Eastbound lanes of Sherman Minton Bridge now closed for the next 2 weeks to finish concrete on bottom deck

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- For Jazzmine Finley, having one direction of the Sherman Minton Bridge closed again is becoming more of a concern. Her baby is due any day now, and she needs to be able to get to a hospital as soon as possible.

"We're hoping that it's the last time just so it is easy traffic-wise through town but also on the highway," Finley said Monday.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 that carry traffic from New Albany to Louisville close around 3 p.m. Monday. The lanes are scheduled to remain closed for two weeks, through 5 a.m. May 20, according to a news release from officials with the Sherman Minton Renewal Project. The lane closures will allow crews to finish concrete work on the lower bridge approaches.

Finley also works in downtown New Albany and has seen all the stops and starts to the bridge, one that’s been a frustration for business owners.

"A lot of us that live in Indiana but have to work at the Louisville location also will take the Sherman Minton unless it is obviously closed," she said.

The traffic struggles not only affecting those who live and work in New Albany. Shannon Eger, who regularly uses the bridge, said the stops and starts of the construction are making her second guess coming here at all.

"I come here randomly to get my haircut, colored and do a few things downtown here, and that's a nightmare," Eger said. "So I just avoid it."

When it comes to major closures, this should be it, the end of a three-year process. All that’s left now is to paint, replace lighting and add a traffic monitoring system.

"We know that it’s been not headache-free for drivers but we are eager to have it wrapped up and be able to have a bridge that will serve the public for almost 30 more years," said Andrea Brady, spokesperson for the Sjerman Minton Renewal Project.

Through traffic that bypasses Interstate 265 will be unable to cross the bridge. Drivers will need to exit onto West 5th Street in New Albany and use surface streets to access Interstate 64 Westbound, then continue to I-265 and the alternate route.

Westbound Lane Closures

All three westbound lanes I-64 from Louisville to New Albany reopened last week, but one or two westbound lanes will be closed each weeknight for the next several months while crews finish cable work on the bridge.

The ongoing construction is part of the Sherman Minton Renewal Project, which involves painting and rehabilitating the 61-year-old bridge. The project is anticipated to give the six-lane, double-decked span up to 30 more years of life.

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