I-65 closure in Louisville set for summer; key detours announced

There is just over a month before a two-month closure of Interstate 65 in Louisville begins, bringing major detours throughout the summer.

The shutdown will cover a five-mile stretch between Interstate 264 and downtown Louisville at Jefferson Street. It will begin just after midnight on Monday, June 1, and is expected to end on Saturday, August 1.

According to WHAS11, crews will replace multiple bridges along the corridor, including those over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue near the fairgrounds. Officials said the full closure will avoid more than a year of partial lane restrictions.

“Replacing them will provide a safer, more reliable connection for the approximate 125,000 drivers who rely on them daily,” said Natalie House-Lewis, a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project manager.

Once completed, the new bridges are expected to last about 75 years. After the full closure ends, I-65 will reopen with two lanes in each direction, though additional work and lane impacts will continue until the project wraps up in late 2027.

During the closure, drivers will be rerouted to I-264 on the west side of Louisville. Transportation officials selected this detour after two years of traffic studies, citing it as the shortest route with the most capacity. Crews will temporarily widen some ramps along I-264 to handle increased traffic.

Drivers heading into downtown Louisville can use the Jefferson Street exit from southbound I-65 or take I-64. Those leaving downtown can access northbound I-65 via the East Liberty Street ramp.

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