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I-65 central corridor: multi-bridge replacements prompt two-month closure, detour via I-264/I-64
Summary
KYTC engineers said crews closed a five-mile stretch of I-65 in Louisville for approximately two months starting June 1 to replace several aging bridges; an I-264/I-64 detour is in place and a portion of I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes by July 1.
State highway engineers updated the interim Joint Committee on Transportation on the I-65 central corridor bridge-replacement project in Louisville, which targets multiple bridges built in the late 1950s and early 1960s that have reached or exceeded their service lives.
"These bridges are inspected regularly. They are safe for travel today. However, it's becoming more challenging each and every year to keep them in that condition," said James Ballinger, state highway engineer. Project teams are rebuilding several key structures to modern standards with planned service lives of roughly 75 years.
Contractors began a planned closure on June 1 that removed five miles of I-65 between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville to allow removal and replacement of three of the most critical bridges during the concentrated work window. Ballinger said a two-mile section from University Boulevard to I-264 is expected to reopen with two lanes in each direction by July 1 to provide relief for local travel while work continues on the remaining bridges through the end of 2027.
The official detour routes traffic onto I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) and I-64 to route vehicles around the closure and back to I-65. Ballinger said the detour was chosen after traffic modeling as the least disruptive alternative and that average delays for drivers who follow the official detour should be about 15 minutes per trip, with longer delays at peak periods.
Officials also described localized project features that benefit adjacent neighborhoods, including upgraded lighting and improved pedestrian connections at several underpass locations, and emphasized coordination with hospitals and freight carriers to reduce impacts.
Transportation staff said the closure and bridge work are necessary to avoid growing risk as aging structures deteriorate; they urged motorists to follow posted detours and allow additional travel time through the construction period.
