Construction closes Riverside Drive in Clarksville for 'Thunder Over Louisville' even for pedestrians

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An ongoing construction project on Riverside Drive in southern Indiana means the road will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians during Thunder Over Louisville in April.

The revitalization project started in February to add new lighting, on-street parking, sidewalks, and bike lanes. The construction zone stretches from the entrance of Ashland Park to the Clarksville/Jeffersonville border.

The road was closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic when the project got underway, but town officials had originally planned to make accommodations to allow pedestrian access by opening an 8-foot-wide path through the construction zone during Thunder Over Louisville.

After further planning and investigation, however, "Clarksville’s emergency responders decided the risk to public safety would be too great to allow for this temporary pathway," according to a news release.

"It was with great consideration that we have decided to have a complete closure of Riverside Drive during Thunder," Clarksville Chief of Police Col. Nathan Walls said in a news release. "In the best interest of public safety, thousands of people exiting in the dark through a major construction area proposes too much risk."

Due to the size and location of the construction zone, there will be no way for people to walk between the Jeffersonville and Clarksville riverfront. Pedestrians will still be able to access Ashland Park via West Winbourne Avenue and South Sherwood Avenue.

Thunder Over Louisville is Saturday, April 20. The airshow and fireworks are part of the opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Thunder will be broadcast all day on WDRB, WDRB.com and the WDRB+ streaming app.

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