LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The first morning rush is under our belts, and now it's time for the afternoon traffic mess. It's day one of the Kennedy Bridge repair project.
That means lane closures, backups, and a chance to exercise your patience. For motorists, it's short-term pain for what they hope is a long-term gain.
At the Kingfish Restaurant in Jeffersonville, conversation about the Kennedy Bridge is high on the menu.
"I just don't like sitting on it and waiting."
Enjoying a hot meal with the bridge in the background is a lot more pleasant sitting on hot asphalt trying to cross it.
"I see trucks backed up from here, so that's a problem."
Tom Lumley of Sellersburg is a veteran at navigating the Kennedy Bridge. He says the key right now is planning.
"I have a doctors appointment at 1:00 over in St. Matthews, and I know that I try to make it at 1:00. They would like for me to make it at 4:00. Well I don't want a doctors appointment at 4:00 because I've got to get back across the bridge and fight the traffic."
The closing of the northbound ramp from I-64 last night marked the beginning of the bridge repair project, which will last 6 to 8 weeks. The bridge is down to two lanes on both sides as workers re-pave the surface and replace expansion joints.
Several ramps will close and re-open during different phases of this project. So the most important piece of advice is this -- pay attention.
"Make sure they're paying attention to the signs. We put them out there for a reason. So, don't be fiddling with your cell phone or the radio as you're going into the work zone. Make sure you're paying attention and watching for those lane shifts because they are going to be in place," said Andrea Clifford of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The Spears family from Indianapolis experienced the highway hazard first-hand.
"We had a truck that just really cut us off this morning. I mean he squeezed in a truck-sized spot and just cut in front of me. Young kid," said Angie and Ryan Spears.
But everyone agrees the repairs are badly needed.
"I saw one of those highway signs that said, 'The highway department is sorry for the closing of the bridge, but we're trying to protect your cars.' They're right. Some of those holes, you can almost see the river. It's scary," said Lumley.
Monday morning will be scary as well. Clifford says traffic on Mondays is usually heavier than on Friday. So, enjoy the weekend. You have something to look forward to.
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