LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kennedy Bridge repairs have hit an unexpected snag, and ramps that were supposed to be open Monday morning are still closed.
The exit ramps from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-64/northbound I-71 and westbound I-64 did not reopen Monday morning as originally anticipated.
Kentucky Transportation representatives say the ramps should open by Wednesday at 5 a.m. That's the end of the contractor's 15-day window to complete this phase of the repairs.
It is the second major hitch on this roughly $18 million project. 65 south was suddenly reduced to one lane two weeks ago because of problems with the concrete's thickness. That forced contractors to use more equipment and take up more space than they expected to repair this portion of the bridge.
The goal of the repairs is to remove potholes on the bridge and make the ride less bumpy for drivers.
Teams are actually replacing expansion joints and repaving the surface.
"At times when you're trying to cut out these expansion joints, it takes a little bit longer," said Andrea Clifford of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. "They're old, they're wedged in there from wear and tear -- from being driven over so much. Sometimes they get bent and they don't come out as easily as you think they're going to, so it takes a little more time and effort than maybe what you originally thought."
Looking ahead, officials say ramp closures are coming to Spaghetti Junction from I-65 south to I-64 east and west. And this weekend could be nasty. Clifford explains, "Northbound 65 between the Watterson and the Chestnut Street overpass in downtown Louisville will be closed."
Contractors will be placing the final asphalt surface on that section of I-65, closing four miles of the freeway through the heart of downtown.
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