Crews begin $118 million project to widen busy stretch of I-64 in Shelby County

SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- A major upgrade is coming to a busy stretch of Interstate 64 in Kentucky, a project that will span nearly three years and cost approximately $118 million.

While the improvements promise long-term benefits, commuters may face delays in the meantime.

The construction, which covers an 11-mile stretch from Simpsonville to KY 395, is expected to begin Tuesday evening. The project includes widening the highway, rebuilding three overpass bridges and expanding four existing bridges.

“It is what it is,” said Armando Cochran, a local commuter. “If I can’t get on 64, I just take 60 to Frankfort every day.”

Shelby County Judge-Executive Dan Ison acknowledges the inconvenience, but said the project is necessary due to the county’s rapid growth.

“There’s an inconvenience to the public driver, but it is to his benefit,” Ison said. “We are one of the fastest-growing communities in the commonwealth. In the past six months, over $1 billion in new industry has come to Shelby County.”

During construction, officials plan to keep at least two lanes open at all times, with local law enforcement assisting with traffic flow.

“We will have local sheriff’s departments working with the road departments to ensure traffic flows as best it can,” Ison added.

Once completed, the project will expand I-64 to three lanes in each direction, aiming to ease congestion and improve travel conditions.

“There is so much traffic on 64 if you’re going to Lexington,” said driver Tommy Cochran. “It will benefit us in the long run. Patience is a virtue.”

For some, the detours might bring unexpected benefits. Cochran, who owns a business in Frankfort, noted that increased traffic through downtown Shelbyville will provide more exposure.

“Anytime the highway is closed down, we get more traffic through town, so I guess it has exposed my business a little better,” he said.

The project will be completed in several phases:

Phase 1A (preliminary work):

Nightly lane closures (traffic reduced to one lane) from 8 p.m. – 6 a.m.
- Milling of all existing rumble strips on outside shoulders
- Set barrier walls for shifting traffic to the outside shoulders to work in the middle lanes

Phase 1:

Daily/nightly lane closures during non-peak travel times
- Widening of I-64 from mile point 32.29 to mile point 38.3 (build inside lane and shoulder)
- Work on the three bridges over I-64 to accommodate the widening of I-64
- 90-day closure of KY 2861 (Zaring Mill Road) in 2025/26
- 120-day closure of KY 1790 (Hooper Station Road) in 2025/26
- Traffic will remain open on KY 53 (Mt. Eden Road) during construction
- Nighttime closures of I-64 to be expected for the demolition of the overpass bridges and for setting bridge beams

Phases 2 and 3:

Sound wall installation near Exit 35 at KY 53 (Mt. Eden Road) near residential properties
Outside lane construction of I-64 (begin with one direction and switch)
I-64/KY 53 (Mt. Eden Road) interchange reconstruction

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