Roadwork begins at Old Louisville crossings as I-65 Central Corridor shutdown is set for summer 2026

Local street closures mark the first visible stage of a multi-year interstate rebuild

Roadwork is arriving at a heavily traveled area near downtown Louisville as crews begin preparatory construction tied to the Interstate 65 Central Corridor Project, a $150 million effort to replace three aging overpasses and reduce long-term disruption through an accelerated interstate closure planned for summer 2026.

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, parts of South Brook Street, Kentucky Street, Hill Street and Burnett Avenue are scheduled to close to through traffic and remain closed through spring 2027. Transportation officials have said the shutdowns are needed for preliminary work connected to an I-65 off-ramp at St. Catherine Street (Exit 35) and bridge work in the corridor.

Where the early closures are happening

The initial street impacts are concentrated in and around Old Louisville and the area beneath I-65, where construction access is required ahead of the main bridge replacement work. Detours and local-access provisions are planned to keep nearby properties reachable.

• South Brook Street and Kentucky Street: Detours are planned on South Brook between Kentucky Street and Ardella Court, and on Kentucky Street between First Street and South Brook Street. Local access is expected to remain available on portions of South Brook (between Ardella Court and Caldwell Street) and on Kentucky Street for access to alleys east of First Street.

• Hill Street and Burnett Avenue: Detours are planned on Burnett Avenue between Floyd Street and the Preston Street connection north of the CSX rail line, and on Hill Street between Floyd Street and Preston Street south of the rail line.

The interstate shutdown planned for June and July 2026

The most significant traffic change is expected in summer 2026, when I-65 is slated for a full closure between Jefferson Street and the Watterson Expressway (I-264) during June and July. The closure is designed to accelerate construction and shorten the overall timeline for replacing the overpasses.

During the shutdown, interstate detours are expected to route drivers primarily via westbound I-264 and westbound I-64. Project materials indicate certain access points are planned to remain available, including the Jefferson Street off-ramp for southbound traffic entering downtown and on-ramps near Liberty Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard for northbound access.

What is being replaced and why

The project’s first phase targets three structures carrying I-65 over:

• Kentucky Street and South Brook Street

• Hill Street, a CSX rail line, and Burnett Avenue

• Bradley Avenue near the Kentucky Exposition Center

Transportation officials have said the bridges are more than 60 years old, rated in poor condition, and require more frequent inspections than most bridges. The plan is full replacement, including new embankments, foundations, piers, beams, decks and pavement.

Drivers should expect a two-month interstate closure in summer 2026, followed by continued work and periodic impacts until the project’s expected completion in mid-2027.

After I-65 reopens in August 2026, the corridor is expected to operate with reduced capacity while construction continues through at least mid-2027. Project officials have also indicated that additional bridge work in the broader I-65 corridor may proceed in later phases depending on available funding.

Signage is expected to be posted in affected areas, and schedules may change due to weather or other delays.