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Is 'Shermageddon' over? Sherman Minton Bridge renewal project rounds corner

KYTC officials estimate the six-year project added approximately thirty years of life to the bridge.
The Sherman Minton Renewal Team said their last major project is hanger cable replacement.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After being under construction for six years, a project meant to extend the life of a bridge connecting Louisville to southern Indiana is finally over.

The final phase of the Sherman Minton Renewal project is now complete. On Tuesday, officials announced all six lanes on both decks of the bridge are open to traffic.

The last step of stage five of the renewal project is a final inspection in mid-to-late January. Short-term, single-lane closures will be required to ensure the safety of both the inspection team and drivers.

“To the tens of thousands of drivers who rely on this critical piece of infrastructure for their daily commutes, thank you for your continued patience during this complex construction project,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “It’s no small feat to fully design and safely refurbish a bridge like the Sherman Minton, especially under live traffic while maintaining as much access as possible. The safety of drivers and construction crews guided our decision-making from start to finish.”

The construction process included replacing or rehabilitating bridge decks, structural steel elements and hanger cables, repairing drainage systems, adding new lighting, and painting. 

The following materials were used on the project:

  • 3.8 million pounds of reinforcing steel or rebar
  • 10,000 cubic yards of concrete
  • 502,000 pounds of stringer beams—new steel beams under the bridge deck
  • 128 new hanger cables, totaling 162,000 pounds and 9,980 feet, between the arches and bridge deck

 “The Sherman Minton Renewal is necessary to preserve this national interstate and vital community link by keeping our infrastructure in a good state of repair, so drivers have a safe and sound connection to what matters most,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “The work of our design-build team will add up to 30 years of life to this bridge, which translates to improved quality of life for Kentuckians and all those who rely on it.” 

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