The New Dixie Highway Project:
A better roadway for Southwest Louisville
LATEST NEWS
Traffic pattern change on New Dixie Highway Project
Median work to begin from I-264 to Crums Lane
(July 18, 2019) – Crews on The New Dixie Highway Project have completed construction of drainage structures, curbs, gutters and wider sidewalks between Herbert Avenue and Crums Lane. The next phase of work for this area begins tomorrow with the installation of concrete medians.
Beginning tomorrow, Friday, July 19, the left lanes of Dixie Highway will be closed in each direction between Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) and Crums Lane. This change in traffic pattern will continue for approximately three weeks. Left turn access for motorists will be maintained at Garrs Lane.
Also, the exit ramp from I-264 West to Dixie Highway (Exit 8B) will be reduced to one lane during the median construction.
By installing medians, The New Dixie Highway Project will restrict mid-block left turns – and guide drivers to turn at signalized intersections or designated U-turn points. Installing medians is both the most transformative part of The New Dixie Highway project – but also the most dangerous for workers because they will be working in the middle of the roadway with traffic on both sides.
“Safety is our first priority, and in the long run, medians will prevent accidents,” said John Callihan, project manager of The New Dixie Highway Project. “But in the short-term, this is a dangerous part of the construction process and we ask for extra vigilance from drivers during this phase of the project.”
Median installation is happening at a couple of locations along the project corridor. The interior lanes immediately adjacent to the work are closed in each direction. As one section is complete, crews will move to a new section, meaning that drivers should stay alert as lane closures may change without notice.
More medians to be installed on Dixie Highway this week
Work to begin from Greenwood Road to Wells Drive
(July 9, 2019) - Crews on The New Dixie Highway Project will begin installing medians this week from Greenwood Road to Wells Drive. The median work is a critical part of the project, and this is the second section of medians to be constructed.
The first medians installed, located between I-264 and Kendall Lane, are now complete.
(See maps of where all project medians and turn lanes are being installed here.)
By installing medians, The New Dixie Highway Project will restrict mid-block left turns – and guide drivers to turn at signalized intersections or designated U-turn points. Installing medians is the most transformative part of The New Dixie Highway project, but also the most dangerous for workers because they will be working in the middle of the roadway with traffic on both sides.
“Safety is our first priority, and in the long run, medians will prevent accidents,” said John Callihan, project manager of The New Dixie Highway Project. “But in the short-term, this is a dangerous part of the construction process and we ask for extra vigilance from drivers during this phase of the project.”
During median installation, the interior lane immediately adjacent to the work will be closed in each direction. Work will be happening in more than one location at a time. As one section is complete, crews will move to a new section, meaning that drivers should stay alert as lane closures may change without notice.
All the major components of the project will be complete by December 2019. Some final parts of project – such as landscaping and final surfacing – require warm weather and will be completed in the summer of 2020.
First phase of median work on New Dixie Highway project complete
Median installed between Upper Hunters Trace and Heaton Road
(July 3, 2019) – Crews on The New Dixie Highway project have finished installing the first phase of planned medians along the roadway between Upper Hunters Trace and Heaton Road.
(Read about all the progress on The New Dixie Highway project here in the newsletter.)
The medians restrict mid-block left turns and guide drivers to turn at signalized intersections or designated U-turn points.
The second phase, from Greenwood Road to the Southwest Government Center, is expected to begin on July 10.
The medians are the most transformative part of The New Dixie Highway project. Read more about them here.
To keep up with day-to-day progress on the project, please follow us on social media. For an overview and history, visit the links below:
Photo Gallery: The New Dixie Highway Construction
Photo Gallery: Life On Dixie Highway
