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I-65 underpass closures gridlock Louisville hospital district

Louisville, KentuckyPublished 31 Aug 2026

Muhammad Ali Boulevard in downtown Louisville.
Muhammad Ali Boulevard in downtown Louisville.

Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · source

Long-term closures of Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Brook Street under I-65 backed up access to UofL Health and Norton hospitals, with crashes, police traffic control, and a delayed Broadway demolition.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet closed Muhammad Ali Boulevard and a nearby stretch of Brook Street under I-65 for the Central Corridor project, leaving two-way local access to the UofL Health parking garage. By afternoon, traffic backed up around UofL Health and Jewish Hospital; LMPD was called to Ali and Floyd around 3:45 p.m. WAVE and WDRB quoted a hospital employee on crashes outside the garage; Courier Journal quoted spokesperson David McArthur saying he was not aware of any. KYTC postponed a Wednesday Broadway underpass demolition until later in the week. WLKY reported doubled Norton commutes, a mayor-KYTC huddle, and flaggers through the rest of the week.

Shared facts

Muhammad Ali Boulevard under I-65 closed to through traffic Tuesday morning, Aug. 25.

A nearby section of Brook Street under I-65 also closed.

The Muhammad Ali and Brook Street closures are long-term for the I-65 Central Corridor project.

Muhammad Ali Boulevard was converted to two-way traffic for local access to the UofL Health parking garage.

The first day of the closures caused major traffic backups near UofL Health and Jewish Hospital.

Gridlock made it hard to enter and leave hospital parking garages, including UofL Health's.

Louisville Metro Police were called to Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Floyd Street around 3:45 p.m. after construction crews asked for traffic help.

There were multiple crashes near the hospital parking garage Tuesday afternoon.

David McArthur said UofL Health is working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to ease the congestion.

Hospital officials advised patients and employees to leave early and allow extra travel time.

KYTC is coordinating with Louisville Metro on traffic-signal timing.

Law enforcement officers or flaggers were added for morning and afternoon peak travel.

Broadway under I-65, between Brook and 1st streets, had been scheduled to close Wednesday, Aug. 26, for old-overpass demolition.

KYTC postponed the Broadway underpass closure until later in the week at the earliest.

Officials said an updated Broadway closure date would be released when available.

WAVE 3

Some street closures under I-65 postponed after traffic gridlock near UofL Health

WAVE Staff

Published 25 Aug 2026 accessed 29 Aug 2026

Facts

The Broadway-closure delay was announced just before 6 p.m.

McArthur said several adjustments are in the works to ease congestion.

Opinion

The snarls caused midday headaches.

The employee called the traffic horrible.

WDRB

New downtown Louisville road closures cause major traffic backups near hospitals

WDRB Digital Staff

Published 25 Aug 2026 accessed 29 Aug 2026

Facts

Once Broadway closes, it is expected to remain shut until mid-October.

Two lanes in each direction of I-65 reopened nearly a month earlier, three days ahead of schedule, after a nearly eight-week shutdown between downtown and I-264.

Officials did not say whether Tuesday's traffic problems played a role in the Broadway delay.

Several ramps remain closed, including Preston Street, Floyd and Magnolia on I-65 South, and the Arthur Street ramp at Exit 134.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the state does not plan another full I-65 shutdown for the remaining work.

Project officials said three bridges are still being repaired, with additional overpasses awaiting replacement or rehabilitation plans.

Officials said future overpass work is expected near Liberty, Floyd, Muhammad Ali, Jacob, Chestnut, and Muhammad Ali at Brook Street.

Officials are encouraging through traffic, especially trucks without Louisville destinations, to use posted detours.

A final completion date has not been announced.

During the earlier closure, some truck detours led to the "can opener" underpass that trucks have struck.

Opinion

A UofL Health employee described the traffic as horrible.

Louisville Courier Journal

Residents contend with increased traffic as roadways under I-65 close

Lillian Metzmeier

Published 25 Aug 2026 accessed 29 Aug 2026

Facts

McArthur said he was not aware of any crashes in the area from the extra traffic.

McArthur said KYTC is working to reposition signage boards to alert drivers of closures sooner.

A Central Corridor spokesperson echoed KYTC and LDOT efforts and said updated mapping apps will also help drivers avoid congestion.

Project spokesperson Berry Craig announced the delay in an Aug. 25 release.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

WLKY

I-65 underpass closure in downtown Louisville leads to traffic chaos near hospitals

Addie Meiners

Published 26 Aug 2026 accessed 29 Aug 2026

Facts

The underpass is not expected to reopen until October.

Tina White said people were leaving their cars and getting Ubers.

Floyd and Chestnut Streets were also gridlocked Tuesday afternoon.

Norton Healthcare workers reported their commutes doubled Tuesday afternoon.

KYTC's official detour is Floyd Street, Jefferson Street, First Street, and Chestnut Street.

Theresa Elkins said the trip home took an hour and 15 minutes instead of the usual 20 to 30 minutes.

Elkins said people were honking and yelling and that cars blocked the crosswalks so you could not get through.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said Wednesday he had discussed with KYTC how to improve the congestion.

Signage was added for detours and closures, and a traffic guard will be at Floyd Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard during rush hour.

KYTC said the project team responded to significant day-one delays with adjustments to improve traffic flow.

Additional message boards were installed to give earlier notice of the closures.

Crews restriped lanes along northbound Brook Street to Chestnut Street to improve travel near the hospital.

KYTC said these steps have improved traffic flow today.

KYTC said it will keep advising of work through emails, social media, and onsite signage so drivers can plan ahead.

Opinion

Tina White said it was very chaotic.

White said there was nowhere to go.

White said she did not know how they thought that was going to work.

Elkins said the streets were a complete parking lot in all directions.

Elkins said it was a mess.

Keondra Johnson said it was ridiculous.

Keondra Johnson said she did not know what was going on and that it was crazy.

KYTC said Team Kentucky’s main priority is to support Louisville traffic, business, and residents while improving roads and bridges.