About the I-71 Widening Project
The I-71 widening and improvement project is a $50 million infrastructure investment to enhance safety and improve mobility along one of Louisville's most critical travel corridors. The two-year project, focused on increasing traffic capacity and safety, will enhance regional connectivity, provide reliable travel for years to come, and support economic growth. The interstate project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2027.
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Widening and Pavement Upgrades/Rehabilitation
The work zone will extend along a 2-mile section of I-71. During construction, traffic along the current two lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times as crews widen the interstate to six lanes and make pavement improvements from the I-65/I-71 interchange near Frankfort Avenue to the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange.
Bridge Reconstruction
The project includes the demolition and reconstruction of I-71 bridges. Additionally, a latex overlay will be applied to the I-71 bridge over I-64 at mile point 0.3 to extend its service life.
Additional Improvements
The project includes additional enhancements, including a multi-use path on Zorn Avenue between the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange and Mellwood Avenue, as well as the installation of a median treatment at the Zorn Avenue and Mellwood Avenue intersection to improve safety and define traffic movements.
Traffic Impacts
Overnight single lane closures are scheduled on Interstate 71 in Louisville for six nights beginning Thursday, March 19, as contract crews perform pavement repairs along the I-71 Widening and Improvement Project corridor.
Traffic is currently shifted to the outside shoulders on both northbound and southbound I-71 to provide crews adequate space to safely prepare for future widening work. Beginning Thursday, March 19, contract crews will remove the existing temporary asphalt and install new pavement in the right lanes between the I-65/I-71 interchange near Frankfort Avenue and the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange.
Overnight closures of the right lane on I-71 North:
- From 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to 5 a.m. Friday, March 20
- From 8 p.m. Friday, March 20, to 5 a.m. Saturday, March 21
- From 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 23
Overnight closures of the right lane on I-71 South:
- From 8 p.m. Monday, March 23, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 24
- From 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 25
- From 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 26
These repairs are intended to improve ride quality for motorists. Recent heavy rainfall and fluctuating temperatures caused the asphalt pavement to deteriorate prematurely.
