Wilson Downing Drive to Close for Lexington Road Project, Replacing a Four-Way Stop With Mini Roundabout

LEXINGTON, Ky. A major construction project set to begin Monday will close Wilson Downing Drive to through traffic between Tates Creek Road and Camelot Drive, redirecting drivers away from a neighborhood cut-through that local officials say is among the busiest in the area. The change is expected to affect daily travel patterns for residents and commuters using the corridor to avoid larger arterials.

The project also includes what WKYT described as a first for Lexington: a mini roundabout installed in a residential area. Crews will create the roundabout by converting an existing four-way stop at the intersection of Belleau Wood and Walden drives.

According to the reporting, the mini roundabout design will include crosswalks and small raised refuge islands. The intent is to allow pedestrians to cross one lane of traffic at a time rather than multiple lanes without interruption, while also separating turning movements from through movements within the intersection.

WKYT reported that the mini roundabout will operate without traffic indicates or stop signs. That means drivers will rely on the roundabout geometry and yielding rules rather than report phases or sign-controlled stops when approaching and entering the intersection.

To make room for the new roundabout, the entrance to Pebble Creek Drive from Belleau Wood will be permanently closed, the report said. The closure is part of the intersection redesign and is expected to change local access routes for residents using that connection.

The work is also timed with an earlier start at an adjacent access point. Crews began construction on an entrance from Pebble Creek to Wilson Downing on June 18, according to WKYT, indicating the project is being staged to limit disruptions and set up the changes needed for the Monday closure.

Residents and travelers seeking alternatives are expected to rely on nearby roadways while the through-traffic closure is in effect. The affected area is limited to the segment between Tates Creek Road and Camelot Drive, but the intersection changes at Belleau Wood and Walden drives and the permanent closure of the Pebble Creek Drive entrance from Belleau Wood are likely to affect local turning patterns even for drivers who are not using Wilson Downing as a through route.

City and project communications described the construction as a major neighborhood transportation improvement, and additional details about the schedule beyond the start date were not included in the initial reporting. Drivers are advised to follow posted signage and detour instructions when traveling in the vicinity during the work.