News Item #1608

The first days of the closure went more smoothly than many expected. The main trouble spot was northbound I-65 just before the Watterson, where a temporary barrier split eastbound and westbound traffic and caught drivers making last-minute lane changes. KYTC added signs, restriped lanes near the airport, and had a team drive the whole detour to review signs after truckers reported confusion at the Watterson East interchange. Trucks still using non-truck navigation kept getting stuck under Louisville's notorious low railroad trestle known as the "can opener," and KYTC turned to geofencing and in-cab alerts. TARC reported no major bus delays. In Old Louisville and Germantown, residents complained about trucks cutting through residential streets and about round-the-clock demolition noise, though opinions on the noise were split.

Demolition finished about two and a half weeks in, and the project moved into rebuilding while staying on schedule despite storms. The two-mile southbound section from University Boulevard to the Watterson reopened June 29, two days early, along with four ramps. Courier Journal columnist Joseph Gerth argued that the closure's success suggests it may be time to revisit "8664," the old proposal to remove I-64 from Louisville's waterfront.

Sources:

• WLKY: I-65 through Louisville is now closed for 2 months: A guide to getting around 
• Courier Journal: Interstate 65 in Louisville is closed in both directions. Here's why 
• Courier Journal: I-65 closure begins in Louisville. Get live traffic updates 
• WLKY: I-65 shutdown: KYTC to make signage improvements despite smooth first morning 
• WLKY: KYTC makes changes, prepares for more drivers after first day of I-65 closure 
• WLKY: Neighborhoods feeling impact of traffic as I-65 shutdown begins 
• Courier Journal: Old Louisville residents voice concerns as I-65 closure begins 
• WLKY: KYTC reviewing I-65 detour signage to cut down on driver confusion 
• WLKY: 'So loud': Neighbors divided over noise one week into I-65 corridor project 
• WLKY: I-65 project update: KYTC says bridge demolition is almost done 
• Courier Journal: I-65 road project moves from demolition to construction phase 
• WLKY: I-65 bridge demolition now complete; crews confident they'll meet deadline 
• WLKY: Ahead of schedule: Portion of I-65 opening early next week 
• Courier Journal: Gerth: Interstate 65 closure shows it may be time to 8664 (opinion)