LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Flooding and debris along Interstate 64 in Louisville has raised concerns, and is so bad a man's car was totaled.

But the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said a solution is in the works to fix the flooding.

The agency said it's in the process of cleaning weeds in the highway drains, but there are several areas that are in need of a lot of help.

"But in the past three years, grass is grown out of the drains. There's garbage constantly piled up right there," Mark Aubrey said. "And that's specifically and all up and down 64 as well."

Aubrey was headed home from work in September 2021 when he came across a pond in the interstate.

"My car shut off in the middle, had to put it in neutral and push it out of nearly knee-deep water to the end of the ramp," he said Friday. "So, a tow  truck could be able to pick me up and bring my car home."

Aubrey's Dodge was totaled — water destroyed the engine. It was insured and Aubrey bought another Dodge. 

WDRB found road pylons along I-54 earlier this week as cleaning crews got to work.

"This week, maintenance crews plan to clear vegetation and debris on surface drains along I-64 through the downtown area," a KYTC spokesperson said in a statement.

When you see the amount of trash deposited along the road, there is no question it's a thankless job to pick up trash along the interstate. KYTC said it takes away from other duties.

"Any additional work requested beyond these cycles diverts resources dedicated to maintaining our infrastructure," the spokesperson said.

In other words, don't throw trash along the interstate if you want other things fixed.

'Anyone that comes to our city sees that," Aubrey said. "It's not really inviting for guests outside of the area that we live in."

KYTC crews have cleaned a few of the interstate drains along I-64. Some of the weeds or trees growing out of the interstate drains have been sprayed and are turning brown. The agency said they are working on a longer-term solution to the flooding.

"Design plans have been finalized for a drainage improvement project on five bridges along I-64 from (Interstate) 264 to Spaghetti Junction," the KYTC spokesperson said.

While these changes and plans may be too late for Aubrey and his old Dodge, he said something is better than nothing.

"We've conquered indoor plumbing that works the same way. Outside, water goes downhill," he said. "We should have (a) drainage system that alleviates the problem from the motorist. It creates a safety issue for a lot of people."

The next time it rains, the recently-cleared drains will be put to the test to see if water drains from the interstate.

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