I-65 Pavement Rehabilitation, Jefferson County, Kentucky

The I-65 Pavement Rehabilitation project in Jefferson County, Kentucky, consisted work on pavement and bridge rehabilitation. The work was done on approximately 3.4 miles of I-65 from south of the Fern Valley Road Interchange to north of the Watterson Expressway (I-264) Interchange. Additionally, it included removal and replacement of concrete with asphalt pavement, and rehabilitation of 17 of the bridges within the project limits. The daily traffic flow was more than 164,000 vehicles. Therefore, traffic was maintained through the project during construction.

Plans detailed to reduce the number of through lanes for a maximum 30-day period with work on the northbound and southbound sides either simultaneously or independently. Hence, specific local events (e.g. Kentucky State Fair) limited the dates for the 30-day closure. Moreover, project included coordination to disseminate information on work schedule and traffic flow changes.

Important facts about the I-65 Pavement Rehabilitation project:

• Fast Track Design Schedule
• Extensive Temporary Traffic Control Plans
• Remove 3.16 miles multi-lane concrete pavement, stabilize subgrade and place new asphalt pavement – maintain existing outside concrete shoulders
• Maintain minimum of 3 through lanes in 5 lane sections and 2 lanes in 3 lane sections
• A + B bidding with a disincentive ($200,000 per day for NB and $485,000 per day for SB)
• Prepared full-size mylars for roadway work and details for proposal on rehabilitation work for 17 bridges
• Upgraded guardrail, end treatments and connections to bridges and corrected substandard drainage conditions at several locations
• Included re-grading and sealing of all DGA shoulders

Studies conducted by DLZ

DLZ conducted study of two ramp/merge conditions for possible Practical Solution improvements (CORSIM used to model traffic). The aim is to use the study to support the plans to reconfigure and restripe four ramps. In addition, DLZ conducted an Interchange Justification Study for possible closure of a loop ramp from Preston Highway to Ramp between I-65 NB and I-264 EB.