Slate Branch Road (KY 1642) and KY HWY 914 remain without a traffic light.
By Michael R. Grigsby, Editor | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate
Image by SPA (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved
Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)---The intersection of KY Highway 914 and Slate Branch Road (KY 1642) has been a persistent topic of conversation and concern among Pulaski County residents in recent months, largely due to ongoing traffic delays and the absence of a crucial traffic signal. Social media has been rife with speculation, ranging from alleged FAA intervention to material shortages. However, official statements from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 8 and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aim to set the record straight and provide a clear timeline for a resolution.
Rumors have circulated widely, suggesting that the delay in restoring a traffic signal was due to the FAA's approval process, citing alleged conflicts with approach patterns for the Somerset Regional Airport. Another popular claim suggested a shortage of materials, despite the relatively quick repair of other traffic lights in the area, such as the one at Parker Mill Road and US Highway 27, following a recent tornado.
his critical Pulaski County intersection.
Intersection of Parkers Mill Road and US 27. Image courtesy of WLEX.(C) 2025. All rights reserved.
Side note, the traffic light at the intersection of Parker Mill Road and US 27, much more in line with the Somerset-Pulaski Co Regional Airport, was reinstalled expeditiously. There was no indication that any consultation or intervention by the FAA occurred in this traffic light before the reactivation of the traffic light. The traffic light was damaged by a tornado in the area on May 16, 2025. The light was replaced by August 14, 2025, according to the KYTC District 8. These two traffic control light were replaced after the damage in May 2025
• Signal 22 – KY 1642 (Parkers Mill Rd.)
• Signal 23 – Somerset Mall entrance
The question remains: In May 2024, a traffic accident damaged the traffic signal pole at the intersection of KY 914 and Slate Branch Road. Fifteen months later, this has still not been repaired or the traffic light replaced? Are they waiting for Horse Soldier Bourbon to get built and put the light at the entrance for them? Several residents of the area are adamant that it is the real reason. However, there is no verifiable evidence to support any such claim.
However, inquiries to both state and federal agencies reveal these claims to be unfounded. A Public Information Officer from the FAA confirmed that there are "no pending actions regarding this location" and that the issue has "never been an FAA issue" based on their records. The FAA Website lists all such problems. This is referred to as
Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) on their website. The link can be found here. This directly refutes the notion of airport flight path interference.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 8, through its Public Relations Officer, has provided a comprehensive update on the situation, addressing the community's questions directly:
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Current Operational Status: The intersection is currently operating without a traffic signal. The previous signal system sustained irreparable damage in a crash in May 2024, leading KYTC to remove it and redirect traffic for safety. More details were previously made available via a KYTC bulletin.
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Malfunctions, Adjustments, or Timing Changes: Since the removal of the signal, there have been no reported malfunctions or timing adjustments, as no active signal is in place at the intersection. This clarifies why residents haven't seen any signs of repair work on a non-existent signal.
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Engineering Assessments / Studies: KYTC confirms that engineering reviews and safety evaluations have been conducted at this intersection within the past 12 months. These assessments are crucial for determining the most effective long-term solution for traffic flow and safety.
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Recent or Planned Modifications: A significant update for residents is that a Highway Safety Improvement Project has been designed for this location. The project is currently scheduled to be "let to contract" this month, August 2025. Once the contract is awarded, KYTC will provide additional details regarding the construction timeline and the anticipated benefits to safety and traffic flow.
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Public Safety Advisories: Until the planned improvements are complete, motorists are urged to exercise caution and strictly follow existing traffic controls while navigating the intersection.
In summary, the truth behind the traffic signal delay at KY HWY 914 and Slate Branch Road is not a complex web of federal aviation regulations or material shortages. Instead, it stems from irreparable damage sustained in a crash last year, followed by a standard, albeit sometimes lengthy, process of engineering, project design, and contract bidding by KYTC.
Residents can expect that the intersection will indeed have a new traffic control device installed. KYTC District 8 is currently awaiting contract approval, which is expected to be finalized by the end of August 2025, after which the bid process will commence. Typically, a bid is awarded within 30 days of this stage, paving the way for construction to begin on the much-needed safety improvements. Some residents of the area claim that the delay is tied to the construction of Horse Soldier Bourbon in the area. We reached out to the Distillery and haven't gotten a response as of press time. We will update accordingly upon receiving their response.
Until then, motorists are reminded that patience and adherence to current traffic signage are paramount for everyone's safety.
SAPA would like to thank Amber Hale, Information Officer, District 8 - Somerset, Kentucky Department of Transportation Cabinet, and Brittany Trotter of the FAA for their continuation to this article.
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(C) 2025 Somerset-Pulaski Advocate. All Rights Reserved
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They have 5 days left to award the contract. I still can’t believe the damage was irreparable . I’d like to know what was non-repairable for 15 months! Tornado versus car accident? Nah. It has to do with Horse Soldier.