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) 

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) 

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) 

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) 

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) 

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) 

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) 

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) , Associated Press: Motorist should use caution traveling (Dec. 26, 2004) 

Current information regarding highway conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov .

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) , Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of snow (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: State making progress on western Kentucky roads (Dec. 25, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Some still without power, roads cleared (Dec. 25, 2004) 

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

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) 

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) 

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

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) , Associated Press: Some Roads Reopening After Record Snow (Dec. 24, 2004) , Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press: A long stranded trip (Dec. 24, 2004) , New Albany (Ind.) Tribune: City struggles to keep streets clear as snow piles up (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: Interstates reopen to travelers in Midwest (Dec. 25, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Snow gives travelers tales to tell (Dec. 25, 2004) , Associated Press: Some Indiana highways remained slick but passable after snow (Dec. 25, 2004) , Associated Press: Indiana highways slick but passable (Dec. 26, 2004) 

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

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

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) , Shawnee Expressway Project: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (August 11, 2004) 

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) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ground Breaking Held for Westport Road Project (May 25, 2004) 

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 

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) 

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) 

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 .

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

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:

• Associated Press: FBI says subpoena related to Conner case (Jan. 31, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Grand jury hears Cabinet witnesses (Feb. 13, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Bill would give review powers over Transportation Cabinet (Feb. 26, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Transportation Cabinet oversight bill passed (Feb. 27, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Report: Tina Conner friend got promoted with outside influence (Mar. 4, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Report: Patton helped officer who aided Conner (Mar. 5, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ticket 'fix' may have led to raise (Mar. 5, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Governor hopefuls promise change (Mar. 9, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Minority firms receive little state business in Kentucky (March 18, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ethics panel charges Patton; Allegations Stem Ffrom Conner Affair (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ethics Charges (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Patton charged with 4 ethics violations (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Associated Press: State paying $12 million to settle suit over bridge in bribery case (May 27, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Former transportation official sues governor (June 12, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Lawyer for Patton's ex-mistress says she could still be charged (June 26, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Two companies sue Transportation Cabinet over program (July 1, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Auditor criticizes planned Transportation Cabinet kitchen deal (July 1, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Suit alleges fraud by officials on contracts (July 2, 2003) 
• Bowling Green Daily News: Suit uses BG company to highlight its concern (July 5, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Governor's ex-mistress is indicted (July 10, 2003) 

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 .

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

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) 

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) , Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Maps and Descriptions 

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 

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

The Courier-Journal reports in this Feb. 4, 2002 article  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 . The public is invited to comment on the projects until Feb. 25.

This article  (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.

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  have been scheduled. The DEIS can be found here  and articles about the DEIS from the Courier-Journal can be found here .

The Courier-Journal reports in this Sept. 7, 2001 article  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 .

The Courier-Journal (Louisville) reports in this August 2, 2001 article  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 .