The countdown is winding down until a temporary closure of Louisville Interstate-65 begins and about 125,000 citizens seek alternate routes in the meantime.
On Monday, June 1 to Friday, July 31, a five-mile stretch will be shut down as crews replace three key bridges between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street). These replacements are for the Kentucky Street/Brook Street overpasses, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue overpasses, and the Bradley Avenue overpass. Originally, they were built in the 1950s and they have now reached the conclusion of their structural service life.
Since this past September, crews have already been assembling the substructures in advance of the interstate closure, which brings the overall project to more than 95% completed.
Now, they need to close the interstate in order to tear off the top of the bridges and begin the rebuilding process. Once this two-period happens, the work will be accelerated and have an additional year of restrictions and continuing closures taken off.
By Wednesday, July 1, a two-mile stretch of southbound I-65, which is from University Boulevard to the Watterson, is expected to reopen to regular traffic flow. This will also result in the reopening phase of four ramps: Crittenden Drive on and off ramps and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and the University Boulevard to southbound I-65.
Serving as the primary interstate route to campus, the University of Louisville has been preparing for the projects’ impacts. They will continue all operations as normal, but challenges are expected as everyone begins to adjust to the temporary changes.
Over this summer, they will expect approximately 5,000 people coming to campus for freshman orientation. It is recommended that students and families allow at least 45 minutes of travel time to reduce the traffic stress.
By Saturday, August 1, project leaders expect two traffic lanes in each direction open back up, however there is still work that is due to be completed next to the interstate through March 2027.
In addition to the current project, six additional bridges will be replaced or renovated along I-65, including the ones over Liberty Street, Floyd Street, Chestnut Street, Jacob Street/Broadway/Gray Street, Muhammad Ali Boulevard/Brook Street, and the Muhammad Ali Boulevard on-ramp. The schedule for these improvements are in the process of officially being finalized.
For more updates on the project, visit the I-65 Central Corridor website, where users can sign up for emails or text alerts.
