LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two lanes in each direction of Interstate 65 through Louisville reopened ahead of schedule Wednesday after an almost eight-week shutdown, but drivers can expect continued lane and ramp closures as work continues on overpasses and other parts of the I-65 Central Corridor Project.
The roughly 5-mile stretch from downtown to Interstate 264 reopened overnight Tuesday. Several ramps remain closed, including the Preston Street ramp, ramps at Floyd and Magnolia streets on I-65 South, and the Arthur Street ramp at Exit 134.
Joshua Cundiff, who lives next to I-65, said the reopening doesn’t mean the work is finished near his home.
"Yeah, it will be nice to have everything and all the equipment out of here and everybody moving on," Cundiff said. "But it’s just one of those things where we are just going to do it again somewhere on I-65."
Project officials said three bridges are still being repaired, with additional overpasses awaiting plans for replacement or rehabilitation. Gov. Andy Beshear said the state does not plan another full shutdown of I-65 for the remaining work, though a final completion date has not been announced.
"We do not have an end date for the project yet because we still have six bridges that need attention — they will either be replaced or rehabilitated, three of each," said Mindy Peterson, a project spokesperson.
Future overpass work is expected near Liberty Street, Floyd Street, Muhammad Ali Boulevard, Jacob Street, Chestnut Street, and Muhammad Ali Boulevard at Brook Street, officials said.
Many drivers welcomed the reopening Wednesday, even as commutes remain longer than normal.
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"Yeah, really glad," said Andre Terrell, who said his drive is about 25 minutes now compared with about 10 minutes before construction.
Officials are still encouraging through-traffic — especially truck drivers without Louisville destinations — to use posted detours to reduce congestion in the work zone. During the closure, some truck detours led to the "can opener" underpass that has a history of trucks striking the bridge.
"For folks who don’t have destinations in Louisville, we want them to stay out of the construction zone, stay off I-65," Peterson said. "We still want to swing them to the west on I-264."
Some drivers said they would rather see the work finished quickly, even if it meant more disruption.
"Honestly, yeah, get it done," Terrell said when asked if he would prefer another shutdown. "Yeah, honestly, 'cause it will be another problem we face."
The following ramp closures remain in effect:
- June 2026 to late 2026
- Preston Street ramp to I-65 North
- Floyd Street/Magnolia Street and Preston Street ramp to I-65 South
- Arthur Street ramp from I-65 South (Exit 134)
- June 2026 to August 2027
- 1st Street/Liberty Street ramp to I-65 South
- June 2026 to October 2027
- Brook Street ramp from I-65 North
- St. Catherine Street ramp to I-65 North
- Preston Highway ramp to I-264 East
- Preston Highway ramp to I-264 North
- Fair/Expo Center Main Gate exit from I-264 East
And these are the surface street closures related to the project:
- September 2025 to March 2027
- Brook Street from St. Catherine Street to Caldwell Street
- Burnett Avenue from Floyd Street to Preston Street
- Hill Street from Floyd Street to Preston Street
- Kentucky Street from 1st Street to Floyd Street
- Permanently closing in July 2026
- The alley between Broadway and Jacob Street under I-65
- Permanently closing in August 2026
- Jacob Street from 1st Street o Brook Street
- August 2026
- Broadway from 1st Street to Brook Street
- August 2026 to October 2027
- Brook Street from Chestnut Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
- Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 1st Street to I-65
- September 2026
- Chestnut Street from 1st Street to Brook Street
- September 2026 to October 2026
- Gray Street from 1st Street to Brook Street
