KENTUCKY — With road construction, city governments seeking residents' input and a chance to watch some of the best golfers, it's shaping up to be a busy week in Kentucky.

Martin Luther King Bridge Closure

The Martin Luther King Bridge in downtown Lexington is closed starting Monday to allow for steel armored edge repairs. The bridge runs between Main and High Streets right by the Lexington Urban County government building. The sidewalk will remain open. Drivers should find an alternate route for four days. Drivers on High Street can use either Rose Street or South Limestone to travel north. Drivers on Main Street can use either Rose Street or South Upper to travel south.

Sherman Minton

Construction work begins this week on the Sherman Minton Bridge connecting Louisville to Indiana. It's part of the Sherman Minton Renewal project. According to the project's website, ramp improvements are being made to prepare for the first phase of the rehabilitation, which will include the first half of eastbound construction on the lower deck and painting of the bridge trusses.

Ramp shoulders at the I-65/I-265 interchange and the I-64/I-265 interchange will be modified to accommodate additional traffic. I-65 and I-265 will serve as a detour route while lanes are restricted on the Sherman Minton Bridge during the construction.

The ramp improvement work should take between one to two weeks to complete. There will be nighttime lane closures during the work. Drivers should also be on the lookout for signs marking detours during ramp closures. The Sherman Minton Renewal project website says the timeline is subject to change depending on weather or other potential delays.

I-64 westbound and I-65 southbound will be reduced to two lanes in the areas described below to accommodate the additional ramp lanes merging onto the freeway.

I65/I-265 Interchange    

• I-265 east to I-65 south ramp
• I-65 south reduced to two lanes at I-265 overpass  

I-64/I-265 Interchange

• I-265 to I-64 west ramp
• I-64 east and west to I-265 ramp
• I-64 westbound reduced to two lanes at Captain Frank Road

Drivers should slow down when workers are present in the construction areas.

Louisville Metro Council discusses ARP funds

Louisville Metro Council members will start discussing how to spend $388 million from the American Rescue Plan. The budget committee will meet Tuesday to hear what the funding can and cannot be used for. The committee will meet Tuesday, July 13 at 3 p.m. No decisions about funding will be made at this meeting.

Then, the public will have a chance to weigh in on possible uses for the funding at three upcoming hearings.

"Louisville and other cities and counties across the country can make meaningful and long-lasting change with ARP funds. We want to understand the permissible uses, hear from the public about community needs and make wise funding decisions," said budget Chair Bill Hollander.

The upcoming public comment sessions are as follows:

• Saturday, July 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the ShelbyHurst Campus, Founders Union Building - Meeting Room 201 (9001 Shelbyville Rd.)
• Monday, July 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Library (9725 Dixie Highway)
• Monday, July 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at West Broadway Church of Christ (3921 West Broadway)

You can also submit input online.

Newport Comprehensive Plan

Another Kentucky city is seeking input. Newport is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan for the city. To do so, city officials want to hear from people who live and work there.

Whether you want things to stay as is, or you have ideas for change, you can share your thoughts at a NewportFORWARD Comprehensive Plan open house Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Newport's Festival Park along the Ohio River. It's part of the kickoff to Italianfest. 

You can find more information about the project here.

Barbasol Championship

If you're looking for something fun to do this week, you can check out the Barbasol Championship in Nicholasville. It's the only PGA tour in Kentucky this year. 

This year, the Barbasol Championship will offer complimentary tickets for active and retired members of the Armed Forces, veterans, first responders and educators.

Members from any branch of service and first responders can get up to four complimentary tickets for family and friends to attend. Military and First Responders Appreciation Day is Thursday. There will be additional events planned to thank those people for their service.

Since it was an unusual year for educators, Barbasol Championship is offering teachers, principals, counselors and school staff two complimentary tickets for family and friends to attend. You can reserve your free ticket or purchase one online.