LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A $180 million project to widen and improve congested interstates in eastern Jefferson and Oldham counties is nearing completion.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet launched the I-Move Kentucky project, the largest single construction project in the state since the Ohio River Bridges project in 2016, four years ago.

The project was originally expected to be completed by now, but officials have said progress has been delayed by supply chain problems. 

I-Move has had two completion dates since it began. The project was scheduled to wrap up in late 2023, but that deadline was moved to the spring of 2024. Officials now hope to have it complete later this year. 

The goal of the I-Move project is to rebuild the Interstate 265/Interstate 64 interchange. It includes adding a collector-distributor lane on Interstate 71 South to improve safety to and from I-265. In addition, it widens I-265 and I-71, changing some stretches of the highway from four lanes to six.

According to the I-Move project, the changes will help with safety and relieve traffic congestion in busy areas where thousands of cars travel daily.

I-Move Project Engineer Chris Slone said the project has been a huge undertaking, but believes drivers are already seeing results. 

"Hopefully, people have already seen that, especially coming 1-64 eastbound from Blankenbaker," Slone said. "With the new ramp opening, we don't have near the back up we did." He added that "this is the second largest project Kentucky has ever led after the downtown bridges."

Slone said the I-64/Snyder interchange handles about 180,000 cars a day. Indiana resident Matt Uhl is one of those drivers, and has been frustrated by the construction delays on both sides of the bridge. 

"Having this construction done will really help me out and give me an alternative way where it's not an hour fifteen minutes plus for me to move 20 miles back and forth across the river," Uhl said. 

The good news for Uhl is that a new ramp will be opening soon.

"We have a new ramp opening here in two weeks," Slone said. "The crossover on the Snyder where you have the split lanes traffic should be ending within the next two to three weeks as well."

New ramps will also be opening on both I-64 and Interstate 65.

Slone has this message for drivers: "Thank you for being patient with us. Hopefully, it will be a little while longer and we'll be out of your way."

Slone said the new estimated completion date is this fall.

Meanwhile, drivers who use I-64 at the interchange with I-265 will deal with rolling lane closures this week that will continue until further notice. 

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