Interstate-65 in Louisville is now within a month of a planned temporary closure that will allow contract crews to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges in and around Kentucky’s largest city.
Five miles of I-65 are scheduled to close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) around 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 1. It is expected to reopen to traffic on Saturday, August 1.
“I-65 is a critical route for businesses, students, families and visitors traveling through Kentucky,” said Sen. Mike Nemes, R-Shepherdsville.
“These improvements are badly needed along this busy corridor,” he continued. “I want folks to know that while detours may be inconvenient in the short term, this work will make travel safer and less stressful in the long run.”
A two-mile section of southbound I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic by Wednesday, July 1 from University Boulevard to the Watterson Expressway (I-264). Reopening this section of roadway will reopen four ramps: Crittenden Drive on- and off- ramps and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and University Boulevard to southbound I-65.
During the closure, the I-65 bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue near the fairgrounds will be replaced. All three bridges were constructed in the late 1950s as part of the original construction of the interstate.
The old structures will be removed, and new bridges will be built in their place. Sidewalks will be reconstructed and improved, and modernized lighting will be installed under and adjacent to the new bridges.
Approximately 125,000 drivers rely on these bridges daily. The full interstate closure will greatly accelerate replacing the three bridges. The two-month closure will save more than a year of additional interstate restrictions. In addition to greatly shortening the construction timeline, the temporary closure is the most efficient construction and fiscal approach.
With the closure, crews are able to address three bridges more quickly. The closure also gives contract crews the room they need to work safely and efficiently in the area.
During the closure, through traffic will be detoured to I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) on the west side of Louisville. Detour routes were developed based on extensive traffic studies done over the past two years.
Project information and updates can be found at I65CentralCorridor.com.
(Photo: I-65 in Louisville, courtesy of I65CentralCorridor.com)
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
