New Circle Road Lane Closures to Start Monday
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will close lanes and the inner loop overnight as part of the New Circle Road widening project.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Home Renovation
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Starting at 7 p.m. Monday, a single eastbound lane on the inner loop of New Circle Road before Leestown Road will close Monday through Wednesday, and the inner loop will close to all traffic nightly at 10 p.m. Lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
Why it matters
The overnight closures are needed for the New Circle Road widening project, and drivers in Lexington will need to plan alternate routes during the closure period. Detours will be in place through the closure dates.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's notice sets a 7 p.m. start for the eastbound lane closure and a 10 p.m. nightly closure of the full inner loop, with lanes reopening by 5 a.m. The notice does not address whether the schedule could shift if weather or construction conditions change.
The players
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
The state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure in Kentucky, which is directing the New Circle Road widening project and announced these closures.
The details
Drivers can detour using the Leestown Road exit and are advised to use Leestown Road, Citation Boulevard, and Georgetown Road to rejoin New Circle Road. The closures repeat on November 10 and 11, beginning at 7 p.m.
Timeline
Monday through Wednesday, week of November 8, 2026, at 7 p.m.: single eastbound lane closure begins on the inner loop
Nightly at 10 p.m.: inner loop closes to all traffic
Nightly at 5 a.m.: all lanes expected to reopen
November 10 and 11, 2026, at 7 p.m.: closures and detours repeat
2027: New Circle Road widening project expected to be completed
Home Front
The New Circle Road widening project is slated for completion in 2027, and these overnight lane closures are one step in that ongoing construction. Residents who commute on the loop should expect recurring detours until the work is finished.
Commuters on New Circle Road will face a single-lane closure and full inner loop closures each night, so drivers should plan detours via Leestown Road, Citation Boulevard, or Georgetown Road. Allow extra travel time during the closure hours, especially on the nights of November 10 and 11.
The takeaway
Plan ahead for overnight detours on New Circle Road through the widening project, which is expected to finish in 2027.
What happens next
Closures and detours repeat on November 10 and 11, 2026, beginning at 7 p.m.
Further reading
For more on local construction work, see Home Renovation coverage for Lexington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wkyt.
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