First phase will replace three deteriorating bridges near downtown Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear today announced a $150 million construction project to replace three aging bridges in Louisville and ensure that Interstate 65 will support business and travel throughout the region for decades to come. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) awarded a contract to Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. to replace three bridges on Interstate 65, near downtown Louisville. This is the first phase of the I-65 Central Corridor Project, a bridge replacement and rehabilitation initiative to ensure safe and sound bridges along one of Kentucky’s busiest transportation arteries.
Under this contract, Kiewit will replace bridges over Kentucky and Brook streets; Hill Street, a CSX rail line and Burnett Avenue; and Bradley Avenue. Work will be completed on these bridges by mid-2027.
“On Team Kentucky, we know better roads and bridges build a better future. We want to ensure our families get where they need to go safely, and we know good roads connect people to good jobs and show companies around the world that we are open for business,” said Gov. Beshear. “As a Kentuckian who worked for many years in downtown Louisville, I have driven this I-65 corridor countless times, and I understand the significance of this project. This is the first step in getting it done.”
Each of the three bridges are:
- More than 60 years old;
- Rated in poor condition, requiring more frequent inspections to ensure they are safe for continued use; and
- Getting fully replaced, including earth embankments, foundations, piers, beams, decks and pavement.
The project will move forward in three phases:
- Now through June 2026: Work will occur beneath the interstate with minimal impact to traffic.
- June–July 2026: A full closure of I-65 between Jefferson Street and the Watterson Expressway will allow for accelerated construction that will save at least a year to construct these bridges. Traffic will be detoured via I-264 west and I-64 west. On-ramps at Jefferson Street and Liberty Street/Muhammad Ali Boulevard will remain open.
- August 2026: I-65 will reopen to traffic with reduced capacity. KYTC has included significant penalties in the contract to avoid delays. While I-65 will be open starting August 2026, crews will continue work through mid-2027. Drivers should expect some off-peak lane closures and periodic impacts as the project wraps up.
- Fall 2026–Spring 2027: Crews expect to start work on at least three additional bridges. Construction dates have not been finalized, but KYTC expects to keep I-65 open with reduced lanes during this phase of construction.
“We understand the inconvenience of closing an interstate, so it was important to us to let the public know more than nine months in advance,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “We don’t make this decision lightly, but this option will shrink the construction period considerably to avoid prolonged traffic impacts, and it considers the input of area stakeholders to steer clear of major events. We’re committed to doing all we can to coordinate all of our construction projects in the region to keep travelers moving as we work to upgrade our transportation network to improve your commute for decades to come.”
Extensive detour plans and alternate routes will be shared well in advance to help drivers plan travel and reduce disruptions. Kiewit will oversee construction as part of a highly collaborated effort with KYTC staff and engineering and design consultants.
“Replacing these bridges has been one of our top priorities in recent years,” State Highway Engineer James Ballinger said. “These are heavily used bridges – with more than 125,000 vehicles crossing them daily – and some have needed multiple patches to extend their lives and ensure their safety. This contract allows our team to build three new bridges that will last more than 75 years and avoid potential closures in the future.”
A dozen additional bridges in the corridor are part of the project but are dependent on available funding. Team Kentucky has applied for a Large Bridge Investment Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide additional funding. If awarded, the grant would allow KYTC to expedite this project and continue improvements to the I-65 Central Corridor.
For the latest project news and updates, visit i65centralcorridor.com and follow on Facebook and X (@65CntrlCorridor).