A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans milling and paving along a section of U.S. 431/Dunmor-Belton Road in southern Muhlenberg County starting Tuesday, June 9. The paving project runs from the Muhlenberg-Logan County line at mile point 0.0 extending northward to 0.144 miles north of Old U.S. 431, a distance of about 4.6 miles. Work along U.S. 431 in this area includes smoothing some bridge end connections. The contractor plans milling along this section starting Tuesday with asphalt paving to follow starting on Thursday. Asphalt paving is expected to take about a week to complete, weather permitting. Road Builders, LLC, of Greenville is the prime contractor on the $707,608 highway improvement project. Last fall, transportation engineers developed a plan to address two curves within the project area just south of Hudson Lane that were the site of several crashes in October and November. At that time, KYTC District 2 Chief District Engineer Kevin McClearn announced temporary pavement would be placed on the curves to help improve traction through the winter months until the entire area could be paved during this construction season. Traffic engineers noticed an elevated crash rate in the area in late 2012 and conducted a review. That safety study prompted installation of larger signs with some additional signage added to alert drivers on the curve approaches. That effort reduced the crash rate, but a follow up review indicated additional steps were warranted. Last fall, traffic crews doubled and enlarged the curve warning signs and sign posts were reflectorized to make them more visible at night. Traffic engineers also asked area police agencies to step up patrols to reduce speeding in the area. Several “slippery when wet” signs were also added in an effort to get drivers to slow down when rain is falling. Traffic engineers noted that about 20 percent of crashes statewide occur when pavement is wet.