LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Drivers in Louisville are bracing for a massive infrastructure overhaul as state officials prepare to shut down a key section of Interstate 65 next summer. The $150 million project, announced Wednesday by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, will replace three aging bridges in downtown Louisville, marking one of the most significant transportation investments in the region in decades.

“The project aims to replace three aging bridges to ensure that Interstate 65 will support business and travel throughout the region for decades to come,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) awarded the contract to Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., which will lead the work. Bridges over Kentucky and Brook streets, Hill Street and a CSX rail line, and Bradley Avenue will be fully replaced. The massive undertaking is scheduled for completion by mid-2027, though drivers should expect traffic impacts long before then.

Ed Green, spokesperson for the I-65 Central Corridor Project, said the bridges—built with mid-20th-century technology—have served the region well but have reached the end of their life cycle.
“From the technology that was available in the 50’s and 60’s for the bridges, they’ve done their work and they’ve lived a good life,” Green said.

Green emphasized that planners carefully timed the shutdown to avoid disrupting major events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky State Fair. According to KYTC, the highway will reopen on August 1, 2026, though lane reductions and periodic closures will extend into 2027.

Each of the bridges, more than 60 years old, has been rated in poor condition, requiring frequent inspections. The rebuild will replace every component—from foundations and piers to decks and pavement.
“Our goal is get in, get out, and have bridges that will last more than 75 years,” Green explained. “Closing the interstate and moving the traffic to another route allows the workers to do the work that they need to do, and honestly do it faster than they would otherwise.”

Detours and Timeline

KYTC outlined a phased schedule:

• Now–June 2026: Preliminary work beneath the interstate, with limited traffic impacts.
• June–July 2026: Full closure of I-65 between Jefferson Street and the Watterson Expressway. Traffic will be rerouted via I-264 and I-64. On-ramps at Jefferson Street and Liberty Street/Muhammad Ali Boulevard will stay open.
• August 2026: I-65 reopens with reduced lanes. Construction penalties are in place to prevent delays.
• Fall 2026–Spring 2027: Crews begin on at least three more bridges while keeping I-65 open at reduced capacity.

KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said officials weighed the decision carefully.
“We understand the inconvenience of closing an interstate, so it was important to us to let the public know more than nine months in advance,” Gray said. “We don’t make this decision lightly, but this option will shrink the construction period considerably to avoid prolonged traffic impacts, and it considers the input of area stakeholders to steer clear of major events.”

Community Concerns

Local businesses are preparing for disruptions. Brett Bauchmann, CEO of the non-profit Heuser Hearing Institute, said his organization operates right beside one of the 66-year-old bridges being replaced.

“I will guarantee for those first two weeks of the shutdown, no matter how much we all know ahead of time, it’s going to be tough. It just is,” Bauchmann said. “Then everyone will figure out the side streets and the timing and all those other things.”

While he supports the need for safer infrastructure, Bauchmann acknowledged the challenges ahead.
“I mean obviously the project has to go [forward],” he said. “Would I want to shut down all of these roads around here for our patients and school kids and have all of the thumping? In a perfect world, no.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond the three bridges included in this phase, the I-65 Central Corridor plan also identifies a dozen additional bridges in need of replacement. Kentucky has applied for a Large Bridge Investment Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure additional funding. If awarded, the grant would allow the state to accelerate improvements throughout the corridor.

Gov. Beshear highlighted the long-term benefits of the project.
“We know better roads and bridges build a better future. We want to ensure our families get where they need to go safely, and we know good roads connect people to good jobs and show companies around the world that we are open for business,” he said.

For Louisville drivers, however, the coming months will be about preparation—and patience—as the city readies itself for one of its most disruptive yet transformative infrastructure upgrades.

Originally reported by Sarah Bolgan in Whas11.