Kennedy Interchange Repairs Ramp-Up
This Week in Jefferson County
Roadway bridge damaged after a semitrailer lost its load
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 9, 2022) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of emergency repairs to an Interstate 65 South bridge within the Kennedy interchange, known locally as “Spaghetti Junction.”
The repairs include replacing some of the bridge’s beams and its deck, or driving surface, damaged when a coil of steel fell off a semitrailer in early March near mile marker 136. That’s just south of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge, a span carrying I-65 South over the Ohio River.
The left lane of I-65 South has been closed for the motoring public’s safety since March when multiple inspections determined the coil of steel caused structural damage. The repairs will require additional ramp and lane closures on two interstates and a surface street under the elevated interchange.
The right lane of East Witherspoon Street in downtown Louisville was recently closed because of the repairs. The sidewalks along East Witherspoon may also be closed, but the shared-use path on the north side of the road will remain open.
The left lane and center lane of Interstate 64 East will be closed from 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, to 6 a.m. on Friday, June 10, under the damaged bridge at mile point 5.4. The center lane and right lane will be closed from 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10, to 6 a.m. on Monday, June 13, at the same mile point.
As the repairs advance, motorists should expect single and double lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 7 p.m. on Fridays through 6 a.m. on Mondays at these locations:
- I-64 East ramp to I-65 North for the Abraham Lincoln Bridge.
- I-65 North ramp to I-64 West.
- I-64 East under the damaged bridge at mile point 5.4.
The repairs will also require motorists on I-65 South to be diverted onto the ramp to Jefferson Street in downtown Louisville before merging back onto I-65 south, just north of an area known as “Hospital Curve.” The dates of the I-65 South diversion will be determined based on the progression of work but are planned to last 45 days.
Shoulder closures will be permitted at any time within the construction zone.
KYTC awarded a $3.2 million contract for the emergency repairs on May 11 to Louisville Paving Co. To expedite the repairs, KYTC pre-ordered the replacement beams. The construction is expected to be completed this fall. The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.
You can get traffic information for District 5, including updates on this project, at www.transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/, facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5. Visit goky.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information from across Kentucky.
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