In just 87 days, all lanes of Interstate 65 between downtown Louisville and the Watterson Expressway will close, a move expected to cause significant traffic disruptions and backups.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — In about 87 days, all lanes of Interstate 65 between downtown Louisville and the Watterson Expressway will shut down, a closure expected to create major traffic interruptions and backups.
Crews will replace and remove aging bridges over Kentucky and Brooks streets, as well as sections near Hill Street, Burnett Avenue and Bradley Avenue close to the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Construction is scheduled to last about two months, starting June 1 and continuing through July 31, 2026.
On Thursday, Democratic city council members provided an update on the project, warning that the bridges are in poor condition and could collapse, making the work essential despite the disruption.
“This critical phase of it where they shut down I-65 for two months during the summer,” said councilman JP Lyninger, District 6. “It is an imposition. It’s a burden on our community, but it’s very necessary. When you look at the state of these bridges, these overpasses, they are in really bad shape. This is a serious danger to the community that has to be addressed.”
Preparation work has already begun, and city leaders are urging residents to begin planning alternate routes now.
Some people who work in downtown Louisville said they believe the project could have been handled better.
“I might as well just get a boat and take them across the river that way because it’s probably going to be a lot quicker,” said Ashley Robinette, who works downtown.
Robinette makes four trips each day between Indiana, where she lives, and Kentucky, where she works in downtown Louisville, often using I-65.
“When you pull up the maps and you see road closures everywhere, it’s like ‘how am I supposed to get anywhere with this,'” said Robinette. “This week they closed my exit down, which is the St. Catherine exit.”
She said the early construction work tied to the I-65 Central Corridor Project has already caused traffic headaches, with increasing backups and multiple road closures.
“Second street is already unbearable,” said Robinette.
When all lanes of I-65 between downtown Louisville and the Watterson close in less than three months, she believes traffic will only worsen.
“I understand that it has to be done, it needs to be done, but I think there’s a better way and I think timing needs to be considered,” said Robinette.
The construction is expected to affect daily commuting, early summer events and business for downtown restaurants during one of their busiest times of the year, raising concerns about planning and timing.
However, Lyninger said those concerns do not outweigh the safety risks.
“The risk is collapse,” said Lyninger. “That is the shape that we are in.”
Lyninger acknowledged the inconvenience the closure will cause but said the project is necessary, especially since Kentucky serves as a major transportation hub and home to a central air hub for UPS.
“Ultimately the loss that would happen would be unthinkable,” said Lyninger. “It had to be done sooner or later, it has to be done now.”
Councilmembers recommend drivers use Interstate 264, the Watterson Expressway, and Interstate 64 through west Louisville as alternate routes. They also encourage residents to contact their councilmembers with any concerns.
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