Kentucky State transportation officials shared crash data showing innovative intersection designs are significantly reducing injury crashes, fulfilling Team Kentucky’s commitment to protect Kentuckians through safer highways. Reduced Conflict U-Turns (RCUTs) on U.S. 45 in McCracken and Graves counties, U.S. 60 in McCracken County, and U.S. 641 in Marshall County, all constructed between 2020 and 2021, are proving to improve safety and traffic flow.
RCUTs, which use median crossovers to eliminate side-street left turns, are being incorporated more often in highway projects to promote a freer and safer flow of traffic. The innovative design eliminates multiple points of conflict where vehicles cross paths, including at right angles, which reduces the risk of severe crashes.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) engineers have studied crash data from four years prior to construction and four years post-construction (data ending in Dec. 2025) at the following five RCUT locations in Highway District 1:
- U.S. 641 at KY 402 (Brewers Highway-Aurora Highway) in Marshall County
- Pre-construction: 23 crashes, 26 injuries, and 1 fatality.
- Post-construction: 18 crashes, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 96% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 60 at KY 726 (Kelly Road) Intersection in McCracken County
- Pre-construction: 11 crashes, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities.
- Post-construction: 2 crashes, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 100% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 60 at KY 996 (Metropolis Lake Road) in McCracken County
- Pre-construction: 16 crashes, 18 injuries, and 1 fatality.
- Post-construction: 16 crashes, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents an 89% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 45 at KY 1288 (Lebanon Church Road) in McCracken County
- Pre-construction: 22 crashes, 13 injuries, and 2 fatalities.
- Post-construction: 16 crashes, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 77% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 45 at KY 408 (near Fristoe’s Grocery & Restaurant) in Graves County
- Pre-construction: 41 crashes, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities.
- Post-construction: 15 crashes, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 68% reduction in total injuries.
“Injuries at these locations decreased by between 68% and 100% following the changes we made,” said KYTC District 1 Chief District Engineer Kyle Poat. “We are very pleased with these results. Most importantly, they’re helping save lives, as there have been no fatalities at any of these intersections over the past four years.”
RCUTs and other safer road designs, such as roundabouts, will continue to be a part of KYTC’s strategic efforts to improve highway safety statewide.
“Our district has about 8 additional RCUTs and close to 20 roundabouts in the design phase – two innovative intersection designs which will help traffic flow more efficiently and reduce crashes,” Poat said.
For educational information on RCUTs, roundabouts and other innovative highway designs – including fact sheets, diagrams and video overviews – visit the KYTC’s SAFERoad Solutions website at https://transportation.ky.gov/