LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Days before the Sherman-Minton bridge is set to re-open, changes on Interstate 64 are creating a lot of problems and frustration.
Right now, only the left lane can exit off of I-64 onto I-265. Drivers say they were caught off guard by the changes and that it's adding at least 20 to 30 minutes to their commutes.
Drivers we spoke with wanted to know why the change had to happen right now. So, we took those questions straight to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
INDOT spokesman, Will Wingfield says they want to traffic to flow without delay once the bridge is ready to re-open. So, they're doing all the prep work right now, like pavement stripping.
"Pavement stripping is a weather dependent activity. You need a certain degree of temperatures, you need warmer temperatures so the paint does not freeze, so you also need dry pavements...We wanted to make sure we could get that done before the bridge opened," Wingfield said.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will start removing concrete barriers on the bridge Friday morning to prepare for the re-opening. The Sherman-Minton could open back up as early as next week, but no solid date has been set.
KYTC will start taking bids on deck repairs on the John F. Kennedy Bridge on Friday, Feb. 24. Work on that project won't begin until after Memorial Day. The Kennedy Bridge will not be completely shut down while that work is completed.
