About the Bridge

A vital link between Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN

The Sherman Minton Bridge, which carries I-64 and US 150 traffic over the Ohio River between Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN is a vital link in the interstate highway system. It was the first U.S. interstate bridge built in the Louisville area. Construction began in 1959 and it opened in August 1962 – a year before the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge that now carries southbound I-65 traffic between Jeffersonville, IN and Louisville, KY.

The bridge also features an iconic design, with its double decks and twin arches. There are only a few double-decked interstate bridges in America. Others include the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati and the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan.

Opened in
1962
for Usage

Traffic is carried by
6 LANES
across the bridge

Each arch span is
800 FEET
long 

Used by
70,000
drivers a day

Bridge Repairs Timeline

As with all bridges in Indiana and Kentucky, the Sherman Minton Bridge undergoes an extensive inspection at least every two years, including a hands-on inspection of structural members.

A Legendary Namesake

The bridge is named after southern Indiana native Sherman Minton. The World War I veteran served as a U.S. senator from 1935 to 1941 and as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice from 1949 to 1956. 

During his time on the bench, Minton ruled on important civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education. He was known as a peacemaker on a divided court, so it is appropriate that his legacy is kept alive by a bridge that has connected people for more than half a century.

During the 2011 emergency closure, then U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined with Kentucky and Indiana officials to announce a commitment to repairing and reopening the bridge.

61 Years and Counting

The Sherman Minton Bridge opened to traffic on September 1, 1962, and has served as a major bi-state connection in the community for generations. Every August, we celebrate the completion of construction to spotlight the longstanding impact this crossing has had on drivers for over 61 years. The Sherman Minton Renewal project is committed to restoring the main components of the bridge and extending its life to ensure its use for years to come.