Here's a breakdown of Louisville construction projects impacting your drive

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There's a lot of construction to keep up with right now in the Louisville area, and it's affecting some local businesses.

While Kingfish has stood tall on River Road for the past 50 years, Vice President Greg Wortham said 2025 has been anything but smooth.

"It's had a huge impact on us. We've had one thing after another," he said Thursday. "... We feel like we've had more than our fair share. It's probably the worst year we've ever had."

The restaurant closed earlier this year because of flooding and snow. It also felt the impacts of River Road construction. Now, it's one of several businesses hitting another bump in the road as road work ramps up nearby. The city's construction isn't just slowing commutes. It's affecting tourism.

For example, the 70.3-mile IRONMAN race will hit the brakes in 2026. The Louisville Sports Commission said this event typically brings anywhere from 6,000-7,000 athletes and visitors each August. However, the organizers said they can't guarantee a safe course during ongoing construction. That in turn impacts hotels and restaurants that see a boom in business from the event.

"Construction is a part of life," Wortham said. "And it's better for the community in the long-run but it's all at once and it's impacted us hugely."

Local businesses now ask the community to keep supporting them as they push through the disruptions.

"You will still be able to get to us," Wortham said. "It will just be a slight inconvenience."

It's going to continue to feel like there's construction everywhere you turn for a while. Here's a breakdown some of the larger projects impacting your drive over the next few months:

I-71 Construction

A two-year, $50 million project to widen and improve Interstate 71 in Louisville started Monday, Nov. 17.

The work will add two lanes — one in each direction — along a 2-mile stretch of the interstate between the Interstate 65/I-71 interchange near Frankfort Avenue, to the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange. That will bring the interstate up to a total of six lanes from four.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the additional lanes will ease traffic congestion, increase safety and improve efficiency.

KYTC said overnight lane closures are possible between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. nightly to prepare for the shift, starting Monday. During those closures, crews will remove and pave over existing rumble strips along the outside shoulders where traffic will be moved to.

KYTC expects the project to be finished by fall 2027.

I-264 Construction

We're four months into the $130 million project to widen Interstate 264 near Brownsboro Road.

The two-year construction effort is aimed at expanding lanes and improving traffic flow between I-264 East and the interchange with Interstate 71.

The widening project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2027.

KFC Yum! Center & River Road Construction

Traffic around the KFC Yum! Center is getting tighter as construction continues on the arena’s new roof.

A section of eastbound River Road between Second and Third streets is now closed and will stay that way until the project wraps up in January.

Third Street between Main Street and River Road has reopened for now, though officials say it may close again as needed.

Crews say all surrounding roads will remain open during major events at the KFC Yum! Center, but drivers should plan for delays while construction continues.

A separate River Road Project by the Louisville Water Company will continue through 2025 and into 2026. The utility has been installing two new water lines to remove byproducts from the water treatment process. Officials hope to complete most of the construction along River Road from Zorn Avenue to Prospect by next summer.

Bells Mill Road Construction

The bridge on Bells Mill Road, which spans Floyds Fork, is a key route for more than 10,000 vehicles daily, providing a shortcut across Bullitt County. Residents say the closure will disrupt daily commutes and could slow emergency response times.

Westbound drivers will be detoured onto Preston Highway to Shepherdsville, then left onto East Fourth Street. Eastbound drivers will follow the reverse route.

The $2.5 million project is aimed at strengthening the bridge’s superstructure to handle increasing traffic. Officials said, weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed by mid-May.

I-64/65 & Kennedy Bridge

Access to I-64 east and Interstate 71 from the Kennedy Bridge will remain open, but the suggested detour for drivers coming from Indiana into Louisville is to continue across the Kennedy Bridge on I-65 south to Interstate 264 West to reconnect with I-64 west. That's a distance of roughly 18 miles.

Drivers needing to go into downtown Louisville will have to use one of the ramps from I-65 south and navigate from there.

After the four-week ramp closure, the next phase of the Kennedy Bridge expansion joint project will require closing the left three lanes of I-65 south. KYTC said additional details will be shared when available.

Currently, the right three lanes and right shoulder are closed for the project and are expected to remain closed through December.

The $6.9 million bridge expansion joint project began earlier this year to replace damaged joints for a safer traffic flow on a smooth surface. The joints are part of the bridge deck that allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature changes. The flexibility prevents cracking and helps the bridge last longer.

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