Want to drive on I-65 through Louisville this summer? Good luck with that. A five-mile section is closed for major repair and construction work. If all goes according to plan, it’ll reopen on August 1. This could cause major traffic disruptions, delays, and vehicle accidents. If you’re injured in a vehicle accident caused by this project, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Is Happening on I-65?
A major part of Interstate 65 in Louisville is closed to all traffic. The area is between the Watterson Expressway (Interstate 264) and downtown Louisville. This will allow road repair and the replacement of three bridges built in the 1950s, according to the state’s Transportation Cabinet. They’ve reached the end of their useful life, and constant repair and upgrades no longer make sense.
Where Will Traffic Go?
It’s estimated that about 111,000 vehicles normally travel through this part of I-65 daily, reports Louisville Public Media (LPM). With the road closed, all of that traffic will need to find other ways through the city.
The main detour sends traffic onto I-264/Watterson Expressway. From there, drivers can connect to I-64 heading east to reach downtown Louisville. To help handle the extra vehicles, some ramps along I-264 will be temporarily widened during the closure.
The detour may add significant extra time and distance to your trip. Before the shutdown, a six-mile trip on I-65 from the Watterson Expressway to East Market Street might have taken about eight minutes outside of rush hour. That may now take about 20 minutes on the detour, and the distance is 12 miles longer, according to LPM. This summer, more drivers will use local roads instead of the highways to get around Louisville.
How Do Accidents Happen in Highway Construction Zones?
Construction zones on highways are dangerous places for workers, drivers, and passengers. The American Traffic Safety Services Association reports that in 2023:
- 899 people died in road and highway work zones
- That includes 82 workers, 705 vehicle drivers, and passengers
- There were about 39,000 related injuries
Construction zones change the road in ways that can surprise drivers, especially those who are distracted. Lanes can narrow and shift without much warning. Traffic can slow or stop very suddenly. In 2022, the following facts apply to fatal work zone traffic accidents, according to the Federal Highway Administration:
- 21% of crashes involved a rear-end collision. That type of crash happens when a driver is going too fast to stop in time if traffic slows ahead, or the driver is too distracted, fatigued, impaired, or asleep to understand what’s going on
- Commercial motor vehicles were involved in 30% of these accidents. They need extra space to slow down and navigate through narrow work zone lanes. If they’re speeding, there may not be enough time or space to safely slow down or stop to prevent a crash
- Speeding was a factor in 32% of collisions
If you’re in a work zone accident, it’s not just other drivers who may be to blame. The contractor responsible for the worksite may have been negligent, or the area may have been negligently designed or maintained to prioritize traffic flow or cost savings over safety.
Will More Traffic on Detour Routes Increase the Risk of Crashes?
The biggest risk in vehicle crashes is volume. When there are more vehicles and drivers, the likelihood increases that someone’s mistake will affect at least one other vehicle.
With I-65 closed, it’s estimated that more than 100,000 vehicles per day will be pushed onto routes that don’t normally accommodate them: I-264, I-64, and local streets. Normally calm intersections can become backed up and hard to get through. Drivers who are stuck in unexpected traffic may feel stressed or rushed, which often leads to mistakes behind the wheel.
Many may try to speed to make up for time lost due to construction-related traffic problems. Speeding gives a driver less time to react, increases the risk of a collision, and, if one occurs, the resulting injuries will likely be more severe.
What Can I Do to Stay Safe?
If you’ll be driving in, around, or through the impacted area this summer, here are some suggestions to help keep you and others safe:
- Plan ahead. Check the detour roads ahead of time so you know where you are going. This may prevent the need for quick decisions in heavy traffic, which may distract you from safe driving
- Give yourself extra time. Budget more time to reach your destination. As time passes, how the I-65 shut down affects the area will become better known, so you’ll have a better idea of the best route to take and how long a trip will take
- Put your phone away. Distracted driving is one of the main causes of crashes. Keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel is especially important when traffic patterns are not what you’re used to
- Obey the posted speed limits, especially in work zones. The faster you drive, the less time and space you’ll have to slow down, stop, or steer out of an accident
- Avoid peak travel times when possible. Morning and evening rush hours could be much more congested than normal on detour routes. If your schedule allows, travel earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the worst of the traffic. This summer may also be a good time to ask to work from home, so commuting is no longer an issue
The I-65 Central Corridor Project should make I-65 and its bridges more reliable and safer for decades to come. But this summer, getting from Point A to Point B may be more dangerous.
Contact Us Today
Whether you’re injured in a work zone accident or a surviving family member of someone killed in a crash, the Fleck Firm is here to help you. Contact The Fleck Firm today at (270) 446-7000 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one, too.
