Boone Avenue: Making It Safer for Everyone
The City of Winchester was selected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to participate in Smart Growth America’s Complete Streets Leadership Academy — a national program that helps cities create safer, more connected streets. As part of this opportunity, a team of City staff and community volunteers has been learning from national experts and peer communities to bring new ideas home to Winchester.
We’re also excited to share that Winchester received a $20,000 grant through this program to support a quick-build demonstration project on a state roadway, and Boone Avenue has been selected.
Boone Avenue is a busy state road that many people walk, bike and drive on every day — but we know it doesn’t always feel safe. This project will quickly install temporary street improvements to test out new designs that improve safety and comfort for everyone.
Learn more about the Complete Streets Leadership Academy
Why We’re Trying a Quick-Build Project
We’re excited to try a quick-build approach because it allows us to take action quickly, test new ideas and learn alongside the community. These low-cost, flexible projects use proven tools to improve safety — without waiting years or spending a lot of money.
With this project, we can:
- Improve safety on Boone Avenue right away
- Test new street designs before making permanent changes
- Work closely with residents, City staff and state partners
- Gather real-world feedback on what works — and what doesn’t
- Build momentum and support for lasting improvements on our state roads
This is a hands-on way to show Winchester is committed to safety, innovation and community-driven solutions. We’re especially proud to be working closely with KYTC on this effort, strengthening local and state partnerships that can lead to long-term change.
FAQs
What is a "quick-build" project?
A quick-build project is a low-cost, temporary way to test changes on a street using things like paint, signs, and flexible posts. It helps us try out safety improvements before making more permanent, expensive upgrades.
Why was Boone Avenue chosen?
Boone Avenue is a state road where many people walk, bike, and drive—but it doesn’t always feel safe. It connects neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, making it a key street for all types of travel. The roadway is also extremely wide, which gives us ample space to test out quick-build safety improvements without removing access for drivers. This project is a chance to try out changes that could make the street safer and more comfortable for everyone.
What kinds of changes will we see?
You may see things like new crosswalk markings, curb extensions, signage, or other features that help slow down traffic and make it safer and easier for people to cross the street or bike. These improvements are especially aimed at protecting kids walking or biking to school, the library, nearby parks, or home.
Boone Avenue runs through a neighborhood, and we want it to feel and function like one—not a highway. All changes will be temporary and designed for testing and feedback, so we can learn what works best for our community.
Will this cause traffic delays?
The goal is to improve safety without causing major delays. Some changes may slightly adjust traffic flow or reduce lane widths to slow speeds, but the road will remain open to drivers throughout the project.
How long will the demonstration project last?
The quick-build improvements will be installed this summer and will likely remain in place for several months. During this time, we’ll collect feedback and data to help decide what changes should be made permanent in the future.
How can I get involved or give feedback?
We want to hear from everyone who uses Boone Avenue! Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey, and check back here for updates and future public events. During the pilot project’s installation, we’ll also provide additional opportunities for people to share their feedback in real time. Input gathered during the project will help us understand what’s working and what needs improvement—and may lead to adjustments throughout the installation period to better meet community needs.
We want to hear from everyone who uses Boone Avenue! Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey, and check back here for updates.
