Western Kentucky Parkway
Encyclopedia
The 136.796 miles Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway is a controlled-access highway
running from Elizabethtown, Kentucky
to near Eddyville, Kentucky
. It intersects with Interstate 65
at its eastern terminus, and Interstate 24
at its western terminus. It is one of nine highways that are part of the Kentucky
parkway
system. The road was renamed for Wendell H. Ford
, a former Kentucky governor
and United States Senator, in 1998. Previously, it was simply the Western Kentucky Parkway, and often called the "WK Parkway" because of the abbreviation once used on its signs. The Western Kentucky Parkway carries the unsigned designation of Kentucky Route 9001 (WK 9001) for its entire length. The portion from I-24 to the Pennyrile Parkway also carries the signed designation of Interstate 69.
, Leitchfield
, Caneyville
, Beaver Dam
, Central City
, Madisonville
, Dawson Springs
, Princeton
and Eddyville. The toll plazas were, from west to east:
At exit 77 near Beaver Dam, the parkway intersects with the William H. Natcher Parkway
, which goes from Bowling Green
to Owensboro
. At exit 37 near Madisonville, the parkway intersects with the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway, which runs from Hopkinsville
to Henderson
.
A service area featuring a gas station and an Arby's
restaurant is located in the median, just west of the interchange with the Natcher Parkway. It is the only such service area in the entire Kentucky parkway system. (Two other service areas were once located on the old Kentucky Turnpike, a toll road from Louisville
to Elizabethtown that predated the parkway system and later became part of I-65; they were closed when toll collection ended and the turnpike was officially absorbed into the Interstate Highway system.)
to Princeton
. The bonds were issued in 1961 and construction wrapped up on the original 127.19 miles (204.7 km) in December 1963 at a cost of $108,548,062. In 1968, construction wrapped up on a 6.6 miles (10.6 km) extension of the Western Kentucky Parkway from Princeton
to Interstate 24
in Eddyville
coming in at a cost of $5,554,468. The extension was originally proposed to be 10.3 miles (16.6 km) but only 6.6 miles (10.6 km) were constructed, possibly due to a design realignment of Interstate 24
near Eddyville
.
The parkway was originally a toll road
, as were all Kentucky parkways. State law requires that toll collection ceases when enough tolls are collected to pay off the parkway's construction bonds; that occurred in 1987. It is constructed similar to the Interstate Highway system, though sections do not measure up to current Interstate standards.
became part of Future Interstate 69
; crews installed "Future I-69 Corridor" signs along this segment during the last week of May 2006.
From the Edward T. Breathitt Parkway in Madisonville to Interstate 24, the Western Kentucky Parkway officially became part of Interstate 69
with the signing of federal highway legislation (see below) on June 6, 2008. To reflect this decision, Kentucky transportation officials have erected "Future I-69" signs between I-24 and the Breathitt Parkway. Because Kentucky is using an existing expressway for I-69, highway officials avoided years of costly environmental studies required by other states because the upgrades are being performed within the footprint of the existing highway.
On May 2, 2008 the House of Representatives passed HR-1195 (SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008) which designates the Breathitt Parkway from Henderson to Madisonville, and the Western Kentucky Parkway from Madisonville to I-24 at Eddyville as I-69. It further designates the Audubon Parkway
as a future spur (I-X69) of I-69 once necessary upgrades are completed. President Bush signed the bill on June 6, 2008.
In September 2011, Governor Steve Beshear
announced an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), officially designating this section as I-69, effective September 30, 2011. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled I-69 signs along the route on October 25, 2011.
.
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
running from Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
to near Eddyville, Kentucky
Eddyville, Kentucky
Eddyville is a city in Lyon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lyon County . The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located in Eddyville.-History:...
. It intersects with Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
at its eastern terminus, and Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
at its western terminus. It is one of nine highways that are part of the Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
parkway
Parkway
The term parkway has several distinct principal meanings and numerous synonyms around the world, for either a type of landscaped area or a type of road.Type of landscaped area:...
system. The road was renamed for Wendell H. Ford
Wendell H. Ford
Wendell Hampton Ford is a retired politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. He served for twenty-four years in the U.S. Senate and was the 53rd Governor of Kentucky. He was the first person to be successively elected lieutenant governor, governor, and U.S. senator in Kentucky history...
, a former Kentucky governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and United States Senator, in 1998. Previously, it was simply the Western Kentucky Parkway, and often called the "WK Parkway" because of the abbreviation once used on its signs. The Western Kentucky Parkway carries the unsigned designation of Kentucky Route 9001 (WK 9001) for its entire length. The portion from I-24 to the Pennyrile Parkway also carries the signed designation of Interstate 69.
Route description
The parkway passes the cities of ClarksonClarkson, Kentucky
Clarkson is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census. Once called Grayson Springs after a nearby resort, the name was changed in 1882 to honor the resort's owner, Manoah Clarkson. It is known for its Honeyfest and is home to the The Walter T...
, Leitchfield
Leitchfield, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,139 people, 2,485 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 1.56% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18%...
, Caneyville
Caneyville, Kentucky
Caneyville is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated in 1880 and named for its location on Caney Creek.-Geography:Caneyville is located at ....
, Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam, Kentucky
Beaver Dam is a city in Ohio County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 3,033 at the 2000 census. It is named for nearby Beaver Dam Creek.-Geography:Beaver Dam is located at ....
, Central City
Central City, Kentucky
Central City is a city in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 5,893 at the 2000 census. It is also the largest city in the county and the principal community in the Central City Micropolitan Statistical Area which includes all of Muhlenberg County and the communities...
, Madisonville
Madisonville, Kentucky
Madisonville is a city in Hopkins County, Kentucky, United States of the Western Coal Field region, located along US 41 and The Pennyrile Parkway. The population was 19,307 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hopkins County. The city was named in honor of U.S...
, Dawson Springs
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Dawson Springs is a city in Caldwell and Hopkins counties in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace of current governor of Kentucky, Steve L. Beshear. From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Dawson Springs was well known as a spa and resort town...
, Princeton
Princeton, Kentucky
Princeton is a city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,329 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Caldwell County.-History:...
and Eddyville. The toll plazas were, from west to east:
- Mile 10, just west of Princeton
- Exit 24, Dawson Springs
- Exit 58, Central City
- Exit 94, Caneyville (toll paid only by traffic exiting eastbound and entering westbound)
- Exit 107, Leitchfield
At exit 77 near Beaver Dam, the parkway intersects with the William H. Natcher Parkway
William H. Natcher Parkway
The Wiliam H. Natcher Green River Parkway is a limited-access freeway from Bowling Green, Kentucky to Owensboro, Kentucky. The Natcher is one of nine highways that are part of Kentucky's parkway system. Conceived as the "Owensboro-Bowling Green Parkway," it was instead named the Green River...
, which goes from Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
to Owensboro
Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro is the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the county seat of Daviess County. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about southeast of Evansville, Indiana, and is the principal city of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's...
. At exit 37 near Madisonville, the parkway intersects with the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway, which runs from Hopkinsville
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
to Henderson
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
.
A service area featuring a gas station and an Arby's
Arby's
Arby's is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada. Roark Capital Group owns 81.5% of the company, with Wendy's Company owning the other 18.5%. It is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The Arby's menu also includes chicken sandwiches, appetizers,...
restaurant is located in the median, just west of the interchange with the Natcher Parkway. It is the only such service area in the entire Kentucky parkway system. (Two other service areas were once located on the old Kentucky Turnpike, a toll road from Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
to Elizabethtown that predated the parkway system and later became part of I-65; they were closed when toll collection ended and the turnpike was officially absorbed into the Interstate Highway system.)
History
The original segment of the parkway was envisioned as a 127 miles (204.4 km) toll road extending from ElizabethtownElizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
to Princeton
Princeton, Kentucky
Princeton is a city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,329 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Caldwell County.-History:...
. The bonds were issued in 1961 and construction wrapped up on the original 127.19 miles (204.7 km) in December 1963 at a cost of $108,548,062. In 1968, construction wrapped up on a 6.6 miles (10.6 km) extension of the Western Kentucky Parkway from Princeton
Princeton, Kentucky
Princeton is a city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,329 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Caldwell County.-History:...
to Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
in Eddyville
Eddyville, Kentucky
Eddyville is a city in Lyon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lyon County . The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located in Eddyville.-History:...
coming in at a cost of $5,554,468. The extension was originally proposed to be 10.3 miles (16.6 km) but only 6.6 miles (10.6 km) were constructed, possibly due to a design realignment of Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
near Eddyville
Eddyville, Kentucky
Eddyville is a city in Lyon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lyon County . The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located in Eddyville.-History:...
.
The parkway was originally a toll road
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
, as were all Kentucky parkways. State law requires that toll collection ceases when enough tolls are collected to pay off the parkway's construction bonds; that occurred in 1987. It is constructed similar to the Interstate Highway system, though sections do not measure up to current Interstate standards.
Interstate 69
On May 15, 2006, the section between the Breathitt (Pennyrile) Parkway at Madisonville and Interstate 24Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
became part of Future Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
; crews installed "Future I-69 Corridor" signs along this segment during the last week of May 2006.
From the Edward T. Breathitt Parkway in Madisonville to Interstate 24, the Western Kentucky Parkway officially became part of Interstate 69
Interstate 69 in Kentucky
Interstate 69 is a freeway that overlaps Interstate 24 from Calvert City to Eddyville, and the Western Kentucky Parkway from Eddyville to the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway at Madisonville. Eventually, I-69 will pass through the western part of the U.S. state of Kentucky...
with the signing of federal highway legislation (see below) on June 6, 2008. To reflect this decision, Kentucky transportation officials have erected "Future I-69" signs between I-24 and the Breathitt Parkway. Because Kentucky is using an existing expressway for I-69, highway officials avoided years of costly environmental studies required by other states because the upgrades are being performed within the footprint of the existing highway.
On May 2, 2008 the House of Representatives passed HR-1195 (SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008) which designates the Breathitt Parkway from Henderson to Madisonville, and the Western Kentucky Parkway from Madisonville to I-24 at Eddyville as I-69. It further designates the Audubon Parkway
Audubon Parkway
The Audubon Parkway is a four-lane controlled-access freeway connecting the cities of Henderson and Owensboro, Kentucky....
as a future spur (I-X69) of I-69 once necessary upgrades are completed. President Bush signed the bill on June 6, 2008.
In September 2011, Governor Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
announced an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), officially designating this section as I-69, effective September 30, 2011. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled I-69 signs along the route on October 25, 2011.
Future Interstate 66
The section of the parkway between the Natcher Parkway interchange to the western terminus is slated to become part of the proposed extension of Interstate 66Interstate 66 (west)
The U.S. Department of Transportation had plans to extend Interstate 66 westward across the country to California. However, Interstate 66 west of Wichita, Kansas, has been postponed, with the Nevada and California sections cancelled...
.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 I-69 Overlap |
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| Lyon Lyon County, Kentucky Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 8,080. Its county seat is Eddyville. Created from Caldwell County, Kentucky in 1854, the county was named for former Congressman Chittenden Lyon.... |
Eddyville Eddyville, Kentucky Eddyville is a city in Lyon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lyon County . The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located in Eddyville.-History:... |
0.000 | 1 | , Nashville | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; signed as exits 1A (east) and 1B (west) |
| 3.702 | 4 | ||||
| Caldwell Caldwell County, Kentucky As of the census of 2010, there were 12,984 people, with 6,292 households in the county.-Communities:*Bakers*Baldwin Ford*Black Hawk*The Bluff*Cedar Bluff*Claxton*Cobb*Cresswell*Crider*Crowtown*Enon*Farmersville*Flat Rock*Friendship*Fryer... |
Princeton Princeton, Kentucky Princeton is a city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,329 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Caldwell County.-History:... |
11.700 | 12 | Serves Lake Barkley State Resort Park Lake Barkley State Resort Park Lake Barkley State Resort Park is a park located on the eastern shore of Lake Barkley just west of Cadiz, Kentucky in Trigg County. The park encompasses , and is one of three Kentucky parks located on Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre isthmus between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.-References:... |
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| 13.116 | 13 | ||||
| Hopkins Hopkins County, Kentucky Hopkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1807. As of 2000, the population was 46,519. Its county seat is Madisonville. The county is named for General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and later a Kentucky legislator... |
Dawson Springs Dawson Springs, Kentucky Dawson Springs is a city in Caldwell and Hopkins counties in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace of current governor of Kentucky, Steve L. Beshear. From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Dawson Springs was well known as a spa and resort town... |
24.435 | 24 | Serves Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is a park located near Dawson Springs, Kentucky in Hopkins County. The park encompasses , and takes its name from a colloquial form of the word pennyroyal, a small flowering plant native to the area.... |
|
| Nortonville Nortonville, Kentucky Nortonville is a city in Hopkins County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nortonville is located at .... |
38.311 | 38 | Signed as exits 38A (south) and 38B (north) | ||
| I-69 Overlap |
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| Muhlenberg Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Muhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville.... |
48.049 | 48 | |||
| Powderly Powderly, Kentucky Powderly is a city in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 846 at the 2000 census. The city is named for Terence Powderly, who opened a coal mine there in 1887.-Geography:Powderly is located at .... |
52.518 | 53 | Serves Lake Malone State Park Lake Malone State Park Lake Malone State Park is a park located near Dunmor, Kentucky, in Muhlenberg County and extending into parts of Logan County and Todd County. The park features campsites, picnic areas, a swimming area, a boat ramp, and a dock. The Laurel Trail leads through a hardwood forest filled with ... |
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| Central City Central City, Kentucky Central City is a city in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 5,893 at the 2000 census. It is also the largest city in the county and the principal community in the Central City Micropolitan Statistical Area which includes all of Muhlenberg County and the communities... |
57.947 | 58 | Serves Lake Malone State Park Lake Malone State Park Lake Malone State Park is a park located near Dunmor, Kentucky, in Muhlenberg County and extending into parts of Logan County and Todd County. The park features campsites, picnic areas, a swimming area, a boat ramp, and a dock. The Laurel Trail leads through a hardwood forest filled with ... |
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| Ohio Ohio County, Kentucky Ohio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or... |
Beaver Dam Beaver Dam, Kentucky Beaver Dam is a city in Ohio County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 3,033 at the 2000 census. It is named for nearby Beaver Dam Creek.-Geography:Beaver Dam is located at .... |
74.564 | 75 | ||
| 76.757 | 77 | Signed as exits 77A (south) and 77B (north) | |||
| Grayson Grayson County, Kentucky Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810. As of 2000, the population was 24,053. Its county seat is Leitchfield. The county is named for William Grayson , a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure... |
Caneyville Caneyville, Kentucky Caneyville is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated in 1880 and named for its location on Caney Creek.-Geography:Caneyville is located at .... |
94.225 | 94 | Serves Rough River Dam State Resort Park Rough River Dam State Resort Park Rough River Dam State Resort Park is a park located in parts of Breckinridge, Hardin, and Grayson counties in Kentucky. The park encompasses . Rough River Dam, stretching across and high, creates Rough River Lake, a recreational lake of approximately... |
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| Leitchfield Leitchfield, Kentucky As of the census of 2000, there were 6,139 people, 2,485 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 1.56% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18%... |
106.965 | 107 | |||
| Clarkson Clarkson, Kentucky Clarkson is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census. Once called Grayson Springs after a nearby resort, the name was changed in 1882 to honor the resort's owner, Manoah Clarkson. It is known for its Honeyfest and is home to the The Walter T... |
111.875 | 112 | |||
| Hardin Hardin County, Kentucky As of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of... |
123.474 | 124 | |||
| Elizabethtown Elizabethtown, Kentucky Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state... |
135.816 | 136 | West end of US 31W Byp. overlap | ||
| 136.545 | 137 | - Nashville, Lexington, Louisville Louisville, Kentucky Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096... |
Signed as exits 137A (south) and 137B (north) | ||
| 136.796 | East end of US 31W Byp. overlap; at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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