LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The right three lanes of the Kennedy Bridge in downtown Louisville will stay closed through the remainder of the year.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said in a news release Monday the closures on Interstate 65 South crossing the bridge will allow crews to complete ongoing work on the project to replace the expansion joints on the bridge.
Expansion joints are a "component of the bridge deck, or travel surface, that allows for thermal expansion and contraction due to changes in weather to prevent concrete from cracking and to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge," KYTC said.
The transportation agency said the right three lanes and right shoulder of the bridge will stay closed through the end of 2025, spanning the entire length of the bridge.
During the closures, Interstates 64 and 71 will still be accessible, KYTC said.
Crews will install barrier walls on the bridge starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 29. The work is expected to last through 3 p.m., and will require crews to close the right four lanes of the Kennedy Bridge temporarily.
KYTC said during that closure, two through lanes will stay open and drivers will still be able to access I-64 and I-71. The agency is encouraging drivers to pay attention to road signs, use caution and expect delays.
It's part of a $6.9 million project to replace the joints on the bridge, which is expected to be completed by April 2026 with "intermittent lane closures to be anticipated throughout the duration of construction."
This will be the second extended closure on the bridge this year. In February, the left three lanes were closed to repair damaged expansion joints on the Indiana approach. The lanes reopened in early April after crews were able to make temporary repairs to the joints.
The three left lanes of the Kennedy Bridge and one lane of I-65 South reopened at Hospital Curve Monday morning after weekend road work. All lanes of I-65 South through the corridor were closed Saturday and Sunday for crews to make repairs and address areas impacted by recent semitruck crashes. The bridge lanes were closed for unrelated repairs.
All southbound lanes through Hospital Curve are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
For updates and information about ongoing KYTC projects, click here.
Related Coverage:
One lane of I-65 south reopens after weekend construction at Hospital Curve
Drivers were promised a ‘long-lasting’ makeover of the Kennedy Bridge. It didn’t happen.
Lane closures starting on Kennedy Bridge ahead of renovation project
Kennedy Bridge fully reopens several weeks after emergency repairs to expansion joints
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