Wayne Awaits Decision on Preston-Watterson Ramp

A federal decision to close the ramp from Preston Highway to the eastbound lanes of the Watterson Expressway has local elected officials scrambling to get the decree reversed.The Federal Highway Administration recorded 107 accidents in a three-year period on that ramp, though they aren’t specific about the severity of those accidents.State Representative Jim Wayne says if the ramp is closed, the change would negatively affect the commute of hundreds of motorists each day.“It means the people will have to go south on Preston to Grade Lane, which is about seven-tenths of a mile, then they will have to access I-65 going north to the Watterson," says Wayne, "then they will access a ramp going east onto the Watterson.”Wayne says the change would affect traffic from Male High School, some trade schools, and the Gheens Center.They’re hoping for a decision this week from Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock.