The Gatton Park Public Access Improvements project was awarded a 2026 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Kentucky Engineering Excellence Grand Award.

This project improves access to Gatton Park and the Central Bank Center (CBC), home of Rupp Arena, while addressing safety concerns on West High Street, a key roadway in Lexington, Kentucky. Issues like excessive speeds and limited pedestrian infrastructure have led to serious crashes and safety challenges for residents and visitors.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government worked with Strand to address these challenges. The project reconstructed public right of way to improve access to Gatton Park and the CBC, implemented traffic-calming measures to address excessive speeds, and reconfigured Manchester Street – another major throughfare around the CBC – to include on-street parking and mini-roundabouts. A three-tiered solution provided improved safety for vehicles and pedestrians, as well as pedestrian access to Gatton Park, via a bridge and underpass.

To reduce crashes, the project introduced vertical deflections, including speed humps and raised crossings, marking the first use of these measures on an arterial roadway in Kentucky. These improvements led to a 97% reduction in daily instances of vehicles exceeding 40 mph.

The success of the Gatton Park Public Access Improvements project sets a precedent for future traffic-calming efforts across Lexington and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and stands as a significant advancement in roadway safety, accessibility, and community connectivity.