Louisville commuters will face short, nightly detours on I-264 this week as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet continues work on the $130 million Watterson and U.S. 42 improvement project. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, crews will set bridge girders for the new U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) bridge that will span the interstate.
Detour schedule
Tuesday night – Wednesday morning (Sept. 8‑9): From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., eastbound I-264 traffic will be diverted onto the U.S. 42 off‑ramp at Exit 22. Drivers will cross U.S. 42 and re‑enter I‑264 east on the opposite side of the highway.
Wednesday night – Thursday morning (Sept. 9‑10): The same eastbound detour will repeat, with the left lane of I‑71 north at I‑264 closed for the work.
Thursday night – Friday morning (Sept. 10‑11): Westbound I‑264 traffic will be redirected to U.S. 42, crossing the road before returning to I‑264 west on the opposite side.
Friday night – Saturday morning (Sept. 11‑12): The westbound detour will occur again during the same overnight window.
What drivers need to know
All detours are designed to keep traffic moving while the bridge girders are installed. Motorists should follow posted signs and allow extra travel time during the overnight windows. The closures affect only the left lane of I‑71 north at I‑264 and the designated east‑ or west‑bound lanes of I‑264, depending on the night.
The Watterson Improvement Project, a major infrastructure effort, aims to modernize the interchange between I‑264, U.S. 42, and I‑71, improving safety and reducing congestion for the growing Louisville region. The project is funded by a combination of state and federal resources and is expected to be completed in phases over the coming months.
Community impact
Local businesses and residents near the interchange have been notified of the temporary changes. While the nighttime schedule minimizes disruption to daytime commuters, drivers should stay alert for signage and lane shifts. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet encourages anyone with questions to contact the project hotline at 502‑555‑0123.
By keeping the work to overnight hours, the department hopes to balance progress on this critical infrastructure with the daily needs of Louisville’s commuters and families.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
