Louisville residents sound alarm on impacts of 2-month I-65 closure next summer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A two-month closure of Interstate 65 in Louisville isn't set to happen until next summer, but many drivers are already getting worried.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is shutting down the interstate between Interstate 264 and Jefferson Street in June and July next year.

Because there are about 125,000 vehicles that travel that stretch of road every day, it's anticipated it will be a massive traffic headache.

During the closure, crews will work to replace "the worst of the bridges in this corridor" — three aging overpasses built more than 60 years ago.

Two are in Old Louisville: A bridge over Kentucky and Brook streets, and one at an area where Hill Street, Burnett Avenue and a railroad line meet.

The other is farther south over Bradley Avenue near the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Traffic will be detoured onto the Watterson Expressway and Interstate 64 West.

Drivers who attended an information meeting Monday evening said city leaders may not have considered all the impacts.

"I'm really concerned, because a member of the Old Louisville neighborhood, we have old homes that are historic and they're prone to foundation issues, so any heavy truck traffic like that is really going to cause a big issue for our foundations, so I just wanted to make Council aware of that," Brent Stoll said.

KYTC officials said completing the entire project will take until the middle of 2027.

During the work, officials want drivers to use a nearly 16-mile stretch of highways to get around the work zone. But the route also is peppered with deteriorating sections that will certainly see more wear and tear, including seven overpasses in "poor" condition — four of which are set for their own repairs and even replacement, according to a WDRB News analysis of public data.

Downtown Louisville street closures begin Wednesday through 2027 for I-65 corridor overhaul

Kentucky plans 2-month shutdown of I-65 in Louisville in 2026 for overpass replacements