Lexington Sewer Project to Impact Tates Creek Road for 18 Months

Crews will work to upgrade the city's sanitary sewer system and reduce overflows as part of a federal consent decree.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:04am

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A sanitary sewer construction project is set to begin in April along Tates Creek Road near the Gainesway area in Lexington, Kentucky, with crews expected to work for approximately 18 months. The project is part of a federal consent decree signed by the city requiring Lexington to upgrade its sanitary sewer system and reduce sanitary sewer overflows by the end of 2030.

Why it matters

The project is necessary to bring Lexington's non-compliant sanitary sewer system into compliance after the city was sued by the U.S. EPA. Reducing sewer overflows is critical for public health and the environment in the Tates Creek Road area.

The details

During construction, one lane of Tates Creek Road will be closed - either inbound or outbound - throughout the 18-month project. The Division of Water Quality says a manhole near Kirklevington has overflowed 69 times since 2013, necessitating the upgrades to eliminate those overflows.

  • The sewer construction project is set to begin in April 2026.
  • The project is expected to last approximately 18 months.
  • All projects under the federal consent decree must be completed by December 31, 2030.

The players

Charles Martin

Director of Lexington's Division of Water Quality, who outlined the project details at a public meeting.

Julian Campbell

Acting interim neighborhood president who lives near the project area and expressed initial concerns about the disruption, but also saw a 'bright side' in being able to salvage some plants in his backyard.

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What they’re saying

“That's why we are doing this — is to try to make those overflows go away.”

— Charles Martin, Director, Lexington Division of Water Quality

“We were sued by U.S. EPA, and part of our settlement is to construct projects that eliminate those overflows. This is one of them.”

— Charles Martin, Director, Lexington Division of Water Quality

“We just ask people to be patient and understand that there is a reason for it and that there is an end game — that things will get put back together.”

— Charles Martin, Director, Lexington Division of Water Quality

“Crisis. Depression. Disaster. But there is a bright side too.”

— Julian Campbell, Acting Interim Neighborhood President

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This project highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in upgrading aging infrastructure to meet environmental regulations, while balancing the disruption to local residents. The Tates Creek Road project is a necessary step for Lexington to bring its sewer system into compliance and reduce public health and environmental risks from sewer overflows.