KSP adjusting to changes on I-165

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – New signs, new exit numbers, and a new name – all components of the changeover from William H. Natcher Parkway to Interstate 165.

The new name has caused concern because of its similar name to Interstate 65 that runs North and South, but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says changing the parkway to I-165 was based on certain regulations.

“The interstate spurs, which is what I-165 is, is kind of the child of the parent interstate, which in this case is I-65,” said Wes Watt, Public Information Officer for District 3 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

With all these changes, Watt acknowledges that it will take time for drivers to become familiar with the new signage and names.

“Certainly there will be an adjustment period, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before,” he said. “Normally once people get accustomed to it and all the maps get changed and things like that, everything should be fine.”

Kentucky State Police and their dispatchers also have to adjust to these changes in order to avoid any potential issues that could arise.

“Our troopers and our dispatchers work together 40 hours per week,” said KSP Trooper Jeremy Hodges. “They know each other pretty well, so it’s nothing they can’t talk through, they can’t work through.”

One primary reason both troopers and dispatchers alike will be able to adapt to the new name change and signage has to do with something that wasn’t altered – the mile markers on I-165.

“The new Interstate 165 will have about 30 miles in our post area,” said Hodges. “Whereas I-65 we have about 74 miles of it in our area. Any calls we get that say they’re above the 30 mile marker, from the 30 to the 74, then we’ll immediately know that that’s Interstate 65.”

This change in signage and numbers has taken place in the past, too.

“There’s examples all over the country in every state almost,” Watt added. “This is nothing new. It’s nothing that folks haven’t dealt with before.”

That’s good news, because having dealt with something like this before, it makes it easier for troopers to avoid any confusion when responding to a call.

“The troopers in the area already know that they’re talking about the same parkway,” said Hodges.