News Item #1609

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) closed a five-mile stretch of I-65 through central Louisville — from Jefferson Street to the Watterson Expressway (I-264) — in both directions at 12:01 a.m. June 1 so crews could replace three aging bridges (over Kentucky/Brook streets, Hill Street/Burnett Avenue and the CSX line, and Bradley Avenue) on the $150 million Central Corridor project. State highway engineer James Ballinger said the full closure would save at least a year of construction compared to working under traffic, with the new bridges expected to last about 75 years. The project is funded by the state legislature and the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Prep work began in early May with the closure of the St. Catherine Street off-ramp and 1st Street on-ramp, and crews pre-assembled 70 steel beams and precast deck panels so they could be "puzzled" into place quickly. The contract carried "steep penalties" for lateness.

The roughly 120,000–125,000 daily drivers on the corridor were directed to a signed detour on I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) around the west side of the city, adding an estimated 15–20 minutes. Officials urged test-driving alternate routes, staggering work hours and using Waze (KYTC's official mapping partner). The coverage looked at ripple effects: hospitals in the LOUMED district said they would stay open 24/7 with staggered shifts and pre-positioned ambulances; Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) pointed travelers to its Crittenden Drive west entrance; and businesses along Preston Highway and South Preston Street braced for either a windfall or a slump from cut-through traffic.

Sources:

• WLKY: Two I-65 ramps closed in Louisville ahead of months-long project 
• Courier Journal: Interstate 65 closure planned for Louisville is weeks away. How to prepare 
• WLKY: Crews 'confident' I-65 closure in Louisville will only last 2 months 
• WBKO/WAVE: Here's what KYTC officials say you should do before the I-65 shutdown on Monday 
• WLKY: Louisville's I-65 shutdown could bring big traffic—and big business—to Preston Highway 
• WLKY: Louisville hospitals prepare for I-65 shutdown with plans to maintain 24/7 care 
• Courier Journal: Downtown Louisville hospitals to remain open through I-65 closure 
• WLKY: Louisville airport reminding travelers to plan ahead during I-65 closure 
• Courier Journal: Longer commutes, heavier traffic. What to expect during I-65 shutdown 
• WLKY: Downtown Louisville workers prepare for I-65 closure and detour challenges