Making our roads safer

Louisville lands $21 million grant for safe roads and streets

The skyline of the city of Louisville at sunset, with the freeways visible.

Safety improvements may reduce accidents by up to 47%. | Photo by @zenithdroneimagery

Big changes are coming to the streets of Louisville — $21 million worth of changes, to be specific.

Let’s take a look at how Louisville will use the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funding for safety improvements.

🚧 The improvements

The money will primarily be used to “rightsize” ten Derby City corridors to better serve those who use them (think: drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists). The project will focus on improving safety in key areas including:

Speed reduction measurements
Fewer travel lanes pedestrians must cross
Creating bicycle lanes, on-street parking, and transit stops

Since 2014, 900+ people have died on the city’s roads. These measures may reduce crashes by 19-47%.

🛣️ Affected roads

Here are ten roadways that will benefit from this grant:

Wilson Avenue
West Oak Street
East Oak Street
Berry Boulevard
Crums Lane
River Road
Zorn Avenue
South 22nd Street
Southern Parkway
Louis Coleman Jr. Drive

🗓️ The timeline

The project will begin with design work, slated to begin this summer. Construction is scheduled for 2024 and is planned to continue until 2027.

💰 The funding

The $21 million comes from the federal government’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. The funding will be matched by almost $1.5 in state funding and $4 million in local funds for a grand total of nearly $27 million. The Metro Government estimates that over 60% of the funding will impact underserved communities.

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Friday, Feb. 3

The Love of Black Creation Exhibition | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6 p.m. | Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville | $20-$25 | Attend opening night of this exhibition that highlights Black Excellence through visual, literary, and musical art — plus poetic performances and two drink tickets.
National Golden Retriever Day at Club K9 Dog Park Bar | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Club K9 Dog Park Bar, 9316 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville | Free | Celebrate National Golden Retriever Day with raffles, adoptions, and $5 golden ales.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Conservation in Practice Hike: Place-based Stewardship | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | $10-$15 | Hike the revitalized woodlands along the Sun and Shade Loop and learn the impact of invasive species.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2023 | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville | $11.55-$249.09 | See the strange and unusual artworks, antiques, funeral collectibles, and more from 150+ oddity vendors.
The Chickasaw Book Project: A Dialogue of Shared Memories | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 2-4 p.m. | Main Library, 301 York St., Louisville | Free | Hear from a panel of Chickasaw community members led by newscaster Dawne Gee.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Black History Film Series: “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Main Library, 301 York St., Louisville | Free | Watch a film about Nobel prize-winner Toni Morrison followed by a panel discussion.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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Calling all wanderers: There’s only one more chance to cure your wanderlust. The last Fly Away Friday Giveaway just launched, which means this is your final chance to win two roundtrip airline tickets out of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF).

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Weather

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History

Through February, Muhammad Ali International Airport will host “The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation.” The free exhibit has moved from the Bowman Field to the entrance of Concourses A and B and will feature historic Black aviators. ✈️

Cause

Night to RISE — the annual fundraiser for the Neighborhood House — is back on Saturday, March 18. The gala will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music, plus a bourbon pull and raffle tickets. Tickets are $55 and benefit families in Louisville’s west end.

Try This

A toast to love and friendship. Copper & Kings is offering Valentine’s cocktail classes on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11. Learn to craft a raspberry martini and get 10% off the Valentine’s Day dinner featuring specials like beef heart pastrami. 🍸

Festival

The Louisville Jewish Film Festival returns for its 25th year from Saturday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 19. The festival will offer 16 films virtually and in-person, plus seven special events. Tickets start at $12 each (or, if you’re a film buff, get the $99 festival pass to all films).

Today Is

National Wear Red Day. This initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease is more than wearing a color. You can also set up a fundraising page and find volunteer options to make a difference in the lives of women across the country. 🫀

Travel

Looking to get one final ski trip in this winter? We’ve got a solution: Book a nonstop flight to Denver out of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). Conveniently start your trip in Derby City without worrying about driving elsewhere to catch a flight. Explore low-fare options. ❄️ *

Finance

If cash back is king, this card is royalty. With a big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee, 0% APR until 2024 + more, it’s basically a no-brainer. 👀 *

Shop

Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

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LOU-ve stories 💜

Local LOU love stories

A viewfinder stands in the foreground of the Louisville skyline with map indicators pointing to three different buildings.

We’re looking for love in all the right places. | Graphic by LOUtoday

For Valentine’s Day 2023, we made a map of places where our readers have made memories around Louisville.

We asked for your help compiling everything from Riverwalk proposals to weddings at Glassworks to making friends at UofL ballgames. Y’all did not disappoint.

Explore these local LOU-ve stories by clicking on the hearts, but there’s one love story that we just had to share:

“In 2009, my husband and I were visiting Louisville and we had already fallen in love with the city. We were living in Chicago at the time and it was getting harder and harder to live there. We were walking on Market Street when I came across a “Before I Die” wall that the Speed Art Museum had installed. It was a big chalkboard with lines where you could write your dreams, wishes, desires, etc. I grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote “I want to live in Louisville.” It took five years and a LOT of work but we did it. Louisville has my heart and I am so grateful for my wish being granted.”
— Carolynne M.

Maybe the best love stories are the ones about Derby City itself. It has our hearts, too. 💜

Where did you find love in Louisville?

WE'RE LOOKING FOR LOVE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessalin.

Editor’s pick: We’re seeing a lot of shake-ups in Louisville’s transportation. In case you missed it, we might be getting Amtrak service to Chicago, Cincinnati, and Nashville. Or at least, we’ve submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration.

We’re still waiting to hear about grant applications for a feasibility study, which should be awarded this summer.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn about curbside collection of large items.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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