MURRAY, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined state and local officials to ceremonially open the new, long-awaited four-lane section of U.S. Highway 641 in southern Calloway County.
The new roadway covers 5.6 miles from Murray to Hazel, on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. It will complete Kentucky’s section of a corridor from Interstate Highway 69 at Benton to Paris, Tennessee, and Interstate Highway 40 to the south. The current two-lane U.S. 641 carries about 6,000 vehicles a day.
“Our Kentucky families deserve safe and smooth roads, and the great jobs that come with great infrastructure,” Gov. Beshear said. “Folks in Western Kentucky have been waiting for this improvement of U.S. 641 for decades, and we got it done. This $37.6 million investment is going to make a real difference in Calloway County and beyond.”
The new highway is expected to be open to traffic by the end of the week. Construction crews are wrapping up work on the final connecting points to the existing roadway.
Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor for the project. Construction was jump-started with a $23 million federal BUILD (Better Using Investments to Leverage Development) grant awarded to the Calloway County Fiscal Court in December 2018. The BUILD grant provided funding for the design and planning of the new roadway.
Calloway County Judge/Executive Kenny Imes said the new U.S. 641 corridor will have a big impact on Murray, Calloway County, and the region: “The planning for this new highway has involved hundreds of community leaders over the years – putting together some really big puzzle pieces to get us to where we are today. Improvements to U.S. 641 South will create a safer roadway while expanding economic development opportunities. This project is the result of more than 30 years of effort and planning by our community.”
State Sen. Jason Howell of Murray said the opening of the new highway is a testament to local, state and federal cooperation: “I want to thank everyone who consistently pushed for this project over the years. It has taken a persistent effort at all levels of our community – local, state and federal government – to bring this new highway to reality. New U.S. 641 will benefit Calloway County and all of Western Kentucky in ways we can’t imagine.”
State Rep. Mary Beth Imes noted that the new highway strengthens Murray’s traditional north-south trade connections: “The completion of this new four-lane helps to enhance U.S. 641 as a major corridor for commerce and economic development. As our friends in the Transportation Cabinet are fond of saying, ‘Highways create commerce, and commerce creates jobs.’”
Murray Mayor Bob Rogers said he and Murray community leaders are more than excited to see the new four-lane completed: “This project is a testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together. The city of Murray, the Calloway County Fiscal Court, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Murray State University, federal and state elected officials, the Murray Calloway County Economic Development Corporation, as well as community leaders all came together and worked tirelessly to see this project completed. I cannot overstate the importance of this project and the future economic and safety benefits it will provide our community for years to come. This is a great accomplishment for the entire region.”
Kyle Poat, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 chief engineer, said it will take a few days for the contractor to complete the connecting points to move traffic to the new four-lane.
Once traffic is moved, there will temporarily be two-way traffic immediately south of Murray while bridge connections are completed. Poat reminded motorists to be alert for flaggers controlling traffic as final work continues. He also asked area residents who live on side roads along the corridor to be aware of changes in traffic flow once the new four-lane highway is opened.
Earlier today, Gov. Beshear also announced that Kenlake Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kroger Co., is expanding its current operation in Calloway County with a $24 million investment creating 15 high-wage, Kentucky jobs.
Photo: A paving crew completing the final round of paving along the main line of New U.S. 641, South of Murray. KY Transportation Cabinet photo.