Downtown Louisville commuters will face significant detours as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) closes two key I-65 underpasses—one at Muhammad Ali Boulevard and South Brook Street, and another at Broadway—starting early this week and remaining shut through mid‑October. The closures are part of the I-65 Central Corridor project, which aims to replace the bridges’ superstructures.
Closure schedule and immediate impact
The Muhammad Ali Boulevard underpass, together with the adjacent South Brook Street crossing, will close at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The Broadway underpass follows a day later, also closing at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. KYTC has posted detour routes online to help drivers navigate the disrupted corridor.
Commuter response
Local commuters say they will need to leave earlier for work and school. University of Louisville student Jeannine Barron told reporters she has been avoiding I-65 since the initial shutdown, preferring to stay on Bardstown Road. “Oh my God, no. I won’t even try it. I might try once they completely reopen it. I’ve gotten so used to taking Bardstown Road, it’s like if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, so I keep doing it,” she said.
Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) student Jael Durham noted the Broadway closure will force her to find a new route to campus each day. “I park in that parking garage, so I guess I’m just gonna have to pick a different way to school every day,” she explained.
Gloria Holt, also a JCTC student, said the college had given advance notice, allowing her to practice alternative routes. “It might add a little time, but that’s what preparation is for. Like, if you get the notice ahead of time, you already know what’s to come, so prepare for it,” she said.
University and college preparations
Both the University of Louisville (UofL) and JCTC are coordinating with KYTC to mitigate the impact. In a statement, UofL said it expects minimal disruption but advises staff, patients, and visitors to allow extra travel time. The university also plans to convert Muhammad Ali Boulevard between South Brook and Floyd Street into a two‑way street to improve access to parking garages along that block.
JCTC has been sending regular updates to students and staff, urging them to leave early to anticipate delays. The college’s communications team emphasized the importance of staying informed about the evolving detour information.
Detour information
KYTC has posted detailed detour maps on its website, directing drivers to alternate routes that bypass the closed underpasses. Motorists are encouraged to review these routes before traveling and to allow additional time for their trips.
Looking ahead
The bridge superstructure replacements are part of a broader effort to improve the I-65 corridor, which serves as a vital transportation link for commuters, freight, and regional travelers. While the closures cause short‑term inconvenience, officials say the long‑term benefits include a safer, more reliable highway system for Louisville and the surrounding area.
Residents and commuters are asked to stay patient, follow KYTC’s detour guidance, and plan for longer travel times until the projects are completed in mid‑October.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
