LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The final phase of the Sherman Minton Bridge renewal project has been completed.
All six lanes of both decks of the bridge are now open to traffic. It's a permanent return to the bridge over the Ohio River's pre-construction traffic configuration.
The project started in 2021 and was originally scheduled to be finished by early-2024, adding 30 years of life to the bridge. It's currently in its fifth and final phase, which consists of replacing vertical hanger cables, replacing lighting, equipment installation, painting and adding permanent striping. The original timeline for finishing the project was August 2023.
There will be a final inspection, expected in mid-to-late January, to confirm contract specifications were met. During those inspections, there will be single-lane closures to ensure the safety of the inspectors and drivers.
At the time of the project's announcement, the Sherman Minton was the most heavily traveled crossing between Louisville and southern Indiana, handling about 90,000 vehicles per day, according to traffic estimates, or about 26,000 more than the Kennedy and Lincoln toll bridges along Interstate 65 in the RiverLink toll network. The Sherman Minton, which remains free to use, picked up traffic after RiverLink started assessing tolls in late 2016.
The ongoing construction is part of the three-year 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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- Eastbound lanes of Sherman Minton Bridge to close overnight in September
- Westbound lanes of Sherman Minton Bridge reopen after 9-day closure
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