If you find yourself down on Main Street like Bob Seger later this year, things might not still (be) the same.
Last year, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled the details of Main Remade, a project that will significantly change traffic patterns along Main Street in downtown Louisville.
It’s set to be completed in three concurrent phases: The East Phase, the West Phase, and the Central Phase. The three phases will be under construction this summer and fall. Here’s a look at what the East and West Phases will do:
- Convert Main from one-way to two-way traffic between 2nd Street and Wenzel Street for the East Phase + 10th Street to 22nd Street for the West Phase.
- Install new bike lanes along Main, some of them separated from traffic by parking.
- Upgrade the Main Street crosswalks by adding striping, marking, and lighting, improving the visibility of pedestrians
- Add dedicated left-hand turning lanes at intersections.
- Upgrade traffic lights
The Central Phase will maintain one-way traffic between 2nd and 10th streets, but with resurfaced pavement and other safety improvements.
Construction will not interrupt traffic, according to officials, with Main remaining open throughout the project.
The aim is to improve safety. From 2018 to 2023, there were over 460 crashes along Main, with 89 resulting in injury. The changes will discourage high vehicle speeds, reducing the severity of crashes when they do occur.
Bonus: This kind of project is happening on several major roadways in Louisville, including 9th street + 2nd and 3rd Streets in Old Louisville.
