LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Drivers in Louisville are being warned to expect a rough start this summer when a major interstate closure begins, as some motorists may not realize the project is happening until they run into traffic.
During a town hall meeting Tuesday night, Mindy Peterson of Parsons Corporation, a spokesperson for the project, said they expect some drivers to be surprised because not everyone follows the news or regularly checks traffic updates.
They also warned that the first few days of the closure could be especially challenging.
“It is going to be chaotic though, that is for sure,” said Louisville driver Mel Posey.
Posey said he is actually looking forward to the interstate shutting down for a couple of months because he lives close enough to hear the steady stream of traffic.
“Yeah — trucks, everything,” he said.
About 125,000 vehicles travel that section of interstate every day. For two months, those drivers will need to find alternate routes through Louisville.
Peterson said traffic issues are expected early on.
“That’s why we do anticipate, and full disclosure, that the first few days are going to be rocky,” Peterson said. “It happens any time that you have a significant closure.”
Last week, a WDRB news crew did a test route using a mapping app and showed a drive from downtown Louisville to the airport took about 20 minutes without construction traffic.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has partnered with Waze, a navigation app that receives real-time construction and traffic information from the state. Officials said the first few days of the closure will help determine what traffic plans are working and where adjustments may be needed.
“The project team will be keeping a very, very close eye on traffic,” Peterson said. “Is the modeling bearing out? Is the traffic diverting in the way that we anticipated? Are there pain points? Are there signal adjustments that may have to be made?”
“Pain points” was a phrase repeated several times during the meeting, referring to congestion trouble spots and areas where backups could develop.
Officials said a major priority will be keeping semi-trucks and heavy traffic off neighborhood streets and local roads.
“Nothing is going to be 100% foolproof,” Peterson said. “We know that those trucks, we want to divert them in the way that is going to be the most direct for them, keep them off of those local roads. We don’t want the wear and tear on the local roads. We don’t want that congestion.”
The project this summer focuses on three overpasses (KYTC refers to the overpasses as bridges). Construction is expected to continue into 2027. After that, work will begin on six additional overpasses, with the overall project expected to continue through 2028.
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