Potholes worsen on I-71 near downtown Louisville as repairs planned

Story highlights

• Drivers say potholes along I-71 North in Louisville have become severe and difficult to avoid, especially in a tight construction zone near downtown
• State officials cite winter weather and temporary asphalt, with overnight lane closures planned to fix the damaged stretch
• Motorists report dangerous conditions and potential vehicle damage, with barriers limiting their ability to avoid potholes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Potholes are a common spring issue, but drivers along a stretch of Interstate 71 in Louisville say conditions this year have become especially severe and unavoidable.

A construction zone on I-71 North near downtown has become increasingly difficult to navigate as winter weather and ongoing road work combine to create hazardous conditions.

The area is part of a two-year, $50 million widening and improvement project, where temporary lane shifts and construction barriers have reduced space for drivers to avoid potholes.

“If you can’t drive without hitting a pothole, I would call you a NASCAR racer,” said Sam Brey, who frequently travels I-71. “If they take out that left lane and that right lane is where the emergency lane is, and that’s filled with potholes too, so you’re kind of stuck.”

Brey said he and his fiancée have nicknamed the stretch “pothole riviera” or “pothole valley.”

Recent temperature swings have worsened the situation, causing pavement to expand and contract, which leads to cracks and potholes.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said temporary asphalt used during lane shifts has not performed as expected. In response, crews plan six nights of lane closures starting Thursday, covering the stretch from the I-65/I-71 interchange to Zorn Avenue, to complete repairs.

Overnight closures of the right lane on I-71 North:

• 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to 5 a.m. Friday, March 20
• 8 p.m. Friday, March 20, to 5 a.m. Saturday, March 21
• 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 23

Overnight closures of the right lane on I-71 South:

• 8 p.m. Monday, March 23, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 24
• 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 25
• 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 26

Drivers said concrete barriers make the situation more dangerous by preventing them from avoiding damaged areas.

“The potholes is crazy, and if you don’t watch it, your wheel might fall off,” said Tawanna Hobbs. “They need to do it right because there is too much traffic on the one expressway.”

Hobbs said her vehicle has not been damaged, but she has seen other drivers dealing with expensive repairs.

“They close everything else down, they should have closed that down and did it right all at one time,” she said.

Brey added that even temporary repairs do not hold up.

“Even if they try to fill the potholes, those potholes still break after a week,” he said.

State transportation officials said the upcoming repairs are expected to improve driving conditions as construction continues.