You’ve probably heard by now that a six-mile stretch of I-64 East is closing tomorrow for two weeks. And while you might be breathing into a paper bag, we’re here to break down the closure and its role in the larger, multi-million dollar highway project at hand.

A $13.2 million contract

In May, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) awarded a contract to Louisville Paving Company Inc. for an asphalt rehabilitation and improvement project of I-64 East and West. The section affected runs between Mellwood Avenue downtown and just past the Breckinridge Lane overpass near Bowman Field.

Construction began with I-64 West lanes, which closed Friday, June 2 and reopened four days early on Monday, June 12. Now, the corresponding I-64 East lanes are up.

Full disclosures

All I-64 Eastbound lanes from the I-64/I-71 split downtown to the Watterson Expressway will be closed until Friday, July 1.

Signed detours will divert drivers from I-64 West to I-71 North where they’ll eventually reconnect with I-64 East. Delays are expected, so KYTC suggests seeking alternative routes to accommodate longer travel times.

The following ramps will be closed:

Story Avenue
Mellwood Avenue
Grinstead Avenue
Cannons Lane

Pro tip: Check the KYTC’s District 5 Roadshow on Sunday nights for updates on this project and other road closures for the upcoming week.

Improvements being made

While the closures are daunting for commuters, the road is always smoother on the other side.

Once the project wraps at the end of summer, the life of I-64 will be prolonged + Louisvillians can drive in comfort thanks to these improvements:

Repaired guardrails
Stabilized shoulder slopes
Repaved exit ramps along the construction route
Resurfaced pavement inside the Cochran Tunnels