Sherman Minton Bridge to reopen Monday
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The Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said this week the Sherman Minton Bridge is expected to reopen to traffic on Monday.
The bridge, which carries I-64 and US-150 over the Ohio River between New Albany and Louisville, was closed on July 27 for emergency repairs.
The double-deck bridge has been undergoing a major rehabilitation as part of the Sherman Minton Renewal project, a joint effort between the two states. Construction began in late summer 2021 and is expected to take three years to complete.
The bridge was closed out of an abundance of caution after crews discovered a problem with a bridge bearing that supports the upper deck of the Kentucky Approach Bridge.
“The Sherman Minton Bridge is an important asset for this region, and that’s why Indiana and Kentucky are investing in a project that will ensure it is safe and sound for decades to come,” Royce Meredith with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said in a news release. “However, it is a 60-year-old bridge with unique elements, so materials are not always readily available. Our teams have done a great job moving quickly.”
INDOT said some materials for the repair were shipped from as far away as Texas.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen prior to the morning rush hour on Monday. Until the work is completed on the emergency repair, drivers are advised to use alternate routes and designated detours.
When complete, the overall Sherman Minton Renewal project is expected add up to 30 years of life to the bridge. The goal is to address structural deficiencies, replace or refurbish all bridge decks and apply a fresh coat of paint.