LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) –- With construction well underway on the $130 million Interstate 264 and U.S. 42 interchange improvement project, Kentucky Transportation officials are working to alleviate traffic impacts that will affect drivers, neighborhoods, and nearby schools.

That's according to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The project is designed to expand highway capacity and safety by widening the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and reconstructing the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) interchange.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on a half-mile section of Brownsboro Road until the end of January, according to the release. That's why state highway crews and contractors are finding ways to add extra lane space and providing on-site assistance to keep drivers safely moving.

"We’re doing everything we can to ease congestion for drivers in the area who have been affected by construction activities," Chief District Engineer Matt Bullock said in a news release. "This widening project is a major investment in the long-term future of this region, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work to make travel safer and more efficient for the long-haul."

Here's a list of actions the state is taking to reduce work zone traffic impacts in the area, according to the news release:

  • Adjusting traffic signal timing to allow more traffic through the corridor during peak times.
  • Using new radar-based vehicle detectors and live monitoring of traffic flow at select signals, which can better ensure vehicles "trip the light" and signals can be adjusted in real-time to reduce vehicle wait times and improve traffic flow.
  • Expanding left-turn lane space at the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) and Rudy Lane intersection to relieve congestion and prevent backups, improve intersection efficiency and reduce bottlenecks during high-volume periods.
  • Deploying law enforcement at the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) and Rudy Lane intersection to assist with traffic management.
  • Enhancing pavement markings and installing additional signage along the corridor to clearly convey lane shifts, signal phases, and traffic pattern changes.
  • Maintaining a project website and traffic alert signups to keep everyone informed through both the U.S. 42 interchange rebuild and subsequent construction work over the next year.

The U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) lane reduction is necessary to maintain traffic across the U.S. 42 bridge over I-264 while it’s demolished and rebuilt one half at a time. Once complete, the results will be long-term improvements including safer travel, increased capacity, and reduced congestion. 

The interstate project is expected to be completed by fall 2027, according to the release. More details, including project timelines and traffic impacts, will be shared online as work progresses. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for email alerts regarding weekly traffic impacts pertaining to the project.

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