Owensboroans Share the Intersections They Avoid Like the Plague

Do you have unorthodox ways of getting to certain locations in Owensboro JUST to avoid certain traffic situations?

I can tell you that I do. I cannot stand Highway 54, so I have ways to get to businesses out there that keep me from dealing with it. And it doesn't matter which side of 54 I need. I will find a way to get where I'm going without touching it. Well...I might CROSS it at an intersection, but that's about it.

And that brings me to the task at hand...intersections--those pesky necessities in life that we have to face if we want to successfully navigate our day. Or DO we have to face them? If you're like me with my Highway 54 issues, you've already figured out how to avoid intimidating intersections that tie up your day or increase your anxiety, or both.

I did a little crowd-sourcing and learned of Owensboro and Daviess County intersections that residents go out of their way to avoid. And while I am unable to avoid some of them, I agree with the sentiments about all of them.

HIGHWAY 54 & STONEGATE

"Hwy 54 at Stonegate during Christmas decorations." - Jack Midkiff

I agree 100%. And you have to specify with this one because outside of the holiday season, it's not really an issue at all. But seeing as how it really is the main and most logical "gateway" to Whitesville and beyond, a lot of folks have to bite the bullet and deal with it, anyway.

HIGHWAY 56 & HIGHWAY 81

"Not an intersection, but the roundabout on Hwy 81! I turn down by Golfland to avoid it." - Charlene Brown

I disagree with Charlene. I DO consider the 56/81 roundabout an intersection, and I avoid them if possible, as well--and not just in Owensboro. While folks around here may not enjoy it, the one in Bowling Green near Western Kentucky University's campus is much worse, in my opinion.

24TH STREET/BOOTH AVENUE & FREDERICA STREET

In my opinion, this isn't a terrible intersection in the same way OTHER intersections are terrible. But it does belong on this list because of HOW LONG you have to sit there if you're on Booth Avenue. There's a way to trip the light if you come from the 24th Street side, but it doesn't always work. So there you sit.

HIGHWAY 54 & U.S. 60

"Hwy 54 turning east on 60." - Tim Hayden

I had to think about this one a minute, but Tim's talking about the intersection on the east side of the bypass. And yes, that is tricky because of how busy it always is. Also, I've noticed how I often overshoot the ramp onto the 60 bypass.

PARRISH AVENUE & FREDERICA STREET

This bad boy was bound to pop up. Exactly how many settings does the light at this intersection have out of necessity? Could it be eight in order to account for left turns from all directions? Regardless, this one might be the entire city's least favorite.

HIGHWAY 54 & FAIRVIEW DRIVE

When Highway 54 immediately east of the Owensboro bypass grew up, seemingly, right before our eyes, this intersection quickly became one of the city's busiest. Fairview connects a LOT of folks who live in southern and southeastern Daviess County to all the shops, stores, and businesses on 54. I use it a lot and, yes, it's not fun...mainly because of how long you have to sit there until it's your turn.

OLD HARTFORD ROAD & FAIRVIEW DRIVE

This one is also a big part of my life. But soon, improvements will begin on what I consider to be a very tight intersection--too tight for as much traffic as it gets. Yes, help is on the way in the form of a roundabout. EA Partners PLC provided the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet with an urban intersection design for that roundabout, and here's what they've come up with:

HIGHWAY 298 & HIGHWAY 231

I deal with this one every single day, but it's a lot sketchier if you're coming from Hwy 298. And that's because of what I call an optical illusion. If you're on 298 (Old Hartford Road) and want to turn left onto 231, the traffic beyond the bridge that's right there seems to be farther away than it is. Plus, if a motorist has their headlights off, even if it's not that dark, it's difficult to see them through that slotted concrete bridge abutment.

FREDERICA STREET & TAMARACK ROAD

"Frederica & Tamarack...longest light anywhere!!!" - Katherine Grochowski

This intersection DOES feature a long light, and I rarely use it. But when there might be even a LITTLE ice involved, I really won't go anywhere near it. I don't know how many times I've slid down that incline while stopped at a red light. So yeah, I avoid it at all costs during winter weather.

I'm sure there are others, but those look like the big ones I was already thinking about, as well.

Safe travels, and good for you for coming up with alternatives to these mini-nightmares.