I-Move Update: Bridge Demolition Requires Overnight Closure of Interstate 71 This Weekend

Traffic will be detoured between I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway) and KY 329

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is advising motorists and residents of significant, overnight travel impacts this weekend on I-71 in Jefferson and Oldham counties as part of the I-Move Kentucky project.

Demolition of the old KY 1694 (Brownsboro Road) bridge over I-71 is planned Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24, requiring the overnight closure of all lanes of I-71 in one direction each night and an approximate 9-mile detour along local routes in Jefferson and Oldham counties. The I-71 rest areas at mile point 13 will be closed in advance of the associated road closures.

Traffic on Brownsboro Road will not be impacted. Motorists will use the newly constructed replacement bridge starting Wednesday afternoon.

Work to demolish the bridge will require these overnight closures and detours:

  • Friday, April 23: Full closure of I-71 northbound between I-265 (Exit 9) and KY 329 (Exit 14), from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Saturday, April 24: Full closure of I-71 southbound between KY 329 (Exit 14) and I-265 (Exit 9), from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The bridge demolition is scheduled overnight on a weekend to minimize impacts on local roadways.

Traffic on I-71 will be detoured from the roadway between I-265 at mile point 9.1 and KY 329 at mile point 14.5. Barricades will be in place and police officers will assist in moving traffic off the roadway. Signage and flaggers will aid motorists as they travel through the detour and back to I-71. This detour cannot accommodate wide loads.

Motorists Friday can take the following detour: I-71 northbound to I-265 southbound to KY 22 east (Brownsboro Road) to KY 329 to KY 329 Bypass to I-71 northbound. Motorists Saturday can take the following detour: I-71 southbound to KY 329 Bypass to KY 329 east to KY 22 (Ballardsville Road) to I-265 northbound to I-71 southbound.

I-Move Kentucky is replacing all bridges over I-71 within the project area. The existing bridge had reached the end of its lifespan and did not meet current interstate standards for vertical clearance. The newly constructed bridge is higher to facilitate freight movement underneath and wider to include sidewalks for safer pedestrian access.

Work schedules may be adjusted due to weather or other unforeseen delays. Drivers should be cautious when traveling through active construction areas.

About I-Move Kentucky

The I-Move Kentucky project includes improvements to four major sections of I-265, I-71 and I-64 through a heavily traveled corridor in Jefferson and Oldham counties. Work on the I-Move project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.

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