Kennedy Interchange - Redesign and Reconstruction Plans

Redesign and Reconstruction Plans

On October 27, 2005, the original plans for a redesign for the Kennedy Interchange were revealed by the QK4 engineering firm. The $1.1 billion project entails rebuilding the I-64, I-65 and I-71. This is part of the $2.46 billion Ohio River Bridges Project that will build a parallel I-65 span and a new I-265 crossing by 2020.

The new downtown span and the redesigned interchange will be a change from the existing setup.

Changes slated for the Spaghetti Junction, Downtown Bridges Project:

• I-64 will feature two lanes in each direction rather than being funneled into one lane.
• Widening the shoulders to 12 feet.
• Building new I-65 overpasses in the downtown at Brook, Floyd and Chestnut streets to make the spaces beneath brighter and more attractive to pedestrians and bikers. New landscaping would also be placed.
• Adding a new interchange along I-71 for Frankfort Avenue, creating a new access point for Butchertown.

The new Kennedy Interchange project will take 15 years to complete.