I-64 bridges over Beargrass Creek in Louisville to be demolished, rebuilt

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Orange cones and construction signs are already in place, warning drivers of what’s come on Interstate 64 in Louisville.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the two existing bridges on I-64 over Beargrass Creek in the St. Matthews area will be demolished and replaced.

“It’s just a headache,” said driver Lisa Hill. “Just have to take deep breaths.”

Preliminary shoulder and median work will start first. KYTC said lane closures and traffic shifts are expected for the more than 31,000 drivers who pass over each bridge every day.

“I know it's inconvenient, it’s not something that you want to deal with, but you have to understand that this needs to happen so that we can have a road to travel safely,” driver Martin Livingston said.

The eastbound bridge has many potholes that have been filled in time and time again. These bridges were built in 1966 and, according to state data, are just some of the dozens of bridges in Jefferson County that are considered to be in poor condition.

KYTC said the westbound bridge will be demolished and replaced first. All traffic will then be shifted to the eastbound bridge. When the new westbound bridge is complete, all traffic will then be moved over for the eastbound bridge to be reconstructed.

“I don't think you can let it get to you. Right? You just got to pop in a podcast or whatever and just roll,” said driver Aaron Esposito.

There will be a lot of pre-construction work happening over the next several weeks to the shoulders and median. But the major work of demolishing the bridges will not start until after Derby.

The $6.6 million project is expected to wrap up in the fall.

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