LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A bridge demolition project in Louisville will lead to several closures lasting the entire weekend.
Crews will demolish the I-71 South ramp bridge over the Watterson Expressway interchange ramps. Because of the work, the following traffic restrictions will be in place from Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m., until Monday, March 16, at 5 a.m.:
The I-264 East ramp to I-71 South will be closed (Exit 23B). Motorists should take I-71 North to I-265 North to reach I-71 South.
The I-71 South ramp to I-264 West will be closed (Exit 5). Drivers should continue on I-71 South to Zorn Avenue at Exit 2, then take I-71 North to reach I-264 West.
I-71 North will be closed at mile point 4.9. Motorists can continue to I-264 West at Exit 5 and should detour to either U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) at Exit 22 or KY 1447 (Westport Road) at Exit 21 to connect with I-264 East and proceed to I-71 North.
The I-71 North ramp to I-264 West will remain open at Exit 5.
The I-264 East ramp to I-71 North will also stay open (Exit 23A).
Officials will post detour signs, but drivers should expect significant delays during the closure.
The demolition comes as the area is already experiencing major road construction, with crews working to widen the Watterson Expressway and the interchange at U.S. 42.
Jim Ensign and Rhonda Howard both live off Brownsboro Road.
“I usually just power through it. You just kind of count on it and build ten extra minutes in a schedule,” said Ensign.
“I think for now, we’ve figured it out, but I think there’s a lot of unknowns, especially once the hospital opens,” said Howard. “I’m so happy to see the hospital, because we definitely needed a new veterans hospital, but I think it’s the added traffic that’s unknown.”
Businesses in the area say customer traffic has gradually improved compared with when construction first started last fall.
“It seems like it’s evened out again, and our customers have figured it out,” said Danielle Loewy, the store director of Slugger Kids Consignment. “This is a busy time of year for us generally, as people are ready to shop for spring, Easter and spring break. So they’re finding a way to get here.”
Doug Carroll, the owner of Brownsboro Hardware and Paint, said businesses in the shopping center where his store is located have worked together to help customers navigate the changes.
“We started a website called usethebackway.com. We also put signage out in the front to promote supporting local businesses because every shop, every business in the shopping center is local,” said Carroll. “A lot of them have learned the timing. You know, when the schools get out, that’s when customer traffic drops because there’s so much traffic with the schools and everything else. People avoid the area.”
Even so, Carroll said he remains confident that conditions will continue to improve over time.
“They’ve made great progress. I think it didn’t get worse, it got better. So hopefully in the next year, it’s going to be better and we’ll have a huge party to celebrate,” said Carroll.
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