FLEMINGSBURG, Ky.  — Contractors expect to start paving operations on U.S. 23 in Boyd County this week as part of a nearly $3 million Transportation Cabinet improvement project.

Paving should begin Wednesday or Thursday, April 24-25, on U.S. 23 between the I-64 overpass and U.S. 60-35th Street at Catlettsburg. Crews will start at I-64 on the northbound lanes and work north, then turn and work southward back to the interstate.

During paving operations, traffic on U.S. 23 will be restricted to one lane during daytime work hours, about 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Due to heavy traffic — as much as 20,000 vehicles per day use U.S. 23 – significant delays are likely. In addition, turn lanes and business entrances may be blocked for brief periods of time.

Motorists should plan travel accordingly and are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible, and should slow down while in work zones. Speed restrictions will be in force.

Paving will continue each day over the next few weeks, moving along 6 miles of U.S. 23 in sections between I-64 at Catlettsburg and the Greenup-Winchester avenue split at Ashland.

The work is part of a project that started earlier this month and included concrete and sidewalk repairs in isolated areas of roadside damage, as well as full-depth pavement repairs in some places. Now, resurfacing operations will bring new blacktop to the heavily-traveled corridor.

The project is being done by Mountain Enterprises Inc. under a $2,720,720.10 low-bid Transportation Cabinet contract.

Road work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Motorists are asked to heed all warning signs, slow down in work zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment when traveling.