Progress Taking Shape: I-264 and US 42 Improvements in East Louisville

Construction is rapidly advancing on the US 42 interchange improvements at I-264 (Watterson Expressway) in east Louisville—one of the region’s most impactful infrastructure projects currently underway.

Originally initiated with a Planning Study in 2011, the project has grown into a $130 million investment designed to improve safety, mobility, and long-term corridor performance. Key features include the construction of a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI), coordinated with a new VA Hospital in the southeast quadrant, as well as the widening of I-264 from Westport Road to I-71 and the addition of sound walls throughout much of the project area.

Palmer Engineering led the design effort in partnership with AECOM, bringing together roadway design, traffic engineering, drainage, and multimodal planning to address the needs of this high-volume corridor. Cleary Construction is serving as the lead contractor as work continues to advance.

Recently, our team had the opportunity to visit the site and see the progress firsthand. Our drone team captured a series of aerial images that showcase the scale and complexity of the work underway—from interchange construction to ongoing corridor improvements.

Projects like this present unique challenges, from maintaining traffic flow during construction to coordinating with surrounding development and infrastructure. At the same time, they offer significant opportunities to enhance safety, improve connectivity, and support continued growth in the region.

We’re proud to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on the Louisville community and look forward to seeing it continue to take shape.

View additional photos and project details HERE.