Archive for category: I-71 Widening

New interstate lanes and ramps open during daytime hours for safer, smoother travel

Gov. Andy Beshear announced today the substantial completion of critical ramp and interstate improvements as part of the transformative I-Move Kentucky project in Jefferson County. As one of the state’s largest and most ambitious highway improvement initiatives covering more than 20 miles, I-Move marks a significant step forward in enhancing safety, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow along three of Louisville’s busiest interstate corridors.

“Our goal is to ensure every Kentucky family is driving on safe and efficient roads on their commutes to work, school or the grocery store,” said Gov. Beshear. “With this milestone project, we’re not just improving traffic flow today – we’re laying the foundation for economic growth and opportunity in our New Kentucky Home for years to come.”

Launched in Spring 2020, the I-Move Kentucky project consolidated four high-priority infrastructure upgrades into a unified effort. Key highlights of the project include:

• Widening Interstate Highway 71 from four to six lanes – three lanes each direction – between the Gene Snyder Freeway and Kentucky Highway 329 (Crestwood/Pewee Valley).
• Expanding the Gene Snyder Freeway from four to six lanes – three lanes each direction – between Kentucky Highway 155 (Taylorsville Road) and I-71.
• Reconfiguring the I-64/I-265 interchange with new flyover ramps to improve traffic flow.

This week, the last barrels were moved to open all additional lanes and ramps during daytime hours for safer, smoother travel for daily commuters and visitors. Additionally, these improvements will support and strengthen the region’s economy and lay groundwork for continued growth.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to building better highways that support the needs of Kentuckians now and in the future,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. “By addressing congestion and improving connectivity across some of our busiest interstate corridors, we’re making travel safer and more efficient for Kentucky families and businesses alike.”

While the bulk of the I-Move construction is now complete, sound wall installations and additional finishing touches such as overhead signs, pavement markers and concrete repairs remain under way.

These upgrades further enhance the project’s long-term impact, supporting regional economic development and improving quality of life for Kentuckians. This work will take place on nights and weekends, and there could be lane closures during this time.

On Tuesday, overhead sign installation will require temporary overnight lane and ramp closures on I-265 at I-64 and at the I-265/I-71 interchange. From 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday, the ramp from I-265 southbound to I-64 westbound will be reduced to one lane. Ramps at the I-265/I-71 interchange will also be closed one at a time starting Tuesday at 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

For more information on the I-Move Kentucky project, including updates and on remaining work and the long-term benefits of the project, visit https://i-moveky.com.

Lane and ramp closures will be in place on I-71 and I-265 starting tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 13. This work is part of the I-Move Kentucky project.

Friday, Sept. 13 

Beginning at 8 p.m., the ramp from KY 329 to I-71 southbound will be closed. Crews will be performing pavement work on the ramp. This closure is in place until Monday morning at 6 a.m.

Also, at 8 p.m., I-71 southbound will be reduced to one lane from KY 329 (Mile Marker 15) to just past Moser Farm Road Bridge (Mile Marker 11).

Monday, Sept. 16 

Monday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 20 from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily, I-265 southbound and I-265 northbound will be reduced to one lane in various locations throughout the corridor from Shelbyville Road to Brownsboro Road. These lane reductions will be in place for pavement marker installation.

Work may be adjusted due to weather or other unforeseen events. Drivers should use caution when traveling through active work zones.

Multiple lane and ramp closures will be in place on I-71 and I-265 starting Friday, Aug. 23. This work is part of the I-Move Kentucky project.

Friday, Aug. 23 

• Beginning at 8 p.m., the exit from I-71 northbound to KY 329 will be closed for paving. This closure will be in place until noon on Saturday.  

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-71 northbound from the rest area to the KY 329 overpass will be reduced to one lane. Crews will be working on the surface pavement.  This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Monday morning. 

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-265 northbound from Brownsboro Road to I-71 will be reduced to one lane. Crews will be performing concrete paving. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Monday morning.  

Sunday, Aug. 25 

• Beginning at 3 p.m., I-265 North at Shelbyville Road (Exit 27) will be reduced to one lane. Crews will be performing highway lighting maintenance. This closure will be in place until 6 p.m. Sunday.  

• Beginning at 3 p.m., ramps from I-265 North to I-71 South, I-71 South to I-265 South, and I-265 South to I-71 North will be closed. Crews will be performing bridge maintenance work. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Monday morning.  

• Beginning at 3 p.m., I-71 southbound and I-71 northbound will be reduced to one lane at the Gene Snyder. Crews will be performing bridge maintenance work. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Monday morning. 

Tuesday, Aug. 27 

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-265 northbound lanes between Westport Road (Exit 32) and Brownsboro Road (Exit 34) will be reduced to one lane. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. 

Wednesday, Aug. 28 

• Beginning at 6 a.m., I-265 northbound traffic between Westport Road (Exit 32) and Brownsboro Road (Exit 34) will be shifted to the left side of the road. This will be a long-term shift. 

• Beginning at 8 p.m., the ramp from I-265 South to I-64 West (Exit 25B) will be closed. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Thursday morning.  

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-265 southbound from Shelbyville Road to I-64 will be reduced to one lane. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Thursday morning.  

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-265 northbound from I-71 to US 42, will be reduced to one lane. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Thursday. The same closure will be in place Thursday night.  

Thursday, Aug. 29 

• Beginning at 6 a.m., the current split of traffic on I-265 South at Shelbyville Road will be eliminated. All lanes of traffic will now be on the right side of the permanent barrier wall. A right-side lane closure from the Shelbyville Road ramp onto I-265 southbound will stay in place. 

• Beginning at 8 p.m., I-265 northbound from I-71 to US 42, will be reduced to one lane. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. Friday morning.  

Work may be adjusted due to weather or other unforeseen events. Drivers should use caution when traveling through active work zones. 

Multiple ramp closures and lane reductions are scheduled to take place this weekend along I-64, I-265 and I-71 as part of the I-Move Kentucky project. Traffic changes are expected to begin on Friday, August 9 at 8 p.m.

Starting Friday, August 9:

• The ramp from I-64 WB to I-265 SB will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday, August 9 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 11. All traffic will detour at the Blankenbaker Parkway exit.
• The ramp from I-265 SB to I-64 EB will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday, August 9 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 11. All traffic taking the right I-265 lane and Shelbyville Road on-ramp traffic will take the I-64 WB ramp and detour at the Blankenbaker Parkway exit.

 

Starting Saturday, August 10:

• I-71 NB will be reduced to one lane at the KY 329 bridge from 4 a.m. on Saturday, August 10 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 11.
• I-71 SB will be reduced to one lane from Moser Farm Road to the I-265 bridge from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 10.

 

Starting Sunday, August 11

• The KY 329 ramp to I-71 NB will be closed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 11.

 

Starting Tuesday, August 13:

• I-64 EB and WB lanes at the I-265 interchange will undergo daily 15-minute rolling closures around 2 p.m. These closures are necessary for blasting operations in the interchange area and will remain in place until further notice.