LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eastbound lanes of the Sherman Minton Bridge reopened early Wednesday, after a 12 day closure. 

The lanes on Interstate 64 heading to Louisville were closed, as crews worked on the upper deck. During the closure, the I-64 eastbound entrance ramp from West Spring Street was closed along with the I-64 eastbound to Interstate 264 eastbound ramp.

Earlier this month, organizers said additional work will carry into late summer with what it said will be limited impact on traffic with most restrictions lifted by June 2024.

For the past two years, material and labor shortages have hampered progress on major construction projects throughout the region, according to INDOT. Increased time to manufacture critical components and get them to the site have more than quadrupled, which has strained the schedule for the project.

KYTC and INDOT have worked with bridge contractor, Kokosing Construction Company, to iron out updated expectations for the project schedule. Under an amended agreement, the bridge will continue to remain open 95% of the time. The public will continue to get advance notifications about planned restrictions.

Work on Phase Four began in mid-November and includes structural steel repair and replacement, bridge painting, pavement preservation, and concrete bridge deck replacement on the final section of the top westbound deck. Traffic will remain restricted to one westbound lane on the upper deck. One westbound lane and two eastbound lanes will be open on the bottom deck.

The Sherman Minton Renewal is rehabilitating and painting the 61 year old structure in a project that will add up to 30 years of life to the six-lane double-decked bridge that carries traffic over the Ohio River between Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN.

To follow progress on the project, go to www.ShermanMintonRenewal.com.

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