jeff@kentuckyroads.com (Jeffrey Carlyle, KentuckyRoads.com)
2011-09-10T22:57:22-05:00

I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge over Ohio River Closed Indefinitely

Posted: 10-Sep-2011 10:57PM CDT

Topics: [Interstate 64] [Indiana] [Jefferson County] [The Ohio River] [US 150]

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels ordered the Sherman Minton Bridge, I-64's bridge over the Ohio River, closed indefinitely on Sept. 9, 2011 after cracks were found in the structure during an inspection: Louisville Courier-Journal: Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks (Sept. 9, 2011)

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet et al:

Transportation Leaders Announce Traffic Plans With Indefinite Closing of Sherman Minton Bridge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (September 10, 2011) — The public should expect long traffic delays, especially during peak rush hours, with the indefinite closing of the Sherman Minton Bridge between Louisville and New Albany, transportation leaders on both sides of the Ohio River announced today.

Mayor Greg Fischer, joined by officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, announced the following items to help alleviate some of the congestion.

When possible, it’s important for people to avoid peak travel times in the morning and evening.

People should carpool – three or four to a vehicle – to help reduce the number of automobiles on the interstates.

People should stagger their commute times – going to work early and leaving early or going to work late and leaving late.

Companies should be as flexible as possible and allow employees to work from home…to telecommute…and to have staggered arrival and departure times.

If possible, when traveling within Louisville, drivers should use surface streets and stay off the interstate. This will cause more congestion on side streets, however it will help alleviate cars on the interstates.

A detailed traffic management plan is being developed to ensure that congestion is alleviated as much as possible for as long as the bridge is closed. As soon as feasible, lanes of the Second Street Bridge will be converted to reverse lanes, though that is unlikely to occur before Monday.

When the reverse lanes are in place, there will be three southbound lanes and one northbound lane during the morning commute. For the evening commute, that will reverse, with three northbound lanes and one southbound lane. Traffic flow on the Kennedy Bridge (I-65) will remain normal.

Where possible, exit ramps along I-65 in Southern Indiana will be widened from one to two lanes to help traffic flow.

In addition, officials from the Transit Authority of River City are working with the two states to develop plans to use public transit to move people by buses across the river.