LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) — After nearly seven months of construction, work on the bridge at Bells Mill Road (KY 1526) is entering its final phase.
Last week, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews transported 110-foot beams through the winding roads of Bullitt County to the site, marking a key milestone in the long-running project that has frustrated drivers.
Like many residents, Leo Coakley relied on the bridge as a shortcut to the interstate and a quick route to Louisville and Indiana.
“It’s been an inconvenience, but there’s a lot of inconveniences in life anyway. So, that’s just one of them,” Coakley said. “Mostly, I go to Indiana a lot. I work over there a lot. So, I go to Indiana quite a bit. So, now I got to go all the way around.”
Coakley said his commute now takes at least 20 minutes longer, not including delays through Shepherdsville during peak hours.
Jimmy Maggard has faced a similar challenge. His commute, once just a few miles west of his home, has tripled in length over the past six months.
“It needed to be done. The bridge was really rough driving across,” Maggard said. “It’s just a long drive. A little more traffic. You know, traffic in Shepherdsville, especially now that this is being done, is even worse. So just turned my 8-minute drive into about almost 30.”
Both men said they have appreciated one unexpected benefit — fewer cars traveling on Bells Mill Road, which they consider dangerous due to speeding drivers and limited visibility.
“Best sleep I’ve ever had in my life,” Coakley said with a laugh.
That may be the one part of the construction they’ll miss once the project ends.
KYTC expects the bridge to reopen in mid-May, with completion on track for May 15.
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