I-65 shutdown in Louisville may impact more than 40 planned events and conventions

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — One of the largest road construction projects in the Louisville area in recent years is set to begin in the coming months, and tourism officials said preparations are already underway to limit the impact on major events.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to shut down Interstate 65 between Interstate 264 and Jefferson Street for about two months to repair three bridges. About 125,000 drivers use that stretch of I-65 each day, including many traveling to and from downtown Louisville for conventions and special events.

For drivers like Freddy Silva, who works for DoorDash and uses I-65 daily, the closure is unwelcome but unavoidable.

“If that's going to be closed for two months, it is going to be a little bit hard for me but what can I do,” Silva said.

Silva said the area near the Kentucky Expo Center is one of his busiest delivery zones.

“This is one of the places where we get more orders from DoorDash so I am around this area all the time,” he said.

With the Expo Center adjacent to the construction zone, tourism officials said they are notifying groups well in advance about the expected traffic disruptions, including tens of thousands of visitors attending the Run 4 Roses basketball tournament.

“We have notified about 40 groups we anticipate will be in during that time frame just to let them know and they can let their attendees know and include it in their ‘know before you go’ type of communication,” said Rosanne Mastin with Louisville Tourism.

Hotels near the Expo Center are also preparing for possible changes. The Crowne Plaza, which is often booked years in advance due to its proximity, may need to make adjustments as the closure approaches.

“As we get closer to that June and July, there might be some adjustments that we have to make for some of our clients and guests,” said Greg Mann, the Crowne Plaza's General Manager.

Tourism officials said no events have canceled since the closure was announced last summer, noting that summer is typically a slower period for conventions.

“We're pretty lucky in that sense,” Mastin said. “If it is going to pick a time, it is the best time we can find to do it, I guess.”

The exact start date for the I-65 closure has not been announced.

For more information about the "I-65 Central Corridor Project," click here. You can also follow progress through the I-65 Central Corridor Facebook page by clicking here.

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