FAQs

What is the I-65 Central Corridor Project?

I-65 Central Corridor is a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project to replace aging bridges on a heavily traveled corridor of I-65 between I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and the Muhammad Ali Boulevard interchange in downtown Louisville. A total of nine bridges will be replaced or rehabilitated. The project will improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and support future traffic needs, serving generations to come.

A five-mile section of Interstate 65 is scheduled to close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) early Monday, June 1. It’s expected to reopen to traffic on Saturday, Aug. 1.  The closure is scheduled to begin by 12:01 a.m. Monday.

No. 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.

During the closure, through traffic will be detoured to I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) on the west side of Louisville. Detour routes were developed based on extensive traffic studies done over the past two years.  The signed detour route is the shortest distance, utilizes roadways with the most available capacity, and creates the least traffic impacts.

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.

Some ramps to and from I-264 (Watterson Expressway) are being temporarily widened to help accommodate additional traffic during the closure.  This includes the ramp to southbound I-65 from eastbound and westbound I-264, the ramp from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-264, and the eastbound I-264 ramp to the eastbound I-264 collector distributor near the airport.

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. The old structures will be removed, and new bridges will be built in their place. Sidewalks will be reconstructed and improved, and modernized lighting will be installed under and adjacent to the new bridges.

These bridges are at the end of their service life. Despite ongoing maintenance, all three bridges have an inspection rating of “poor.”  These bridges were all built in the late 1950’s. They have been repaired and even reinforced. They need to be replaced. Doing so will serve the next generation of travelers for decades to come.

A temporary closure is the best approach for several reasons. The two-month closure significantly shortens the length of construction, saving more than a year of additional interstate restrictions and delays. In addition to significantly shortening the construction timeline, the temporary closure is the most efficient due to construction complexities, available funding, and the ability to address the three bridges in need of immediate improvements as quickly as possible. Construction constraints include the fact that some of the existing bridges are too narrow in some locations to safely try to shift multiple lanes of traffic to one side.

Crews are doing as much work as possible in advance of the closure on July 1. They are constructing the substructures (foundations of the new bridges). They’re also assembling supplies and staging equipment. As soon as the closure begins, they are ready to demolish the old bridges and build the new ones. Contractors are expected to reopen I-65 to two lanes of traffic in each direction on August 1. There are financial penalties if the full closure extends beyond the deadline.

Yes. When the closure ends, I-65 will be open to two lanes of traffic in each direction through the end of the I-65 Central Corridor project. Substantial completion of the project is expected in late 2027. The closure this summer saves at least a full year of additional restrictions on the interstate.

Yes. Six more bridges will be replaced or rehabilitated as part of the I-65 Central Corridor project.

Similar, extensive repairs or replacements are needed for those bridges. Much of that work is expected to happen next summer. Details for the approach to that work are still being finalized.

Work is happening in a way that works for the dollars currently available and for work that can be completed during the two-month closure.  These are the bridges most in need of immediate attention. Replacing the three bridges will cost around $150 million. That funding has been identified.

They’re safe, but they need to be replaced. They are at the end of their service life. They are monitored closely and inspected more frequently. They’re safe for use, but they need attention as quickly as possible.  

We are dialing up our communications efforts. We are talking to elected officials, businesses, convention and tourism officials, the trucking industry, emergency officials, and more. One of the best things we can do is arm folks with information on how to best prepare and plan for the closure. Extensive signage will be in place letting drivers know about the closure.

The total investment of the I-65 Central Corridor project is expected to be around $370 million. That commitment is seen in KYTC’s six-year Highway Plan.

Substantial completion of the project is expected in late 2027. The new bridges will have a service life of 75 years. The work happening now will serve the community for decades to come.

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.