LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Water Company (LWC) project will lead to lane closures for Frankfort Avenue, affecting area residents and businesses over the next several months.

The project will be taking place along Frankfort Avenue and at the Crescent Hill Reservoir. The reservoir will remain open for the duration of the construction, but visitors will only be able to use the Brownsboro Road entrance.

That construction marks the second and final phase of the one-year Frankfort Avenue Water Project, during which crews are replacing water mains near the Crescent Hill Treatment Plant, including a 60-inch water main recently installed in the middle of Frankfort Avenue.

The construction is a huge undertaking since it's so close to railroads.

Instead of tearing up Frankfort Avenue, the water company is using a technique called sliplining, in which they will insert the new main into the existing one.

Detours for a Louisville Water Company construction project at Crescent Hill Reservoir (May 2022)

Detours for a Louisville Water Company construction project at Crescent Hill Reservoir (May 2022)

While they aren't tearing up the roads, some lanes still have to close causing frustration for residents and businesses.

"We talk about like 'God, when are they going to get it done,'" said Dan DeGeorge, with DeGeorge Bros. Guitars.

"First we had the pandemic, now we have the road construction," said Hillcrest Tavern Manager Karmen Moore. "So, I mean, we have a great business here, we're doing well, but we could do a lot better when the street opens up." 

These traffic pattern changes have had an impact on business.

"A lot of people had to reroute their routes to get here," Moore said. "We do have amazing regulars but for a lot of newcomers it was difficult to get to us." 

DeGeorge said his shop has put more into their online inventory, and they've been doing promotions for people who make it to their music shop in-person.

"We do a few posts here and there, let people know 'Come in.' If you've battled your way through construction we probably have some stickers or guitar picks or something here for ya just for dealing with it," DeGeorge said.

The LWC acknowledges the project can cause complications for area residents and businesses.

"We know that we are an anchor in this community and our water makes it possible for businesses and homes to operate," said Kelley Dearing Smith, a spokeswoman for the utility company. "We also know that construction is an inconvenience, so our goal in working with the businesses is hopefully they can appreciate the inconvenience a little to get to that end result."

The following detours and road closings have been announced:

  • Frankfort Avenue will be reduced to one westbound lane between Sacred Heart Lane and Hillcrest Avenue
  • Reservoir Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed at Frankfort Avenue
  • Two detours for eastbound motorists: Stilz Avenue to Lexington Road to Cannons Lane, and Hillcrest Avenue to Brownsboro Road to Chenoweth Lane
  • Residents using the Crescent Hill Reservoir, Mary T. Meagher Pool or the Crescent Hill Golf Course will have access via Brownsboro Road

The LWC said since the project started almost a year ago, crews have worked with businesses to ease the pain through efforts like adding signs to tell people businesses are still open.

They will also replace and add new sidewalks to the area.

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