LOUISVILLE, Ky. — I-71 South in Louisville, which has been closed for resurfacing between the Watterson Expressway and the Gene Snyder Freeway, reopened at 5 a.m. on Saturday, two days ahead of schedule.
“We are pleased to announce that I-71 will reopen this morning, ahead of schedule,” Matt Bullock, chief district engineer of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 in Louisville, said.
The interstate had been closed since Sept. 16, and was expected to remain closed until Monday morning, Sept. 26.
In August, the cabinet announced the $7.6 million asphalt resurfacing project.
Northbound lanes remained open, but the closure of the southbound lanes allowed contractors to complete more extensive repairs to the base of the roadway. The project had crews removing thousands of feet of pavement in one lane, measuring about six inches deep.
"We had a pretty good feeling we were going to get done early anyway," Bullock said.
When asked what helped crews' work run smoothly, he said they got lucky with great weather, but added they did encounter machine-breakdowns.
Bullock said being able to pave two-lanes at once, leaves drivers with a longer lasting road.
"From a visual standpoint it looks beautiful," he said. "It's really smooth, it runs smooth."
It gets the seal of approval from drivers too, many of whom, say it was worth the wait.
"I'm pretty satisfied. As I say, if potholes are filled and the median and roads are smoother, I think it's great," Cindy Morguelan, who lives near the construction, said. "If you knew you were going from point-a-to-point-b, it did take a little bit of time, but I expected [I-71] to be shutdown for a few more weeks."
Bullock said while the majority of that work is done, pockets of development will continue between the Watterson Expressway and Gene Snyder Freeway, though crews will only work at night.
“The contractor, Louisville Paving Co., worked tirelessly to complete this vital work. For motorists, thank you for your patience, and we are confident you will appreciate the finished product,” Bullock said.
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