2-year construction project disrupts River Road businesses weeks after flooding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A two-year construction project aimed at replacing water pipes on River Road is already causing headaches for local businesses, just two weeks after floodwaters subsided in the area.

The project, launched by the Louisville Water Company, is set to span from Zorn Avenue to Prospect. It began Monday, but the impact on businesses along the route is being felt immediately.

Krissy Davis, owner of River Road BBQ, described the situation as a "disaster." As construction crews worked just feet from her front door, she noted that the project was hitting her business hard during what should be a busy season.

River Road BBQ food - March 10, 2025.jpg — River Road BBQ prepares food on March 10, 2025 in Louisville, Ky.

"This would normally be a great day of business, it's perfect weather, it's BBQ weather," Davis said. "But getting to my business is anything but perfect."

The project aims to replace aging water pipes, but the construction is creating obstacles for customers trying to reach local businesses. Davis’ frustration was echoed by Sue Newman, a traveler from Illinois who had planned to stop in the area for lunch.

“This was our big stop,” Newman said, referring to her visit to the Haymarket. “I just can't get there.”

The disruption comes on the heels of last month’s flooding, which had already taken a toll on businesses. River Road BBQ and other nearby businesses have faced slowdowns, and now the construction project is compounding those challenges.

“We’ve been dealing with flooding and snow days on top of that,” said John Varanese, owner of River House Restaurant. “It’s just a lot to handle.”

March is particularly busy for local establishments like River House and King Fish, which see an uptick in customers during Lent and warmer weather. But with construction blocking access, those businesses are concerned about their ability to serve customers during the peak spring season.

"We have some big days coming up — Easter, Derby," said Varanese. "We definitely don’t want this affecting that with out-of-town business."

The construction will be completed in phases, with work taking place in blocks at a time. Each block can last anywhere from a few days to several months. Despite the challenges, local businesses plan to maintain their normal operating hours. Traffic disruptions are expected, including one-lane closures and detours to help keep things moving.

“This is going to hurt everything in the long run,” Varanese said. “We have over 120 employees, and their livelihoods depend on this. If I have to cut back staff or servers aren’t making money, it’s going to affect people’s everyday lives.”

The Louisville Water Company expects the project to take about two years to complete. In ideal weather conditions, the company aims to lay about 200 feet of pipe per day.

Top stories: