$2.2M project begins on River Road to connect Waterfront Park, downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Construction for an improvement project has begun on River Road in downtown Louisville.

The work will take place between 3rd and 7th streets on River Road and the Louisville Loop. Mayor Craig Greenberg said the project will make safety, operational and aesthetic improvements to the area.

According to a news release, the goal of the project is to create a park-like setting underneath Interstate 64 and the Belvedere that will serve as a connector between Waterfront Park and the westward expansion.

"This section of River Road is a high-visibility and high-traffic area for locals and visitors alike," Greenberg said in a news release. "This project will create a better traffic plan for all modes of transportation that is visually appealing to access Waterfront Park, Play Port, the reimagined Belvedere and tourist attractions in downtown Louisville."

The project, which has been a part of the region's long-term transportation plan since 2020, will expand the Louisville Loop by removing the northernmost westbound lane of River Road between 4th and 7th streets. Project managers tell WDRB consultants have conducted traffic modeling that shows the new design will have minimal impact on existing travel times along River Road.

"We are also putting in a low wall between car traffic and bicycles and people traffic so that folks that are there can feel they are protected – there is a barrier between them and any cars that are coming and going," said Metro Public Works Project Manager Rosa Halcomb.

There will also be enhanced and decorative lighting, directional signage, landscaping upgrades and art.

"Increasing connectivity between downtown and the river, and between both ends of Waterfront Park is a key objective of the Belvedere project," Layla George, project executive of the Belvedere Project, said in a news release. "The new protected multi-modal path along River Road provides a safe and scenic way to explore the riverfront and access the Belvedere. We believe the reimagined Belvedere will serve as the civic heart of downtown and should be accessible to all, and via all modes of transportation."

Travelers should expect detours and plan for additional time to their commute.

The project will cost $2.2 million, and it is expected to be completed by the end of September 2025.

To learn more about the project, click here.

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