Crews will begin work on Monday, October 25, to close the road that runs between the Kentucky Capitol and Capitol Annex. In September, Governor Andy Beshear announced a decision to follow a long-time security recommendation and close the road to vehicle traffic.
Legislative Research Commission Director Jay Hartz announced in an email that crews would install bollards at the east and west ends of the portion of Capital Avenue that runs between Executive Branch and Legislative Branch offices. Fire and police officials will have the ability to remove the bollards in case of an emergency.
The remainder of Capital Avenue will remain open, and signs will reroute traffic behind the Annex building. The parking lot to the east of the Annex will remain accessible by entering the lower level of the parking garage or driving behind the Annex.
Hartz wrote that the current Fiscal Year budget includes $343,000 to strengthen security on the Capitol campus. The state will use a portion of that allocation to cover the cost of the bollard installation.