LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 4, 2012) – Construction on Interstate 71 in Louisville is scheduled to start again on April 13. Asphalt paving and concrete bridge deck repairs will resume on this section of roadway between Interstate 64 in downtown Louisville and Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway).
Concrete repairs will be completed on the nine sets of bridges between downtown and I-264 (mile points 0.0 and 5.5). During these repairs, I-71 will be reduced to one lane for sixteen days in each direction.
Southbound I-71 will be reduced to one lane from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13th through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, April 30th. Construction is scheduled to begin in the right lane and as work progresses construction will move to the left lane.
As part of this work, the exit ramp from southbound I-71 to Zorn Avenue (Exit 2) will be closed from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13th until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 19th.
Lane closures for bridge repairs on northbound I-71 are currently scheduled for May 11th – 28th.
Tractor-trailers and loads wider than 11 feet will not be permitted through the work zone. A signed detour will be in place via Interstate 264 and Interstate 64.
Lengthy delays are anticipated with these lane closures. Motorists should consider alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destination.
The final asphalt surface will be paved between Interstate 64 and the Blankenbaker Lane overpass (mile points 0.0 and 3.5). During this phase of the project full road closures will be utilized on two weekends between mid-May and early June. Dates for this work will be provided based upon weather and construction progress.
On average, 60,000 vehicles travel this section of roadway each day. The speed limit in the work zone will be reduced to 55 MPH.
Construction began in August 2011 on this project, but work was limited last fall due to the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge. Interstate 71 served as the detour route for accessing Interstate 65 and crossing the Ohio River into southern Indiana.
Gohmann Asphalt and Construction is the contractor on this $10.9 million project. Work is currently scheduled for completion in June.
The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Traffic information for the District 5 counties is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.
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