On- and off-ramps for Arthur, Floyd, Magnolia and Preston streets officially open
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2026) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced that, as of today, three Interstate 65 ramps in Louisville have reopened to traffic as Team Kentucky continues significant progress on the I-65 Central Corridor project. The three major ramp arteries include the on-ramp to southbound I-65 from Magnolia, Floyd and Preston streets; the off-ramp from southbound I-65 to Arthur Street (Exit 134); and the on-ramp from Preston Street to northbound I-65.
“Team Kentucky is working hard to make I-65 safer for every driver while also delivering results quickly so that Louisville residents can get back to their regular commutes,” said Gov. Beshear. “From reopening I-65 between the Watterson Expressway and downtown ahead of schedule this past summer to ensuring no further major interstate closures and now reopening these ramps, we are making progress to get this work done for this great city.”
With the three reopenings, new traffic patterns have shifted drivers back to southbound I-65 from the temporary use of the northbound lanes. Additional reopenings are expected in the coming months, including the off-ramp from southbound I-65 to St. Catherine Street (Exit 135).
The three ramps closed in June 2026 for adjacent bridge construction as part of the overall I-65 Central Corridor project. In total, there are nine bridges being upgraded as part of the ambitious I-65 project. The first three bridges are expected to be completed in March 2027, and those include bridges over Kentucky and Brook Streets; Hill Street, a CSX railroad and Burnett Avenue; and Bradley Avenue.
Work is underway to upgrade the six remaining bridges along a one-mile stretch of I-65. Those are the I-65 bridges over Liberty Street, Floyd Street, Chestnut Street, Jacob Street/Broadway/Gray Street, Muhammad Ali Boulevard/Brook Street (known locally as “Hospital Curve”) and the First Street/Liberty Street on ramp over Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
Through truck traffic will continue to be diverted to Interstate 264, except for trucks that have a downtown destination, which can use I-65. Starting next summer, one interstate lane will remain open in each direction in the downtown area. The 5-mile stretch between the Watterson Expressway and downtown will continue to have two lanes in each direction open until next May. From May 2027 through late 2028, a shorter one-mile section of I-65 near downtown will be adjusted to one lane in each direction.
Today’s news comes after the Governor joined state and local officials in September to share an updated construction plan that puts Louisville residents first and supports traffic flow. That announcement followed the early completion of construction on I-65 between the Watterson Expressway and downtown.
Staying Informed
Project information and updates can be found at I65CentralCorridor.com. While on the site, users can sign up to have project and traffic updates delivered to their inboxes or by text to their phones.
Project updates are shared on KYTC District 5 (D5) Facebook and X pages.
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