LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thunder Over Louisville has returned with a bang to the Derby City. With sunshine and warm temperatures in the forecast, Saturday's event is bound to be a busy one. If you're headed to Thunder, here's what you need to know about traffic and parking to plan your day. 

What You Need To Know

  • There are multiple bridge closures, road closures and no parking areas to be aware of for Thunder Over Louisville

  • The LMPD has a list of Thunder Traffic Plans for attendees who need a route out of downtown Louisville after Thunder ends

  • Officials from LMPD advise those going to Thunder to plan ahead when determining a parking strategy

  • Accordng to the Kentucky Derby Festival, all routes on TARC will be will fare-free on Saturday to provide convenient, free access to and from Thunder

Traffic

Road closures began in preparation for Thunder earlier this week. Saturday, however, there are more closures to be aware of in Louisville, whether you're coming from Kentucky or Indiana for the event. 

In terms of bridge closures, the Second Street Bridge will be closed all day Saturday until 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Take an alternate bridge such as the Lincoln, Kennedy or Sherman Minton Bridge.

The Big Four pedestrian bridge will be closed until midnight Sunday.

Here's a list of the latest interstate and street closures from the Louisville Metro Police Department:

10:30 a.m. (Friday, April 22, 2022) – 2 p.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • River Road from Bingham Way to Sixth Street
  • Bingham Way from Joe’s Crab Shack/Witherspoon Street to River Road

11 a.m. (Friday, April 22, 2022) – 9 a.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Brook Street
  • Floyd Street at Washington Street closed (only open to residents)
  • River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street

Midnight (Friday April 22, 2022) – 9 a.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • Ramp from westbound Interstate 64 to Third Street (no turn on River Road)
  • Ramp from Second Street to eastbound Interstate 64

8 a.m. (Saturday, April 23, 2022) – 1 a.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • Second Street from Main Street to River Road (local access to local garages only)

9 a.m. (Saturday, April 23, 2022) – 1 a.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • (Local traffic and pass traffic will be allowed provided there are no pedestrian safety issues.)
  • River Road from Witherspoon Street to Preston Street
  • Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Ave. (local and Tow Lot traffic only)
  • Witherspoon Street from Brook Street to Second Street
  • Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Adams Street
  • Washington Street from First Street to Second Street
  • Preston Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
  • Floyd Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
  • Brook Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
  • First Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
  • Second Street from Main Street to River Road
  • Third Street from Main Street to River Road (access will be allowed to parking garages)

6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 23, 2022)

  • Ramp from Muhammad Ali Boulevard to Interstate 65 northbound
  • Ramp from Jackson Street to Interstate 65 northbound

9 p.m. (Saturday, April 23, 2022) – 1 a.m. (Sunday, April 24, 2022)

  • Market Street from Sixth Street to 10th Street will be reversed from eastbound traffic to westbound traffic

9 p.m. – end of night (Saturday, April 23, 2022)

  • Third Street from Main Street to Broadway will be one way southbound

8:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 23, 2022)

  • Interstate 65 northbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 64
  • Interstate 65 southbound from Interstate 265 (Indiana) to Interstate 64
  • Interstate 64 westbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to 22nd Street
  • Interstate 64 eastbound from Interstate 264 (Shawnee Expressway) to Interstate 65
  • Interstate 71 southbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 65 

Only authorized emergency vehicles can use the following route from 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022:

  • Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Roy Wilkins Boulevard to Clay Street
  • Second Street from Main Street to Jacob Street
  • Northbound Second Street traffic will be diverted at College Street

Check out this list of Thunder Traffic Plans from the LMPD for a route to get out of downtown Louisville after Thunder ends:

Parking

Officials from LMPD advised those going to Thunder plan ahead for parking. They recommended parking as far away as you can comfortably walk; plan on parking in areas that will get you headed in the direction you intend to go.

A list of the no parking areas designated by the LMPD can be found here. Some of the no parking areas went into effect at 10:00 a.m. Friday and will last through midnight Saturday; most will be in effect all day on Saturday.

The Kentucky Derby Festival suggested several options for parking on its website, including areas in downtown Louisville and southern Indiana.

In downtown Louisville, there are more than 52,000 public parking, off-street spaces within a 10-block walk to the Ohio River. Information about garage and lot locations can be found on Riverside Parking's website, Louisville's Parking Authority of River City website or by contacting PARC at (502) 587-PARK.

In southern Indiana, both public and private parking are available. For more information, contact the Clark/Floyd County Convention and Tourism Bureau at (812) 282-6654. There is also RV and car parking available at Water Tower Square in Jeffersonville, Ind. For more information, call (812) 288-9057.

RV and camper parking options are available in Louisville as well. KDF recommended renting space in the Blue Lot for the best views and closest parking to Thunder. Call (502) 584-2459 for more information about Riverside Parking for RVs and campers. Prices for parking are $200 to $300 per RV or camper.

According to KDF, all routes on Transit Authority of River City will be will fare-free on Saturday to provide convenient, free access to and from Thunder Over Louisville thanks to their joint sponsorship with Humana. In addition, TARC is increasing service into downtown Louisville and designating five post-event boarding areas. The service plan mirrors TARC service for Thunder in recent years with an added circulator service from Broadway at 11th Street to Shawnee Park until 11:00 p.m.

Around 10,000 passengers are expected to take TARC for the annual fireworks and air show on the river, so passengers are encouraged to visit TARC's website and use the Trip Planner on its homepage to plan ahead and know their route number and stop locations.

KDF advised attendees to bring their patience, be safe and have fun—it's a beautiful day for Thunder!

An important thing to note is that entrance to Waterfront Park does require a Pegasus Pin, which costs $6 ahead of time or $7 at the gate. The air show starts at 3 p.m. and fireworks should start at 9:30 p.m.

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