Starting on Monday, June 1, 2026, a five-mile stretch of I-65 in Louisville will close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) to allow construction crews to work on replacing three area bridges.
“I-65 bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue near the fairgrounds are at the end of their service life and are being replaced. Crews will make significant progress during the closure, demolishing and rebuilding part of the new deck and superstructure of each bridge. Accelerated work during the closure will save at least a year of additional restrictions and delays on I-65,” Kentucky officials said.
The affected portion of I-65 is expected to reopen on August 1, 2026.
What You Need to Know
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I-65 is scheduled to close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) on Monday, June 1 and reopen on Saturday, Aug. 1.
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The two-month closure saves at least a year of additional restrictions and construction delays.
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Bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue are being replaced. Significant progress will be made during the closure.
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A two-mile section of southbound I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic by Wednesday, July 1. It stretches from University Boulevard to the Watterson Expressway (I-264).
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Reopening this section of roadway will reopen four ramps: Crittenden Drive on and off ramps and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and University Boulevard to southbound I-65.
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After the closure, I-65 will be open to two lanes in each direction.
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Team Kentucky is investing in a better I-65 with a scheduled, temporary closure that will allow contract crews to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges.
More information is available at the official construction project website.
