Crews with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will soon begin treating for noxious and nuisance weeds throughout the state to help control their presence along state highways to improve driver safety and maintenance operations. Officials say property owners who are actively treating noxious weeds on private property may request highway crews to treat select nuisance weeds found on adjacent state-owned right of way.
According to state transportation officials, crews will target 11 noxious weeds: Johnson grass, giant foxtail, Canada thistle, nodding thistle, common teasel, multiflora rose, Amur honeysuckle, poison hemlock, marestail, Japanese knotweed and kudzu.
Transportation Secretary Jim Gray says weeds are more than a nuisance – they pose safety concerns. He adds that actively treating the weeds on state-maintained property enhances driver visibility near roadways, prevents damage to ditches and drains and minimizes the presence of plants that attract deer near highways.
Officials indicate noxious weeds often invade and destroy the roadside turf grass, leaving these areas vulnerable to erosion. They can also smother native plants through rapid reproduction and long-term persistence.
Kentuckians who want to request weed treatment must submit a written application to their local KYTC highway district office. To request an application, contact the appropriate district highway office.
Transportation officials remind motorists to use extra caution when crews spraying for weeds are out on the roadways beginning in April.
