LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Two massive, multi-million dollar road projects in our area are almost finished: the I-Move construction in Louisville and a rehabilitation project for Interstate 65 in Bullitt County.
Congested traffic and orange construction cones will soon be a thing of the past once crews wrap up the projects that have been ongoing for more than a year. Construction on Interstate 65 in Bullitt County has been the scene of major backups with lane closures, but all three lanes are now open as that project nears completion.
And in Louisville, the I-Move project that's been ongoing for several years, also has the finish line in sight -- and that's welcome news for drivers who use that stretch of interstate.Â
Stephanie Thompson, who works at Little Rick's restaurant just off I-65, said the construction has led to a traffic nightmare nearly every day.Â
"There was a lot of wrecks, and people had to sit in them, in all that traffic, it was just horrible," Thompson said.Â
Kentucky officials have said the roads needed to be upgraded for safety and better traffic flow.Â
Shepherdsville resident Gary Dezarn knows about the traffic headaches firsthand, as the project has taken years to complete.Â
"They've been working on it ever since we've been out here," Dezarn said. "It's so bad I hate getting on it."
The end is definitely in sight, officials say, as the improvements to some of those busy roadways are nearly complete.
In Bullitt County, from mile marker 104 to 110 on Interstate 65, the $64 million rehabilitation project is scheduled to wrap up in November. The project led to multiple lane closures, switches in traffic patterns and heavy congestion at times, but all three lanes in both directions have reopened for good.
Thompson said the traffic problems have "gotten a lot better," since the lanes reopened.Â
In Louisville, the $180 million I-Move Kentucky project is still expected to be finished by the end of autumn. That project involved widening the Gene Snyder from Taylorsville Road to I-71, and reworking its interchanges.
Those new ramps have opened to drivers within the last few weeks.
As years of construction and work wind down, many hope the congested traffic will as well.Â
"I'll be so glad," Dezarn said, "because right now I don't even want to be on it. Every time you get on there you get stopped and you're sitting there forever."
Related Stories:
- I-Move engineer updates timeline for completion of improvements to Kentucky interstates
- New exit on Interstate 71 in Oldham County to reduce traffic congestion
- Progress continues on the construction project to redo the I-265, I-64 interchange in east Louisville
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet eyeing spring 2024 completion for I-Move project
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