Engineers from the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the design-build contractor have reopened the I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge in both eastbound and westbound directions. Crews completed the identified repairs and final inspections of the lateral floor beams under the top deck of the bridge early Wednesday morning, paving the way for the bridge to reopen.
“The safety of the traveling public is always at the forefront of our decision making and has remained our top priority since the bridge was closed last Friday out of an abundance of caution,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said. “We are pleased to be reopening the bridge after extensive inspections confirmed it remains a safe crossing for drivers.”
The bridge, which is undergoing long-term repair and rehabilitation, was closed Friday afternoon when lateral beams were observed to be out of alignment during removal of temporary bracing added for a concrete deck pour last Wednesday night. Crews performed round the clock operations to reopen the bridge as quickly as possible.
“The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Indiana have invested significantly in infrastructure to maintain the strategic connection between our two states,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “The safe and expeditious reopening of the Sherman Minton Bridge and the ultimate completion of the rehabilitation project later this year will benefit this region for years to come.”
All safety specifications required by KYTC, INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration were met before reopening the bridge.
With the bridge’s reopening, crews will continue work on Phase 4 of the project. As part of the work, westbound I-64 will be closed to traffic at or after 10 p.m. on Friday, March 15, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 18. This previously announced full directional closure will allow crews to work safely as they begin placement of new concrete on the top deck.
During the westbound I-64 directional closure, the I-64 westbound exit ramp to Spring Street will be closed along with the I-264 westbound to I-64 westbound ramp. While the westbound directional closure is in place, the suggested alternate route will be I-65 and I-265.
Phase 4 is the last phase of the project involving significant impacts to traffic. Phase 5, scheduled to begin late spring, will include reopening top and bottom decks of the bridge with two lanes in each direction. Lane closures will be in effect as needed until the project comes to an end this summer.
