Significant work is happening now to prepare for the summer closure
Team Kentucky is investing in a better Interstate 65 in Louisville by advancing critical infrastructure improvements along the corridor through a planned temporary closure that will allow contract crews to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges. Sunday, April 12 marked 50 days until the Interstate 65 closure this summer.
Five miles of I-65 are scheduled to close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) by 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 1. It’s expected to reopen to traffic on Saturday, Aug. 1.
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.
I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic in each direction on Saturday, August 1.
Work Happening Now
Contract crews are doing as much work as possible in advance of closing the interstate. Since last September, they’ve been constructing the substructures (foundations) of the three new bridges. This work below the deck of the bridges is about 80% complete. The substructure consists of abutments and piers that support the superstructure and distributes loads to the foundation. The superstructure consists of beams/girders that support the deck of the bridges.
Crews have also been relocating utilities, prefabricating bridge deck panels and steel girders, moving supplies on site, and staging equipment. They are ready to work as efficiently as possible when the closure begins.
Work Happening During the Closure
The I-65 bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue near the fairgrounds will be replaced. All three bridges were constructed in the late 1950’s as part of the original construction of the interstate. Accelerated work during the closure will save at least a year of additional restrictions and delays on I-65. In addition to greatly shortening the construction timeline, the temporary closure is the most efficient construction and fiscal approach.
Crews will make significant progress during the closure, demolishing and rebuilding part of the new deck of each bridge. This will allow the bridges to reopen to two lanes of traffic in each direction when the closure ends in August. Construction on the three new bridges is expected to be complete in March 2027. In addition to replacing the bridges, sidewalks will be reconstructed and improved, and modernized lighting will be installed under and adjacent to the new bridges.
Work Happening Next
A total of nine bridges on the I-65 corridor are being replaced or rehabilitated as part of the project. The first three bridges are those most in need of repair. The additional six bridges are the I-65 bridges over Liberty Street, Floyd Street, Chestnut Street, Jacob Street/Broadway/Gray Street, Muhammad Ali Boulevard/Brook Street, and the Muhammad Ali Boulevard on-ramp. Substantial completion is expected in late 2027.
Getting Around During the Closure
During the closure, through traffic will be detoured to I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) on the west side of Louisville. The signed detour route is the shortest distance, utilizes roadways with the most available capacity, and creates the least traffic impacts. Some ramps to and from I-264 (Watterson Expressway) are being temporarily widened to help accommodate additional traffic during the closure.
The detour is the signed alternate interstate route taking through traffic around the closure to minimize impacts to local traffic. Local detours are not signed because of the many different beginning and end points. KYTC has a partnership with Waze providing the latest closure information to guide drivers along the most efficient route at the time of travel.
Traffic accessing downtown Louisville will use the Jefferson Street exit from southbound I-65. Traffic will also be able to access downtown Louisville via I-64. Traffic leaving downtown will use the ramp from East Liberty Street to access northbound I-65., and the I-64 ramps will also be an option for drivers (Third Street and Ninth Street ramps).
Staying Informed
Project information and updates can be found at I65CentralCorridor.com. While on the site, users can sign up to have project and traffic updates delivered to their inboxes or by text to their phones.
Project updates are shared on KYTC District 5 (D5) Facebook and X pages.
