The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways has announced the opening of the new Morganfield Bypass (KY 3393).

The new road, that spans the east side of Morganfield, will officially open next Monday, January 14, though a 'casual' opening is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, when barricades are taken down and signs are uncovered.

The new highway is a two-lane partially controlled access route that will be a major traffic carrier.

"We request that all motorists using this highway drive with caution, especially during the initial opening period," district highway engineer Ted Merryman said.

The are several intersections on the new bypass, and all are clearly marked with "stop" signs and several with both "stop" signs and intersection control beacons.

The bypass' intersection with US 60 West will have a traffic signal.

"Even though the new bypass will not be open to traffic until January 14, the "stop" signs will be uncovered today, Wednesday, and the intersection control beacons will also be in operation so the traveling public can adjust to the new conditions," Merryman noted.

Union County Judge Executive Larry Joe Jenkins told The Union Cony Advocate Monday night that while the official opening will come on the 14th, the road will unofficially be open to traffic today, Wednesday.

Jenkins said the Department of Highways has asked the state police, the Union County Sheriff's office and the Morganfield Police Department to patrol the road beginning today and make sure people are aware of the stop signs and the traffic signals.

Jenkins said he is not aware of any formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the road opening.

The state will also make use of "variable message boards" that will be placed at appropriate locations to further advise motorists of the new traffic conditions.

"We want to express our gratitude to everyone for their cooperation during the construction of this major facility," Merryman added.

Thru trucks will be required to use the bypass and if that happens it will take much of the truck traffic out of downtown Morganfield.

Those trucks often tie up traffic within the downtown area, especially at the US 60-KY 56 intersection at the Union County Courthouse.

The bypass begins at US 60 East of Morganfield and then crosses the Beaver Dam Road, KY 56 East, US 60 West, KY 130 and ends at KY 56 West.

Construction on the road was virtually complete by December 1, but delays in signage and getting electricity to the traffic signs at US 60 West, delayed the opening.

The state also did not want to open the bypass during the two-week Christmas-New Year holiday period.

The bypass has officially been named the "Sam M. McElroy Jr. Expressway."