When the last of the Big Four projects begins next year, southbound traffic will take the hit first. Roadwork is planned on those lanes in 2000. Work in the northbound lanes is scheduled for 2001. The interstate was constructed in the 1960s and planners didn't design the highway for today's volume. The stretch just south of the Ohio River often sees more than the maximum.
Some drivers question if the improvements over the past decade are worth all the headaches.
But engineers and planners say the decade of work is making the interstate safer and will likely move traffic through the area a little faster. Curves and steep hills were unkind to a myriad of trucks over the years. Rigs dumped their loads or jackknifed, tying up traffic for hours. It's a major safety improvement and a little boost to the capacity. Another 300 to 400 cars per hour, per lane will probably get through the area with the improvements.