LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet say repairs will begin Tuesday, March 12, on the Sherman Minton Bridge after finishing their inspections. They said this will reduce the closure to days, rather than weeks.
"We are pleased with the results of our thorough inspections and early analyses and the project team is focused on safely reopening the bridge to traffic in days, not weeks," said Royce Meredith, program manager with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
According to Sherman Minton Renewal, engineers with the Indiana Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet inspected the lateral floor beams under the top deck of the Sherman Minton Bridge, which closed Friday afternoon.
Lateral beams appeared out of alignment during the removal of temporary bracing added for a concrete pour Wednesday night, Sherman Minton Renewal said. Both of its lanes, as well as both decks, remain closed until further notice.
The Sherman Minton Renewal project announced the closure after discovering part of the bridge required immediate inspection and possible repair. The bridge connects Louisville and New Albany, Indiana, over the Ohio River. Engineers, consultants and the Sherman Minton Renewal design team are working to finalize inspection reports and develop designs for any repairs.
Drivers are asked to use alternate routes and designated detours. The suggested alternate route is Interstate 265 and I-65. Traffic signs and message boards will be posted in the project area, notifying motorists of the closure and alternate route.
The Sherman Minton bridge is in the middle of a major rehabilitation project that includes painting the bridge. The double-decker, 61-year-old bridge has six lanes of traffic. This is a multi-phase project that will take over “three construction seasons” to finish.