This Saturday marks 100 days until this summer’s temporary Interstate 65 closure in Louisville to speed construction of the I-65 Central Corridor project’s bridge replacements, and contractors continue to make progress on preliminary work along both I-65 and the Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) detour route.
Next week, month-long ramp and lane closures on I-65 will begin to advance the construction schedule near Brook Street. The ramp and lane closures are necessary for contract crews to perform micropiling work, a process in which crews will drill micropiles into the ground and grout them in place to provide enhanced stability and load-bearing capacity for the new Kentucky Street/Brook Street bridge.
The month-long traffic impacts beginning next week on I-65 for barrier wall placement, temporary striping, and new foundation installation include:
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24
- I-65 South will be reduced from three lanes to one lane just south of the I-64/I-65/I-71 interchange (locally known as ‘Spaghetti Junction’) from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at which time it will reopen to two lanes during daytime hours through Wednesday, March 25.
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25
- I-65 South will be reduced from two lanes to one lane just south of the I-64/I-65/I-71 interchange (locally known as ‘Spaghetti Junction’) from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. each night through Wednesday, March 25, for foundation work at the new Kentucky Street/Brook Street bridge.
- The I-65 South off-ramp to East St. Catherine Street (Exit 135) will be closed beginning at midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and will reopen on Wednesday, March 25.
- The I-65 South on-ramp from South First Street near East Jacob Street will be closed beginning at midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and will reopen on Wednesday, March 25.
Earlier this month, crews began widening and restriping I-264 ramps to increase capacity and improve merge operations along the detour route. This work is continuing and is expected to be completed by the end of March.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted signage and allow additional travel time while this work is underway. A complete list of all current traffic alerts is available at i65centralcorridor.com. All construction schedules are weather dependent.