I-65 reopens after crews replace three aging Louisville bridges
The three bridges being replaced were originally built in the late 1950s as part of the interstate’s original construction.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Interstate 65 through Louisville reopened Wednesday morning, three days ahead of schedule, marking a major milestone in a project to replace three aging bridges along one of Kentucky’s busiest highways.
The five-mile stretch of I-65 between Interstate 264 and downtown Louisville reopened shortly after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday with two lanes open in each direction, according to Gov. Andy Beshear’s office.
The interstate had been closed for the past two months to allow crews to accelerate replacement of three bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue and Bradley Avenue.
“We know how important this corridor is to Louisville, and today we’re excited to reopen it ahead of schedule so families, visitors, businesses and more can get back to their regular commutes,” Beshear said in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to complete this project ahead of time and deliver safer roads and bridges for Kentucky families.”
A two-mile section of southbound I-65 between University Boulevard and Interstate 264 reopened in late June.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, completing the bridge work during the full interstate closure is expected to save at least a year of additional traffic restrictions and delays.
The three bridges being replaced were originally built in the late 1950s as part of the interstate’s original construction.
During the closure, crews installed about 70 steel beams and more than 200 precast bridge deck panels. Construction on the three bridges is expected to continue through March 2027.
“This is great news to see the interstate open ahead of schedule and with so much progress made,” Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. “We know an interstate closure has significant impacts on drivers, and we appreciate the patience and flexibility drivers have shown during this closure. The improvements we’re making now will benefit drivers for decades to come.”
Although traffic has returned to I-65, the corridor remains an active construction zone. The transportation cabinet said drivers traveling through Louisville should continue using the signed detour along Interstate 264 when possible to avoid congestion.
Local drivers are encouraged to use real-time traffic apps to determine the best route, officials said.
The reopened section will have a reduced speed limit, with barrels and barrier walls guiding traffic through the construction area. Some ramps near bridge construction sites will remain temporarily closed.
The bridge replacements are part of the larger I-65 Central Corridor Project, which includes replacing or rehabilitating nine bridges between the Watterson Expressway and downtown Louisville.
Transportation officials said an updated timeline for the remaining bridge work will be announced after plans for the additional projects are finalized.
