LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Crews have started the first phase of construction on the Sherman Minton Bridge renewal project, and that means major traffic changes are in effect for the next several months.
Starting Monday, the top deck of the bridge has two westbound lanes open, from Louisville to New Albany, as well as one eastbound lane, from New Albany to Louisville. On the bottom deck, two lanes are closed entirely and one eastbound lane remains open.
Temporary barrier walls were set up over the weekend, and some lanes have been repainted to keep direction changes as clear as possible. This traffic pattern will be in effect during Phase One of the Sherman Minton Bridge renewal project.
Crews will be heavily focused on the bottom deck during that time. They'll be painting, replacing the deck and doing steel repairs as needed. While construction workers are focusing on the bottom deck, temporary crossovers will remain in place to move eastbound traffic on and off the upper deck.
There are two lanes leading up to the bridge from New Albany. The right lane takes drivers to the lower deck. Drivers need to use that to get to the Shawnee Expressway. It's the only way to access the Interstate 264 interchange.
Drivers that want to avoid the Sherman Minton Bridge during construction are advised to take Interstates 65 and 265 as detours. Officials are recommending drivers find a traffic or navigation app that updates in real-time so people can plan the best route for their day. They ask drivers to check that before heading out the door.
"It'll give drivers a heads up just on what the traffic looks like and if they need to consider a different route other than the suggested alternate route they could do so," said Andrea Brady, the spokesperson for the Sherman Minton Renewal.
The rehab work should be substantially complete by August 2023 and finished in early-2024, according to the proposal by Kokosing Construction Co., the contractor Indiana officials chose to oversee the project.
Some New Albany business owners operating near the bridge said they're already seeing an impact from the construction project.
Related Stories:
- New Albany businesses prepare for change in Sherman Minton traffic patterns
- Preps for Sherman Minton Bridge renewal will close I-64E Sept. 17-20
- Crews to begin Phase 1 of Sherman Minton rehab project in mid-September
- Sherman Minton Bridge plan details construction phases, lane closures
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