I-65 Central Corridor Project
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About the I-65 Central Corridor Project
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's I-65 Central Corridor Project will replace aging bridges on the heavily traveled I-65 corridor between I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and the Muhammad Ali Boulevard interchange in downtown Louisville.
As part of the project, two of the four lanes on I-65 along a five-mile section between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) in both directions will be closed until the construction is completed.
This webpage provides information on how the project will impact travel to/from Belknap and Health Science Center campuses, university operations, events, parking, etc. Information on this webpage will be updated regularly.
University Operations
The Belknap and Health Sciences Center campuses will remain open and conduct business as usual per normal operating hours. Construction may cause delays for those traveling to and from both campuses. Employees should allow extra travel time and check local traffic updates before leaving and use alternate routes when possible. Employees should notify their supervisors if they have questions. Managers and supervisors who have questions about specific situations may contact their respective Human Resources Business Partner or email hrbpsvcs@louisville.edu for assistance.
Classes
Throughout the construction project, classes will continue to meet as shown in the schedule of classes. Instructors should clearly communicate attendance expectations, assignment requirements and any scheduling details to students.
HSC Campus Trainees, Patients and Visitors
The I-65 Central Corridor project will increase surface street traffic and change walking routes at UofL's Health Sciences Center Campus. In addition, the Chestnut Street corridor and other downtown street projects may involve lane shifts, sidewalk detours and intermittent access changes near HSC buildings, hospitals and clinics. All facilities remain open, but HSC employees, visitors and patients should allow extra travel time, follow posted detours and pedestrian signage and monitor clinical facilities' communications for ongoing updates.
Events
All events scheduled to take place during the construction, including new student orientation, camps, lectures, etc., will proceed as scheduled. Event sponsors are in direct contact with registrants about access, parking and other logistics that may be impacted by the construction.
Travel
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is an agency partner with Waze, a free GPS navigation app with real-time traffic updates. Download Waze on the Apple Store or Google Play.
Project administrators emphasize patience throughout the construction, especially in August and January, when traffic increases due to students arriving on campus, visitors attending UofL-sponsored events and Louisville-area elementary and high schools beginning their academic semesters. While every measure has been taken to redirect traffic as efficiently as possible, heavy traffic on the expressways and surface streets will be heavy.
Please familiarize yourself with the information posted on the I-65 Central Corridor project website. The website includes maps and detours, traffic and news updates, FAQs and more. You may also sign up to receive text and email alerts on this website.
Directions to UofL
- Take I-65 South to Exit 136C, Jefferson Street Downtown.
- Stay right on the ramp for Jefferson Street.
- Turn left onto South Third Street and continue straight south for about 2 miles.
- Access Belknap campus from Cardinal Boulevard.
- Follow the signed detour for westbound I-264 (Watterson Expressway).
- Exit onto KY-1020; Southern Parkway; Third Street (Exit 10).
- Turn right (north) at the bottom of the exit onto Southern Parkway.
- Southern Parkway becomes Third Street, which will take you directly to UofL’s Belknap Campus.
- From I-64 eastbound, merge onto I-264 eastbound.
- Exit onto Crittenden Drive (Exit 11)
- Turn right off the exit ramp heading north on Crittenden Drive.
- Turn left onto Central Avenue.
- Take the first right off Central Avenue onto South Floyd Street.
- From I-64 westbound, merge onto I-264 westbound.
- Exit onto Crittenden Drive (Exit 11)
- Turn right off the exit ramp heading north on Crittenden Drive.
- Turn left onto Central Avenue.
- Take the first right off Central Avenue onto South Floyd Street.
- Follow the signed detour from southbound I-65 to Exit 136C, Jefferson Street Downtown.
- Stay in the left lane of the ramp for Brook Street.
- At the end of the ramp, follow Brook St. one block to East Market Street and turn right.
- Go one block on East Market Street to South Floyd Street and turn right again.
- Continue four blocks south on South Floyd Street to reach the middle of the HSC campus.
- Take I-71 or I-64 to southbound I-65.
- Take Exit 136C, Jefferson Street Downtown.
- Stay in the left lane of the ramp for Brook Street.
- At the end of the ramp, follow Brook Street one block to East Market Street and turn right.
- Go one block on East Market Street to South Floyd Street and turn right again.
- Continue four blocks south on South Floyd Street to reach the middle of the HSC campus.
- Follow the signed detour for westbound I-264 (Watterson Expressway) from northbound I-65 to westbound I-264 (Watterson Expressway/Georgia Davis Powers Expressway).
- Follow westbound I-264 (Georgia Davis Powers Expressway) to eastbound I-64.
- Follow eastbound I-64 to the southbound I-65 detour to downtown Louisville.
- Take Exit 136C, Jefferson Street Downtown.
- Stay in the left lane of the ramp for Brook Street.
- At the end of the ramp, follow Brook Street one block to East Market Street and turn right.
- Go one block on East Market Street to South Floyd Street and turn right again.
- Continue four blocks south on South Floyd Street to reach the middle of the HSC campus.
Transportation
TARC
During the corridor project, expect delays and some missed stops along TARC routes #2, #19, #21, #23, #31, #43 and #99 through the end of the construction project. See the TARC website for details on missed stops for each route and nearest/alternative stops.
Carpool
University of Louisville Parking and Transportation offers a carpool-matching service that helps you save money, reduce pollution, ease traffic congestion, build community and reduce parking problems for everyone. Find out more on the Carpooling website.
Biking
Biking to campus is a healthy and environmentally sustainable way to beat this summer's traffic jams. See the Biking website for information on safety, the UofL Bikeshare program and more. The UofL Sustainability website also has great information about what you should know about biking to UofL.