LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For ambulance drivers, seconds count.
A two-week closure of Interstate 64 has EMS and ambulance drivers needing to find detours — hopefully without adding time to their trips. All lanes on I-64 Westbound from the Watterson Expressway to Story Avenue closed last Friday, with traffic diverting to I-264.
The I-64 closure may be considered an inconvenience for the average driver, but for anyone behind the wheel of an ambulance or EMS vehicle, the stakes are higher.
“We staff three ambulances 24 hours a day,” Lt. Col. Jacob Carroll told Spectrum News 1.
Carroll started his EMS career driving an ambulance and says in the event of a major shutdown, his drivers study detours and alternate routes.
“Our crews, whenever they are learning this area, a lot of our employees are from this area, so they are familiar with the interstate system,” Carroll added.
Carroll is also the Assistant Chief of EMS and says on any given call, they may transport to Baptist, Norton Brownsboro, Norton Childrens or other downtown hospitals, many places that will be most affected by the current I-64 closure.
“Seconds matter whether it’s a heart attack, stroke, somebody in cardiac arrest those seconds do count,” Carroll said. Carroll says Jeffersontown Fire & EMS may have three transfers to UofL Hospital during a single shift or none at all.
Regardless, his drivers have all routes either memorized or at their fingertips. “I think it is a significant closure. I think with our ability to make contingency plans and adapt to those, it’s not going to impact our operations, significantly.”
The closure is expected to end on June 16, but inclement weather may push back completion. The I-64 project includes resurfacing pavement and replacing guardrails.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding drivers to be aware of the work and prepared for some delays.