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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.
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 have a two-lane left turn configuration with signage showing lane designations for motorist movements through the intersection. The southbound left lane will proceed east on U.S. 42. The southbound right lane will be directed to I-264 West or proceed southbound on Rudy Lane.
- 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 Road to I-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.
- Future Phases: (June 2026 through Project Completion/Fall 2027)
- Future construction phasing Information will be added as the contractor finalizes schedules and work progresses beyond Phase 3.
- The overall project is anticipated to be completed by the Fall of 2027.
Traffic Impacts
Week of Sunday, Aug. 24:
- Alternating lane closures and rolling roadblocks will occur near mile marker 21 (near U.S. 42/Brownsboro Road) on I-264 east and West nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, Aug. 24, through Wednesday, Aug. 27. The overnight alternating lane closures and rolling roadblocks are necessary for contract crews to remove overhead signage.
- U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) eastbound is currently reduced to one through lane west of Rudy Lane, and U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) westbound is currently reduced to one through lane at Northfield Drive. Turning movements from U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) to I-264 East and West on-ramps are not affected. These traffic control measures are expected to remain in place through the reconstruction of the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) bridge over I-264 (Watterson Expressway).
- Traffic is currently shifted to the outside shoulders on I-264 East and West (Watterson Expressway) between KY 1447 (Westport Road) and I-71.
Efforts Underway to Minimize Traffic Impacts for I-264 Widening and Improvement Project:
Current and planned efforts to reduce work zone traffic impacts in the area include:
- Adjusting traffic signal timing to allow more traffic through the corridor during peak times.
- Using new radar-based vehicle detectors and live monitoring of traffic flow at select signals, which can better ensure vehicles “trip the light” and signals can be adjusted in real-time to reduce vehicle wait times and improve traffic flow.
- Expanding left-turn lane space at the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) and Rudy Lane intersection to relieve congestion and prevent backups, improve intersection efficiency and reduce bottlenecks during high-volume periods.
- Deploying law enforcement at the U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) and Rudy Lane intersection to assist with traffic management.
- Enhancing pavement markings and installing additional signage along the corridor to clearly convey lane shifts, signal phases, and traffic pattern changes.
- Maintaining a project website and traffic alert signups to keep everyone informed through both the U.S. 42 interchange rebuild and subsequent construction work over the next year.
The U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) lane reduction is necessary to maintain traffic across the U.S. 42 bridge over I-264 while it’s demolished and rebuilt – one half at a time. The work is an early and critical phase in preparing the corridor for added interstate capacity. Once complete, the project will deliver long-term improvements including safer travel, increased capacity, and reduced congestion.
Blasting Information:
Letters with instructions on how to schedule an inspection were sent to residences and structures within 500 feet of a potential blast site. Map of blasting radius: 
I-264 and I-71 Blasting Radius.png
Blasting operations are performed in accordance with standards of state regulations and are carefully designed and implemented to prevent damage to residential homes or properties. The purpose of conducting the preblast inspection is to have an unbiased, third-party reference of existing conditions prior to the beginning of the blasting.
If your residence or structure is within 500 feet of a potential blast site (as shown on the map above), please follow the instructions in the letter you received to schedule an inspection. The contractor is covering all costs, so the inspection is completely free to you. While participation is voluntary, it is highly recommended. As noted in the letter, the deadline to schedule an inspection is August 22, 2025. No appointments will be available after this date, as blasting operations are expected to begin on or after Monday, Aug. 25.
Intermittent roadblocks will be necessary during blasting operations. Roadblocks are possible for up to 20 minutes once daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are expected to begin on or after Monday, Aug. 25, near the I-264/I-71 interchange. Motorists should use caution when traveling through active work zones. Signage will be in place to alert drivers of construction zones.
***Motorists are encouraged to sign up for press release notifications via email or text alerts to receive the latest information regarding traffic impacts.***
