Shepherdsville officials used much of the Nov. 24 council meeting to press the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) for better coordination after two weeks of “gridlock” caused by lane closures and construction on I‑65 and adjacent roads.

Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) said the city does not control state and interstate routes and urged residents to contact state legislators and federal representatives. The mayor described recent closures — including a lane restriction on I‑65 and a Bells Mill Road closure — that funneled traffic onto Preston Highway and other local streets, producing lengthy backup times for routine trips.

City staff said the city has engaged engineering consultant Strand Engineering to work with KYTC and improve planning so projects affecting the same corridor are not staged to create overlapping disruptions. Arthur, a staff project lead, said the city also coordinated with Stantec on signal timing and had maximized cycle times where possible but noted that “there just wasn’t enough road to let them out.”

Police Sergeant Creason told council members the closures and associated accidents have lengthened emergency response times — giving an example of an officer needing 45 minutes to get from Cedar Grove to Walmart during a recent closure — and said officers must balance traffic control against continuing public-safety duties.

Officials stressed alternatives for residents: monitor the KYTC website for rolling closures and blasting notices, alter travel times where possible, and contact elected officials to request more sensitive staging plans. The mayor encouraged “dignified” calls and written feedback to KYTC, saying the city will continue pressing for better coordination and will push for targeted improvements such as a center-turn lane at the Bradshaw Estates area and changes to signal timing where feasible.

Next steps: staff said they will keep pushing KYTC contacts (including Tom Hall, who was identified by name in meeting remarks) and that the city will document impacts and provide feedback to state partners.