Lane closures starting on Kennedy Bridge ahead of renovation project

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Lane closures are starting on the Kennedy Bridge ahead of a renovation project that includes replacing four expansion joints.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced the closures Tuesday, saying in a press release that the southbound Interstate 65 span’s left lane and left shoulder are closed. More lane restrictions are likely as workers install a platform beneath the bridge.

The $6.9 million project is expected to begin in mid-July. In January, the state selected Hall Contracting of Kentucky for the work after it submitted the lowest bid.

The 1960s-era bridge connecting Louisville and Jeffersonville, Ind., was converted to one-way traffic during the Ohio River Bridges Project a decade ago. It is one of three tolled bridges in the RiverLink system.

As part of the bridges project, the Kennedy got a $22 million makeover that included a new roadway surface and finger joints, which resemble clasped fingers and let the concrete deck expand and contract.