LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A heated discussion took place Thursday night as residents and business owners along River Road voiced their frustrations over a major infrastructure project set to begin in March.
Louisville Water hosted the meeting to address concerns about the upcoming two-year-long residual line replacement project.
The work is slated to start on Monday, March 10 at Zorn Avenue and River Road, gradually progressing eastward to the Louisville Water Prospect plant. The existing water line has reached the end of its service life, necessitating a full replacement.
According to Vince Guenthner, Louisville Water's Senior Utilities Consultant, the project is essential for maintaining the city's water treatment process.
Construction will be carried out in phases, each lasting approximately six months. The first phase will take place between Zorn Avenue and Blankenbaker Lane from March to September.
Blankenbaker Lane to Lime Kiln Lane will be closed September 2025 to April 2026. Crews will work between Lime Kiln Lane and Wolf Pen Branch Road from April 2026 to October 2026. Finally, Wolf Pen Branch Road to Transylvania Avenue will be worked on from October 2026 to December 2026.
For many residents, the project raises serious concerns, particularly regarding access to their homes in emergencies. Ken Rosenbaum, an 80-year-old resident, expressed fears about road closures affecting emergency medical assistance.
"At age 80, I'm concerned about our health," Rosenbaum said. "We often call our children to come get us to the hospital in an emergency. If the road's closed, how do they get to our house?"
Beyond emergency access, the lack of advanced notice was a common grievance among attendees at Thursday's meeting.
Resident Jason Clark voiced his disappointment, stating, "I don't know that fairness was much considered. It's just, it is what it is. They have to do this project. I think it would've been nice to know about the project more in advance than what was the timeline given, but I think that it's gonna happen. We have to figure out the best ways around it."
Louisville Water is advising non-residents and visitors to use alternative routes such as Brownsboro Road or Interstate 71. However, with additional construction projects planned along Brownsboro Road, including the VA hospital opening and a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) project, traffic congestion is expected to worsen.
Clark highlighted the burden on the community, saying, "The VA's gonna open, the KYTC project on Brownsboro Road and 71, that's gonna start, and so that's gonna be a difficulty. It's gonna put a lot of strain on our residents."
Local businesses, such as Cunningham Creekside, are also feeling the pressure. Owner Brent George acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "I can control what I control, which is my employees and access to the restaurant, but I never know about my customers. If you make it more difficult to get to you, that's a concern."
Despite the frustrations, Louisville Water has assured residents that local access will remain available, ensuring people can reach their homes and businesses can continue operating. While the project is necessary for maintaining essential infrastructure, residents are left to navigate the inconveniences and hope for a smoother process than they anticipate.
The project is set to unfold over the next two years, with ongoing updates expected as each phase progresses.
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