cite news |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-end-near-for-dea/154976817/ |title = End near for Death Hill? |work = The Cincinnati Enquirer |date = March 20, 1994 |access-date = June 6, 2019 |first = Jim |last = Calhoun |pages = B1, B4 |archive-date = June 14, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190614153204/http://www.newspapers.com/image/102045646/ |url-status = live |via=Newspapers.com }}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=190.453

|exit=191

|road={{jct|state=KY|US|25|US|127|US|42|name3=Pike Street|road|Twelfth Street / Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard|city1=Covington}}

}}

{{KYint|exit

|mile=191.132

|exit=192

|road={{jctname|state=KY|KY|8|name1=Fifth Street|noshield=y|city1=Covington|city2=Newport}}

|notes=KY 8 not signed

}}

{{Jctbridge|exit

|river=Ohio River

|lspan=2

|mile=191.366

|mile2=191.777

|mspan=2

|bridge=Brent Spence Bridge

}}

{{Jctint|exit

|mile=none

|road={{jct|state=OH|I|71|dir1=north|I|75|dir2=north|city1=Cincinnati}}

|notes=Continuation into Ohio

}}

{{jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{KYTC route log|county=Whitley|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Laurel|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Rockcastle|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Madison|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Fayette|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Scott|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Grant|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Kenton|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{KYTC route log|county=Boone|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}

{{cite web |author = Department of Planning |url = https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/State-Primary-Road-System.aspx |title = State Primary Road System |date = May 2018 |publisher = Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |location = Frankfort |access-date = November 7, 2018 |archive-date = November 4, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181104125840/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/State-Primary-Road-System.aspx |url-status = live }}

  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Whitley.pdf Whitley County]
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Laurel.pdf Laurel County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703072042/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Laurel.pdf |date=July 3, 2018 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Rockcastle.pdf Rockcastle County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145415/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Rockcastle.pdf |date=November 7, 2018 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Madison.pdf Madison County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703072229/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Madison.pdf |date=July 3, 2018 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Fayette.pdf Fayette County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185317/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Fayette.pdf |date=November 7, 2018 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Scott.pdf Scott County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205259/http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Scott.pdf |date=September 9, 2024 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Grant.pdf Grant County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705001324/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Grant.pdf |date=July 5, 2020 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Kenton.pdf Kenton County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107224841/https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Kenton.pdf |date=November 7, 2018 }}
  • [http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Boone.pdf Boone County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909205253/http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/SPRS%20Maps/Boone.pdf |date=September 9, 2024 }}

}}

External links

{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}

  • {{Commons category-inline|Interstate 75 in Kentucky}}

{{State detail page browse|type=I|route=75|statebefore=Tennessee|state=Kentucky|stateafter=Ohio}}

{{3di|75}}

Kentucky

75

0075

Category:Transportation in Whitley County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Laurel County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Rockcastle County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Madison County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Scott County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Grant County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Kenton County, Kentucky

Category:Transportation in Boone County, Kentucky