LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Sherman Minton Renewal Project is moving along as preparations for bridge painting are scheduled to begin this week. According to a release from the project, the painting portion "will not only give the structure an attractive new finish but will also protect the bridge for many years to come."

Lane restrictions will be in place for eastbound and westbound directions on the Sherman Minton for crews to secure rigging for painting platforms. One lane daytime restrictions will be used with two lane restrictions possible at night. Painting, beginning on the upper truss, will occur during all phases of the project.

A canopy will be placed above the westbound deck, creating a roof-like appearance above the upper deck of the bridge. The release said this canopy system will provide painters a "safe working platform and protect vehicles from falling debris." 

The first step of the painting process includes blasting the steel to make sure the surface is free of existing paint and rust. There will be one coat of primer followed by an intermediate coat and then the finish coat, which will add color and a final layer of protection from the environment.

Wondering how many gallons of paint it'll take to cover the bridge? The project announced its "Guess the Gallons" contest, which invites the public to guess the number of gallons needed to paint the finish coat. Six winners will receive a $100 gift card to one of the participating restaurants surrounding the bridge, including West Louisville’s The Table, Sweet Peaches and Lucretia’s Kitchen, and New Albany’s Board and You Bistro, MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen and The Exchange Pub + Kitchen. The contest closes Aug. 16, 2021.

The rehabilitation project is expected to add up to 30 years of life to the 59-year-old Sherman Minton. Construction will take place over three construction seasons and cost roughly $137 million.