Department of Highways, District 5
PREPARATORY WORK TO BEGIN ON KENNEDY BRIDGE REPAIRS

PREPARATORY WORK TO BEGIN ON KENNEDY BRIDGE REPAIRS
Lane closures and weight restrictions necessary

Louisville, KY (May 23, 2012) – Contract crews are gearing up for repairs to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge and four ramp bridges in the Interstate 64/65 interchange.  Work is scheduled to begin this evening on installation of debris containment and work platforms under the entrance and exit ramp bridges between I-64 and I-65. 

Lane closures will be in place during the overnight hours on Interstate 64 between I-65 and I-71 (mile points 5 and 6) during this preparatory phase of construction.  Westbound I-64 will be reduced to one lane on Wednesday, May 23rd and Thursday, May 24th from 8:00 p.m. each evening until 5:00 a.m. the following morning.  After a break for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, this work will resume on the evening of May 29th.

 Next week, contract crews are scheduled to replace the bridge bearings at the piers.  In order to accommodate this work, the bridge will need to be jacked up slightly.  The effect on vehicles driving over the bridge will be barely noticeable as the deck portion will only be elevated less than an inch.  This work is scheduled to begin at midnight on Monday evening, May 28th and continue through midnight on Friday evening, June 1st.

A lane closure is necessary for delivery of materials to the work platforms underneath the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge.  The right lane of southbound I-65 will be closed across the bridge on Monday, May 28th and Tuesday, May 29th from 9:00 p.m. each evening until 5:00 a.m. the following morning.

All ramps to and from the bridge will remain open during this phase of construction.

Due to the jacking of the bridge, vehicles weighing in excess of 15 tons will be prohibited from crossing the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge.  Law enforcement officers will be in place to detour these vehicles around the construction zone. 

For southbound I-65, 15-ton or greater vehicles will need to follow the signed detour via westbound I-265 to eastbound I-64, crossing the Sherman Minton Bridge and then access I-65 in downtown Louisville.

For northbound I-65, these same vehicles will need to follow the signed detour via westbound I-264 to westbound I-64, crossing the Sherman Minton Bridge, follow to eastbound I-265 and then access I-65 in southern Indiana.

The major bridge construction will begin in mid-June with the bridge being reduced to two lanes in each direction.  The John F. Kennedy Bridge carries an average of 136,000 vehicles per day.

MAC Construction and Excavating, of New Albany, Indiana, is the contractor on this $18.2 million construction project.  Work is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 15, 2012.

For construction and traffic updates, visit http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx.  Traffic information for all eight counties in District 5 is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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