LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Sherman Minton Bridge connecting Louisville to southern Indiana is closed indefinitely due to structural concerns.
A Sherman Minton Renewal spokeswoman announced the closure Friday just before 1:30 p.m. Both the top and bottom decks will be closed to traffic "until further notice."
The Sherman Minton is currently undergoing a large renovation project. According to a news release, a component of the bridge deck on the main span was found to need "immediate inspection and possible repair" during scheduled deck pour operations.
On Saturday morning, officials said engineers are conducting detailed inspections of the lateral floor beams under the top deck of the I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge.
"During the removal of temporary bracing added for a concrete pour Wednesday night, lateral beams were observed to be out of alignment," Sherman Minton officials said.
Ongoing inspections will allow engineers to assess any issues and determine necessary repairs to better estimate a timeline to reopen the bridge to traffic.
"A team of engineers from the state agencies, engineering consultants and the design-build team for the Sherman Minton Renewal will continue to work through the weekend to finalize inspection reports and develop designs for any necessary repairs," Sherman Minton officials said. "The Sherman Minton bridge will remain closed in both the east and westbound directions –top and bottom deck –until further evaluation is complete."
Drivers are asked to use alternate routes and designated detours. The suggested alternate route is I-265 and I-65.
Ricky Frank, owner of Mr. Nice Guys, knows the restraints a bridge shutdown can put on business.
"Initial feeling is fear," he said. "But then you gotta calmly reassure yourself that these things happen and it will not be the end of the world."
Regional traffic signs and variable message boards will be posted in the project area notifying motorists of the closure and alternate route.
Barabara Haas's winery, off Pearl Street, opened in 2021, within months of when the bridge renewal project started.
But seldom does she remember a time like this, where the timeline remains so up in the air.
"Oh, I'm definitely worried," Haas said. "I'm going from two slow, slow months, getting ready to get into business season. And now it's gonna be slow again, because the bridge is down."
She said she's already had customers cancelling reservations, including a party of 20.
The Sherman Minton Renewal is a major rehabilitation and painting project that will add up to 30 years of life to the 61-year-old bridge. The double-decked structure carries six lanes of traffic over the Ohio River.
Construction is being done in phases over the course of three construction seasons.
The fourth and final phase is supposed to start on or after Nov. 20, 2024 and last for several months according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. During that phase, two eastbound lanes and a westbound lane will be open on the bottom deck, and one westbound lane will be open on the top deck.
RELATED VIDEO