About the I-264/U.S. 42 Improvement Project
The I-264/U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) improvement project is a $130 million infrastructure investment to enhance safety, improve mobility, and support future growth in Louisville. The nearly three-year project includes reconstructing the I-264/U.S. 42 interchange to a single-point urban interchange (SPUI), widening and pavement upgrades on I-264 between KY 1447 (Westport Road) and I-71, the rebuilding and widening of the U.S. 42 bridge over I-264, and the addition of new two-lane ramps from I-264 eastbound to I-71 northbound and from I-264 westbound to KY 1447 (Westport Road). A new two-lane on-ramp will also be added at U.S. 42 to I-264 westbound to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. This project will also include: roadway improvements on KY 22 from just before Warrington Way to just before Herr Lane, intersection improvements at U.S. 42 and Rudy Lane, and multi-use pathways.
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I-264/U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) Interchange Reconstruction
The I-264/U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) interchange will be reconstructed to a single-point urban interchange (SPUI). A single-point urban interchange (SPUI) is a grade-separated highway interchange where a single signalized intersection controls traffic flow.
The design allows for left-turning vehicles coming from opposing directions to turn simultaneously, without crossing paths. This enhances safety by reducing the number of places where vehicles cross paths and improves efficiency by allowing more vehicles to drive through the intersection during a signal cycle.
The SPUI (pronounced SPOO-EE) can be designed as an overpass or an underpass. It consists of:
- one signalized intersection,
- a main road, and
- four freeway ramps that all begin or end at the single, signalized intersection.
In a SPUI, traffic signals at the main intersection guide all left-turning and straight-forward moving vehicles. Vehicles turning right are guided by stop or yield signs, away from the main intersection.
SPUIs are also known as:
- Urban Interchanges
- Single Point Interchanges (SPI)
- Single Point Diamond Interchanges (SPDI)
Benefits of SPUI:
- Enhanced safety – vehicles cross paths at only one location within a SPUI, which reduces the risk of potential vehicle crashes as compared to a conventional intersection.
- Increased efficiency— traffic signals at SPUIs operate in three phases as opposed to four phases at conventional interchanges, which increases “green light” times and reduces delays.
- Increased capacity – the SPUI design allows for left turns to occur simultaneously and at higher speeds, which increases the number of vehicles that can travel through the intersection.
- Fewer traffic signals – the SPUI channels traffic into one intersection, as opposed to two intersections like in a conventional interchange. Fewer intersections mean fewer traffic signals, which also means fewer delays for drivers.
- Reduced right-of-way impacts – SPUIs have a smaller footprint than conventional interchanges, which reduces the impact on the environment and nearby businesses and residences.
Additional information on single-point urban interchanges here.
Widening of I-264 and U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road)
I-264 (Watterson Expressway) will be widened from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction from mile point 21.1 to mile point 22.7 (from KY 1147/Westport Road to the I-264/I-71 interchange).
U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) will be widened from Rudy Lane to Glenview Avenue.
Bridge Reconstruction
The project includes reconstructing the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) bridge over I-264 to accommodate the increased highway capacity. Additionally, the bridge carrying the I-71 southbound ramp from I-264 over the I-71 northbound and southbound ramps will be widened to accommodate the widening of I-264 (Watterson Expressway).
Project Development Phase and Public Input
Additional information on the Project Development phase, including public input, planning, design, environmental review, and funding allocation here.
Phasing Information for Construction
Construction will be completed in multiple phases over a three-year period. Specific details regarding traffic impacts are listed online and shared via a weekly update.
- Phase 1A – Preliminary Work:
Nightly lane closures (traffic reduced to one lane) | 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. - Milling of all existing rumble strips on the outside shoulders on I-264 between Westport Road and I-71
- Setting barrier walls for shifting traffic to the outside shoulders to work in the middle lanes
- Two 11-foot lanes will be maintained during all construction phases
- Removal of median on U.S. 42 bridge
- Phase 1: (July 2025 Through January 2026)
Daily/nightly lane closures during non-peak travel times and weekend work are to be expected - Continue with the removal of the median on the U.S. 42 bridge
- Southbound Rudy Lane will be reduced to one left turn lane (from its current two-lane configuration)
- Northbound KY 22 at the intersection of U.S. 42 curb to be removed, and the remaining northbound lane to be converted to a left-thru-right turn lane.
- Striping removal to construct temporary striping
- Eastbound U.S. 42 will be reduced to one lane through Rudy Lane
- Westbound U.S. 42 will be reduced to one through lane with the right lane signed as a right turn only to the eastbound I-264 ramp
- Traffic on the U.S. 42 bridge will be shifted to the south side to accommodate bridge demolition
- I-264 on-ramps from U.S. 42 will be reduced to one lane to accommodate a reduction in turn lanes
- Phase 2/3: (July 2025 Through June 2026)
Daily/nightly lane closures during non-peak travel times and weekend work are to be expected Nightly closures of I-264 are to be anticipated for the demolition of the U.S. 42 bridge over the interstate.
Traffic will be shifted to the outside shoulders on I-264 from Westport to 71.
U.S. 42 bridge will be reduced to one thru lane in each direction during the reconstruction/widening of the bridge.
Work will begin on the I-71 northbound and southbound ramps.
Traffic Impacts
