Lane closures coming to Watterson Expressway near VA hospital as $130M road work starts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Crews are scheduled to start work this week on a long-anticipated widening of the Watterson Expressway near a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

Kentucky awarded a $129.9 million contract to Cleary Construction Inc. in May. The company was one of two that bid on the proposal, which state engineers estimated would cost $114.6 million.

WDRB News reported earlier this year on the delays and cost increases of the plan that has been in the works since at least 2010.

The work calls for making the I-264 Watterson a three-lane interstate in each direction between Westport Road and I-71. Extra lanes would be added to on- and off-ramps, including the ramp from I-264 East to I-71 North; the U.S. 42 westbound ramp onto I-264; and the I-264 West ramp to Westport Road.

The section of U.S. 42 over the Watterson will be rebuilt and widened, with a “single-point urban interchange" (SPUI) added there.

State officials say nightly lane closures will occur on the Watterson between Westport Road and I-71 starting tonight at 7 p.m. and lasting until 5 a.m.

In a press release, Gov. Andy Beshear said the work will "make travel safer, reduce congestion and support long-term growth for this area of the city."

The project is expected to be complete by fall 2027.