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Interstate 264

[I-264]The Watterson Expressway began life as the US 60 By-pass around Louisville between Shelbyville Road and Dixie Highway. Construction began in 1948; the road was incorporated into the interstate highway system in 1956.

I-264 was eventually extended to Interstate 71 east of downtown Louisville, and to Interstate 64 west of downtown Louisville. The section between Dixie Highway (US 60/ US 31W) and Interstate 64 west of downtown is known as the Shawnee Expressway.

I-264 was completed in August 1974. Much of the route was rebuilt during the 1980s.

Trivia

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Related news topic: [Jefferson County]


I-264 News Items

[I-264]
Westport Road Interchange Should Open by May 1
Posted: 31-Mar-2010 8:10PM CDT

The new interchange between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and Westport Road (KY 1447) is on track to open by May 1: Louisville Courier-Journal: Westport Road interchange to open by May 1 (March 13, 2010) [Outside Link]

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[I-264]
Preston Highway ramp to I-264 closing uncertain
Posted: 5-Nov-2009 7:35AM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s plan to permanently close an entrance ramp from Preston Highway (KY 61) to the Watterson Expressway has been put on hold indefinitely: Louisville Courier-Journal: Preston Highway ramp to I-264 closing uncertain (Nov. 4, 2009) [Outside Link]

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[I-65]
Road projects take fill back to nature
Posted: 3-Nov-2009 9:33PM CST

The Courier-Journal reports that concrete and other material being removed from I-65 and I-264 Watterson Expressway projects in Jefferson County is being used in reclamation projects in area quarries. The material is unsuitable for direct recycling so it is being used as fill material: Louisville Courier-Journal: Road projects take fill back to nature; Material from I-264 and I-65 repairs going into Natural Products quarry (Oct. 31, 2009) [Outside Link]

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[I-65]
Beshear Highlights Louisville Highway Projects During Visit
Posted: 20-Sep-2009 8:06AM CDT

During a recent visit to Louisvlle, Gov. Steve Beshear updated the status of a number of road projects in the area. These include:

  • The construction of an interchange between KY 1447 Westport Road and I-264 Watterson Expressway.
  • Widening of I-64 from I-265 Gene Snyder Freeway to Exit 28 in Shelby County.
  • Median cable barrier installation along I-65.
  • Reconstruction of a ramp at the interchange between I-64 and I-264 Shawnee Expressway west of downtown.
  • Pavement repairs along various stretches of interstate.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Beshear recaps road projects in Louisville area; $200M in work started or planned (Sept. 18, 2009) [Outside Link]

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[KY 1447]
Part of Westport Road Widening Completed
Posted: 5-Feb-2006 2:24AM CST

Another phase of the Westport Road widening project in Jefferson County has been completed. The road has been widened to five lanes between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and Herr Lane. A new interchange with the Watterson Expressway during the next phases of the project: Courier-Journal: First part of Westport project completed; Road widening work was stalled for years (Nov. 17, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[KY 1447]
Westport Road Widening on Track
Posted: 30-Apr-2005 5:51AM CDT

WAVE 3 TV reports that the Westport Road widening project remains on schedule: WAVE 3: Westport Widening Project Still On Track Despite Storm Delays (April 4, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[KY 1447]
Westport Road Widening Project Will Include Landscaping
Posted: 1-Apr-2005 3:52AM CST

The Westport Road widening project will include the planting of shrubbery along the newly widened highway. Construction on the final phase of the project, an interchange with the Watterson Expressway (I-264), is expected to begin in June 2006.

More information: Courier-Journal: Widening Westport Road (March 30, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Western Kentucky Parkway]
Kentucky Continues to Dig Out from Last Week’s Winter Storm; Some Roads Refreeze Overnight
Posted: 27-Dec-2004 3:22AM CST

Higher temperatures during the day may have melted some of the ice and snow along Kentucky’s highways; however, falling temperatures during nights is causing some of it to refreeze. Refreezing made parts of the Western Kentucky Parkway and Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway impassible Christmas night: Associated Press: State asks drivers to avoid western Kentucky parkways (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Motorist should use caution traveling (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Current information regarding highway conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov [Outside Link].

On Christmas Day, snow and ice remained in the travel lanes of I-65 in several places. In the Louisville area, a number of abandoned vehicles remained along the shoulders and, in some cases, the travel lanes of I-65 and the Watterson Expressway. Secondary routes in both Warren and Jefferson County were still snow and ice covered; as were many of the ramps entering and leaving I-65.

Cleanup continued through Friday on I-24: Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of holiday snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: State making progress on western Kentucky roads (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Some still without power, roads cleared (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Maysville area recovered quickly from the storm: Maysville Ledger Independent: White Christmas more shiny than fluffy; road crews scramble (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link]

Several accidents were reported on I-71 near mile marker 58 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Cold keeps its hold on state (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Improving conditions allowed shoppers to return the stores on Christmas Eve in Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Shoppers are back on track; Improving road conditions send residents heading to stores (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Summary of snow response in Henderson County: The Henderson Gleaner: Most crews stay busy helping folks, clearing roadways (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Problems continued on I-64 and I-65 in Indiana through Friday: The Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Snow freezes region; state of emergency declared (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Some Roads Reopening After Record Snow (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press: A long stranded trip (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], New Albany (Ind.) Tribune: City struggles to keep streets clear as snow piles up (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Interstates reopen to travelers in Midwest (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Evansville Courier & Press: Snow gives travelers tales to tell (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Some Indiana highways remained slick but passable after snow (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Indiana highways slick but passable (Dec. 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Paducah area information: WPSD NewsChannel 6: UPDATE: Major Roads Now Open (Dec. 24, 2004) [Outside Link]

More information: Associated Press: Warmth aids road crews (Dec. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-264]
Shawnee Expressway Rehabilitation Project Complete
Posted: 6-Sep-2004 8:59PM CDT

Work to rehabilitate the Shawnee Exressway—I-264 between Dixie Highway and I-64 west of downtown Louisville—was symbolically completed at an August 11, 2004 ribbon cutting.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ribbon Cutting Marks End of Shawnee Expressway Project (August 11, 2004) [Outside Link], Shawnee Expressway Project: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (August 11, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[KY 1447]
Westport Road Project Underway
Posted: 26-May-2004 3:24AM CDT

The Courier-Journal reports that a ground breaking ceremony was to be held for Westport Road reconstruction project today. The project involves widening Westport Road (KY 1447) from Hubbards Lane to Hurstbourne Parkway in eastern Jefferson County and a construction of an interchange with the Watterson Expressway (I-264). Construction of the $46.1 million project is expected to take several years.

More information: Courier-Journal: Westport Road widening project to start today (May 25, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ground Breaking Held for Westport Road Project (May 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Four Kentucky Road Sites Ranked in Top 223 Highway Bottleknecks
Posted: 24-Feb-2004 10:35AM CST

Four locations across Kentucky have been identified as major highway bottlenecks by the National Highway Users Alliance.

The Brent Spence Bridge is ranked as the 24th bottleneck nationwide.

One of the interchanges between I-264 and I-64 in Jefferson County is ranked 119. These roads actually meet twice, but the report does not seem to specify which interchange this is.

The interchange between I-71/I-75 and I-275 in Kenton County ranks 150.

The I-64, I-65, and I-71 “Spaghetti Junction” interchange in Jefferson County ranked 163.

The rankings are based on a study of the amount of time drivers spend delayed at these points.

More information: National Highway Users Alliance: America's Worst Bottlenecks and the Benefits of Fixing Them [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Kentucky, Indiana Form Plan to Encourage Minority Involvement in Ohio River Bridges Project
Posted: 6-Jan-2004 6:47AM CST

Transportation officials from Kentucky and Indiana have adopted a plan to encourage minority-owned business involvement in the construction of two new interstate bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville.

More information: Business First: Kentucky, Indiana form plan to help businesses participate in bridges project (Dec.5, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-264]
Patrols to Increase on Shawnee Expressway during Reconstruction
Posted: 4-Sep-2003 8:32PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be employing off duty police to patrol the Shawnee Expressway 24-hours a day. The number of accidents on the 8-mile stretch of I-264 has increased sharply since construction began in March.

More information: Courier-Journal: Patrols to increase along stretch of interstate (Sept 3, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-264]
Shawnee Expressway Work Begins
Posted: 18-Jul-2003 6:56AM CDT

The western leg of I-264 in Louisville between US 60/US 31W and I-64 is known as the Shawnee Expressway. In March, the transportation cabinet began work to rehabilitate the concrete surface of the expressway and improve the expressway's landscaping. No additional lanes will be added. The transportation cabinet launched a web site about the project at www.264info.com [Outside Link].

More information: Courier-Journal: Shawnee Expressway work to begin (Mar. 5, 2003) [Outside Link], KYTC: Shawnee Expressway Project [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Work on Shawnee Expressway to start a few days early (March 19, 2003) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Black subcontractors sought for expressway work (Mar. 8, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Scandal Coverage
Posted: 18-Jul-2003 5:42AM CDT

The transportation cabinet has run into a number of scandals of late. Here is a run down of articles related to the transportation cabinet's woes:

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[I-64]
Ice Storm Closes Louisville Interstates
Posted: 17-Feb-2003 7:44AM CST

An ice storm closed parts of nearly every interstate in the Louisville area on the night of Saturday, February 15. Only I-65 remained completely open. Dozens of accidents were reported including a 24 car pile up on I-64 at Ninth Street in downtown.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet provides up-to-date information on road conditions throughout the commonwealth at www.511.ky.gov [Outside Link].

More information: Courier-Journal: Ice storm closes highways in city; accidents mount (Feb. 16, 2003) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Ice storm packs wintry punch (Feb. 17, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-264]
Courier-Journal Reviews Louisville-Jefferson County Road Work
Posted: 24-Aug-2002 4:39AM CDT

The Courier-Journal reports on a number current and upcoming road projects in their August 23 edition. Among these projects are:

  • I-264 - A two-year project to reconstruct the western leg of I-264 between I-64 and Dixie Highway. This section of I-264 is known as the Shawnee Expressway. The 7.6-mile $60 million project will include adding two lanes near I-64. Work will begin in the spring.
  • Hurstbourne Parkway (KY 1747) - A project begin in July to extend Hurstbourne Parkway from Bardstown Road to Fern Valley Road.
  • Westport Road (KY 1447) - Westport Road will be widened to 5 lanes from Hubbards Lane to Hurstbourne Parkway. A new interchange will be constructed at I-264.
  • National Turnpike (KY 1020) - Widen to five lanes from Southside Drive to Outer Loop.
  • New Cut Road (KY 1865) - Widen to five lanes from Third Street Road to Outer Loop.
  • Jefferson Boulevard - Construct a four lane extension from McCawley Road north to Poplar Level Road.
  • Gene Snyder Freeway (KY 841/I-265) - Resurface three miles near Bardstown Road.

More information: Courier-Journal: ROAD WORK AHEAD: Watch for headaches (Aug. 23, 2002) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Two Favored Routes Emerge for New Louisville Bridges
Posted: 31-Jul-2002 1:44AM CDT

Favored routes for two new bridges over the Ohio River have emerged from a group of citizens and officials conducting a study for the Ohio River Bridges Project. Although a final recommendation won't come until next month, alternative C-1 for a downtown bridge and alternative A-15 for an eastern bridge are the clear favorites.

The favorite route for a downtown bridge, C-15, would involve building a new bridge just east of I-65's Kennedy Bridge. Spaghetti Junction, the intersection of I-64, I-65, and I-71, would be rebuilt to accommodate the new bridge and relieve congestion on the interstate. Spaghetti Junction would be shifted to the south. This move would affect the Butchertown and Phoenix Hill neighborhoods in Louisville. The Indiana approach to the bridge would affect downtown Jeffersonville. The designers of Louisville's Riverfront Park anticipated the construction of alternative C-1 into their design for the park. The cost of the project is estimated to be $2 billion and would take 10 years to complete.

The favorite route for the new eastern Jefferson County bridge, A-15, manages to bypass Prospect, KY and Utica, IN to the delight of both communities. The route would connect to the current terminus of the Gene Snyder Freeway at US 42 in Jefferson County pass to the south of Prospect, cross the Ohio River, swing to the north of Utica, IN, and connect to Indiana Route 265. This route involves the construction of a tunnel on the Kentucky to minimize impact on the historic Drumanard Estate. If built this would connect the Kentucky I-265 to Indiana's I-265.

More information: Courier-Journal: Two bridge routes emerge as favorites (June 27, 2002) [Outside Link], Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Maps and Descriptions [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Spaghetti Junction Redesign Could Threaten Butchertown
Posted: 15-Apr-2002 4:56PM CDT

A redesign of Spaghetti Junction, the interchange between I-65, I-64, and I-71 in Louisville, which is planned as part of the Ohio River bridge project could affect the Louisville neighborhood of Butchertown. Local residents are seeking to have the area designated as a preservation district.

More information: Courier-Journal: Spaghetti Junction redesign proposals worry Butchertown [Outside Link]

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[I-265]
Governors Committed to New Louisville Bridges
Posted: 11-Feb-2002 1:54AM CST

The Courier-Journal reports in this Feb. 10, 2002 article [Outside Link] that the governors of Indiana and Kentucky both still support the proposed bridges over the Ohio River near Louisville.

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Public Meeting: Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Projects
Posted: 4-Feb-2002 8:20PM CST

The Courier-Journal reports in this Feb. 4, 2002 article [Outside Link] that public meeting will be held this week to discuss the Louisville-Southern Indiana bridge project. More information about the project can be found at www.kyinbridges.com [Outside Link]. The public is invited to comment on the projects until Feb. 25.

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[I-264]
KYTC Reviews Sound Barrier Policy
Posted: 26-Nov-2001 9:42PM CST

This article [Outside Link] (no longer online) from MyInKy.com reports that the KYTC is reviewing its policy on placing sound barriers. The KYTC has a policy against erecting sound barriers after a road project is completed; however, requests by Upper Highlands Neighborhood Association's along Louisville's Watterson Expressway have them reviewing the policy. A study funded by the Louisville Board of Aldermen found that the noise is so loud that conversations could not be carried on outside.

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[I-65]
Study of New Louisville Area Bridges Released
Posted: 9-Nov-2001 7:45PM CST

The long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Study of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridge Project is complete. The study details several options for recommended improvements, including the no build option, several options for downtown bridge, options for new bridge in eastern Jefferson County, and options considering the effect of two new bridges. A number of public meetings and open houses [Outside Link] have been scheduled. The DEIS can be found here [Outside Link] and articles about the DEIS from the Courier-Journal can be found here [Outside Link].

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[I-265]
Report on New Louisville Bridges Expected Soon
Posted: 7-Sep-2001 3:14PM CDT

The Courier-Journal reports in this Sept. 7, 2001 article [Outside Link] that the results of a study outlining the strengths and weaknesses of nine possible bridge routes linking Jefferson County and Southern Indiana are expected next month. The eastern bridge alternatives would link I-265 in Indiana and Kentucky. Already, groups are preparing to fight both for and against the proposed bridges.

The official website for the study is www.kyinbridges.com [Outside Link].

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[I-64]
Repaving to Close Part of I-64 in Louisville on Weekends
Posted: 2-Aug-2001 4:02PM CDT

The Courier-Journal (Louisville) reports in this August 2, 2001 article [Outside Link] that I-64 from Grinstead Drive to the Watterson Expressway will be closed for 15 consecutive weekends starting on August 10th. During the closings the roadway will be repaved and the Cochran Hill Tunnel will be repaired. This is the first thorough repaving of the highway since it opened in 1970. Traffic will be routed around the closing on I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and I-71. A map of the project area is included.

Information on the project from the KYTC can be found here [Outside Link].

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