I-65 Closure in Louisville: Summer 2026

  • Closed Monday, June 1 – Friday, July 31 to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges.
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Getting Where You Need to Go

Through Traffic

  • The signed detour is to I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) on the west side of Louisville.
  • The signed detour is the shortest distance, utilizes roadways with the most capacity, and creates the least traffic impacts.
  • The route takes through traffic around the closure, minimizing impacts to local traffic.

Local Traffic

  • Local detours include many different beginning and end points.
  • Mapping apps will help drivers find the best route at their time of travel.
  • Southbound I-65 from University Blvd. to the Watterson (I-264) is open, including on-/off-ramps at Crittenden Dr. and on-ramps from Eastern Pkwy./University Blvd.

Downtown Access

  • Downtown is accessed via the Jefferson Street exit from southbound I-65.
  • Traffic leaving downtown can use the East Liberty ramp to access northbound I-65, I-64 and I-71.
  • I-64 ramps at Third Street and Ninth Street also provide access to and from downtown.

Detours at a Glance

Northbound I-65 drivers staying in Kentucky:
Detour to westbound I-264, then take eastbound I-64 

Northbound I-65 drivers traveling to Indiana:
Detour to westbound I-264, take westbound I-64 and the Sherman Minton Bridge to cross the Ohio River, then use eastbound I-265 to rejoin I-65

Southbound I-65 drivers staying in Kentucky:
Detour to westbound I-64, then take eastbound I-264

Southbound I-65 drivers traveling from Indiana:
Take southbound I-65 and the Kennedy Bridge to cross the Ohio River, detour to westbound I-64, then take eastbound I-264 to rejoin I-65

Countdown to I-65 Reopening

I-65 is closed Monday, June 1 – Friday, July 31. The five-mile closure extends between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street).

Days

Know Before You Go

Download and get closure ready.

Fact Sheet | English

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Fact Sheet | Spanish

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Detour Information | English

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Detour Information | Spanish

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Downtown Hospital Access

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Downtown Hospital Access

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Key Louisville Destinations

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Key Louisville Destinations

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Know Before You Go

Download and get closure ready.

Fact Sheet | English

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Fact Sheet | Spanish

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Detour Information | English

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Detour Information | Spanish

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Downtown Hospital Access

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Ramp Closures

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Local Street Closures

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Key Louisville Destinations

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Maps & Detour

Plan Your Route with Real-Time Updates from Waze

  • KYTC is an Agency Partner with Waze, a free GPS navigation app for iOS and Android that provides real-time traffic updates and traffic-optimized routes.
  • Waze automatically incorporates KYTC traffic news and releases to provide the best route at your time of travel.

Visit the Waze or download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

What You Need to Know

  • I-65 closed between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) on Monday, June 1. It reopens Saturday, Aug. 1.
  • The two-month closure saves at least a year of additional restrictions and construction delays.
  • Bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue are being replaced. Significant progress is being made during the closure.
  • A two-mile section of southbound I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic by Wednesday, July 1. It stretches from University Boulevard to the Watterson Expressway (I-264).
  • Reopening this section of roadway will reopen four ramps: Crittenden Drive on and off ramps and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and University Boulevard to southbound I-65.
  • After the closure, I-65 will be open to two lanes in each direction.
  • Team Kentucky is investing in a better I-65 with a scheduled, temporary closure that will allow contract crews to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges.

Improvements Being Made

  • Three key bridges are being replaced.
  • Sidewalks will be reconstructed and improved, and modernized lighting will be added under and adjacent to the new bridges.
  • The bridges were built in the late 1950s as part of the original construction of the interstate and have reached the end of their service life. Ongoing maintenance has kept them safe for travel, and replacing them will ensure long-term reliability.
  • The new bridges will have a service life of 75 years and serve the community for decades to come.
Learn more about improvements

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Contact Us

Do you have questions about the I-65 Central Corridor Project? Email the project team at info@i65centralcorridor.com. We appreciate your interest in the project.

Interstate 65 is closed between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) through July 31.

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