News Item #1607

I-65 reopened to two lanes in each direction early Wednesday, July 29 — three days ahead of the Aug. 1 target — after crews worked overnight to restripe, change signs and pull barrels. The corridor remains a construction zone with a 40 mph speed limit and nine ramps still closed (including Brook Street to Chestnut, St. Catherine, and the Arthur Street off-ramp). Commuters' reactions were mixed: some from southern Indiana saw faster trips, while others from Elizabethtown and Bullitt County said the drive took about as long as their detours. Businesses near the detour, like a convenience store that saw 25% fewer customers, welcomed the reopening.

The three bridges replaced during the shutdown will be finished by March 2027. Overall, nine bridges are being replaced along the corridor, and the full project is expected to wrap up in late 2027 or early 2028. Gov. Andy Beshear said that I-65 should not fully shut down again while work continues, and through traffic is still encouraged to use the I-264 detour.

Sources:

• WLKY: I-65 in Louisville to reopen in August 
• WBKO/WAVE: I-65 set to reopen five-mile stretch by Saturday, but it'll be a while before traffic returns to normal 
• WLKY: Drivers have mixed reactions to 65 reopening 
• Courier Journal: Photos of I-65 construction progress and traffic in Louisville