Long-term lane reductions officials have dubbed “The Big Squeeze” are expected to begin next Tuesday on Interstate 65 in Southern Indiana as part of the Ohio River Bridges Project Downtown Crossing.
I-65 North and I-65 South will be reduced from three lanes to two from the Kennedy Bridge to Brown’s Station Way, for nearly 1.5 miles.
Significant congestion and delays are expected during the closures from Sept. 2 until late 2016 when the Bridges Project is nearly finished.
Backed-up traffic is expected to impact surrounding areas including I-64, I-71 and on surface streets and ramps in Kentucky, according to a spokesperson for the project.
After September 15, there will be no direct access from I-65 North to Stansifer Avenue or Brown’s Station Way. Drivers using the Kennedy Bridge will be reduced to one lane of travel as well, but southbound travel on the bridge won’t be affected.
About 125,000 vehicles cross the Kennedy Bridge daily, with 56 percent of cross-river traffic passing between Lousville and Southern Indiana.
Project officials warn that the work will cause long delays and are advising motorists to change travel plans during peak travel times using Sherman Minton as an option as opposed to sitting in traffic on I-65.
Sources