KY 451 to Close Near Town Mountain for Drainage Replacement Nov. 10–15
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will close KY 451 around the north side of Town Mountain 24/7 from Nov. 10–15 to replace a drainage structure, affecting roughly 1,700 vehicles that use the road daily. Motorists should plan to bypass the work zone via KY 15 and KY 80; portable message boards will mark the closure but no signed detour will be posted.
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has scheduled a full closure of KY 451 at milepoint 5.86 on the north side of Town Mountain for five days, beginning Nov. 10 and continuing around the clock through Nov. 15. The closure is required to allow crews to replace a drainage structure under the roadway, a project intended to protect the roadbed and reduce future flooding and maintenance needs.
The section of KY 451 affected carries an estimated 1,700 vehicles per day, according to KYTC traffic estimates. With the route closed 24 hours a day, residents, commuters, school transportation and local businesses that rely on the corridor should expect changes to morning and evening travel patterns and should plan accordingly for the upcoming work week.
No official signed detour will be posted for the KY 451 closure. Motorists are advised to bypass the closure by using KY 15 and KY 80 as alternate routes. Portable message boards will be placed in the area to warn drivers in advance of the closure and to guide traffic toward the suggested bypass routes. Drivers should follow the temporary signs and exercise increased caution around the work zone and along the alternate routes, which may see heavier traffic than usual during the closure period.
For Perry County residents, the closure highlights the practical impacts of routine infrastructure maintenance. The Town Mountain area provides connections for local commuting and commercial traffic; a multi-day shutdown even on a relatively short segment can add time and complexity to daily trips. Delivery schedules, appointment times and transit for students or people with medical needs may require adjustments. Those who rely on KY 451 for access to jobs, services or neighboring communities should allow extra travel time and consider leaving earlier than usual.
This temporary work also reflects broader challenges in maintaining rural transportation networks, where single drainage structures or short segments can have outsized effects on local mobility when repairs are needed. While the closure will be disruptive in the short term, the drainage replacement aims to improve reliability of the roadway and reduce the likelihood of unplanned closures caused by washouts or undermining during storms.
Motorists seeking more information can check KYTC updates and local traffic advisories in the days before the closure for any adjustments to the schedule or additional guidance.