Here's what to know about road closures in downtown during Thunder Over Louisville
If you and your 500,000+ closest friends are all planning to head to downtown Louisville this weekend for Thunder Over Louisville at Waterfront Park, chances are there's going to be some traffic and lots of road closures.
Each year, Louisville and Indiana traffic officials pledge to get you home after one of the biggest fireworks shows in the country ... eventually. If you're heading downtown, it's best to know where you can and can't go, which roads will be closed — and when — and how you can navigate traffic with ease.
Preplan your route according to the area you intend to travel to after the show and remember to be patient.
Here's what you need to know about road closures in downtown Louisville and Southern Indiana during Thunder Over Louisville 2024:
What brides are closed during Thunder Over Louisville?
The Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) from westbound Main Street to westbound Riverside Drive is closed at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, April 18; all day Friday and Saturday, and until 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21.
The Kennedy Bridge at Interstate 65 northbound will be closed from 5-10:30 p.m. (approximate) and at Interstate 65 southbound from 7-10:30 p.m. (approximate) Saturday.
The Big Four Pedestrian Bridge will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 19, for air show practice. On Saturday, April 20, it will close at 10 a.m. until midnight. Signage will be placed on the Big Four Bridge to help notify the public of the closure.
What roads are closed during Thunder Over Louisville?
For more information visit the Louisville Metro Police Department's website: louisville-police.org/478/Kentucky-Derby-Festival-Information
10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19 to 8 a.m. Sunday, April 21
Westbound River Road from northbound 2nd Street to northbound 6th Street
Witherspoon Street from northbound Preston Street to northbound Brook Street
Eastbound River Road from northbound Preston Street to Witherspoon Street
Bingham Way from westbound River Road to Witherspoon Street
Northbound Floyd Street from Witherspoon to Washington Street
Midnight Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday Interstate Ramps (closed)
Ramp from westbound Interstate 64 to Third Street
Ramp from Second Street to eastbound Interstate 64
Second Street from Main Street to West River Road (local access to local garages only)
9 a.m. Saturday, April 20 to 8 a.m. Sunday, April 21
(Local traffic and pass traffic will be allowed provided there are no pedestrian safety issues.)
Witherspoon Street from Brook Street to Second Street
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Adams Street
Washington Street from First Street to Second Street
Armory Place from Liberty Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Preston Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Floyd Street from Main Street to Washington Street
Brook Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
First Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Second Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Third Street from Main Street to River Road (access will be allowed to parking garages)
8:30 p.m. to 11:30 pm on Saturday, April 20 (approximate)
Interstate 65 northbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 64
Interstate 65 southbound (Indiana) from Interstate 265 to Interstate 64 (Kentucky)
Interstate 64 westbound from Interstate 264 to 22nd Street
Interstate 64 eastbound from Interstate 264 (Shawnee Expressway) to Interstate 65
8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20 (approximate) Interstate Ramps
Preston Street to Interstate 65 northbound
St. Catherine Street to Interstate 65 northbound
Muhammad Ali Boulevard to Interstate 65 northbound
Ninth Street to Interstate 64 eastbound
Ninth Street to Interstate 64 westbound
22nd Street to Interstate 64 eastbound
Zorn Avenue to Interstate 71 southbound (toward downtown)
Grinstead Drive to Interstate 64 westbound
Cannons Lane to Interstate 64 westbound
9 p.m. Saturday, April 20 to 1 a.m. Sunday, April 21 (road direction changes)
Market Street from Sixth Street to 10th Street (reversed from eastbound to westbound)
Third Street from Main Street to Broadway (converted to one-way southbound)
What roads have no parking for Thunder Over Louisville?
10 a.m. Friday, April 19 to midnight Sunday, April 21 (no stopping anytime)
River Road from Eighth Street to Bingham Way
Bingham Way from River Road to Witherspoon Street
Witherspoon Street from Bingham Way to Preston Street
River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street
No stopping anytime, Saturday, April 20
Main Street from Story Avenue to 22nd Street
Story Avenue from Main Street to Frankfort Avenue
Mellwood Avenue from Spring Street to Zorn Avenue
Market Street from Baxter Avenue to 10th Street
Johnson Street from Market Street to Story Avenue
Liberty Street from Baxter Avenue to Roy Wilkins Avenue (9th Street)
Baxter Avenue from Main Street to Broadway
Chestnut Street from First Street to Roy Wilkins Avenue (9th Street)
Jacob Street from Second Street to First Street
Preston Street from Witherspoon Street to Woodbine Street
Oak Street from Floyd Street to Eighth Street (south side only)
Kentucky Street from Sixth Street to Fourth Street
Washington Street from Second Street to Preston Street
Witherspoon Street from Second Street to River Road
River Road from Witherspoon Street to Blankenbaker Lane
First Street from Witherspoon Street to College Street
First Street from College Street to Cardinal Boulevard (west side)
Second Street from Main Street to College Street
Third Street from River Road to Eastern Parkway
Fourth Street from River Road to Winkler Avenue
Fifth Street from Main Street to Broadway
Armory Place from Liberty Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Sixth Street from River Road to Hill Street
Seventh Street from Washington Street to Liberty Street
Eighth Street from Washington Street to Broadway
Ninth Street from Main Street to Market Street
Roy Wilkins Boulevard from Market Street to Myrtle Street
Seventh Street from Myrtle Street to Algonquin Parkway
15th Street from Main Street to Portland Avenue
22nd Street from Bank Street to Northwestern Parkway
Portland Avenue from 15th Street to 22nd Street (north side only)
Lexington Road from Baxter Avenue to Payne Street
Broadway from Barret Avenue to 12th Street
Floyd Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Clay Street to Roy Wilkins Avenue (9th Street)
Brook Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Jackson Street from Main Street to Market Street
Jefferson Street from Preston Street to Roy Wilkins Avenue (9th Street)
Adams Street from Witherspoon Street to Story Avenue
Spring Street from Story Avenue to Lexington Avenue
Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Avenue (Tow Lot and local traffic only)
Baxter Avenue from Broadway to Highland Avenue (west side only)
Bardstown Road from Broadway to Taylorsville Road (west side only)
Campbell Street from Adams Street to the River
What routes will be for emergency vehicles only at Thunder Over Louisville?
Only authorized emergency vehicles can use the following route from 6:30 p.m. Saturday:
Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Roy Wilkins Boulevard to Clay Street
Second Street from Main Street to Jacob Street
Northbound Second Street traffic will be diverted at College Street
What roads are closed in Jeffersonville for Thunder Over Louisville?
The following roads and parking lots will be closed on Saturday, April 20, from 6 a.m. to midnight:
Riverside Drive from Walnut Street, west to Clarksville (closed beginning Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. through the end of Thunder on Saturday)
Market Street from Spring Street, west to Clarksville
Missouri Avenue from Market Street north to South Clark Boulevard
Southern Indiana Avenue
River Pointe Plaza, North Shore Drive, Clark Street and Fort Street
The parking lots located under the Kennedy Bridge
100 block of Spring Street
100 block of Wall Street
100 block of Locust Street
Pearl Street from West Maple Street south to Riverside Drive
Mulberry Street from West Maple Street south to Riverside Drive
West Court Avenue at Broadway Street west to Missouri Avenue
All alleys along the floodwall from Walnut Street, west to the city limits
West Maple Street west of Mulberry Street
What roads are closed in Clarksville for Thunder Over Louisville?
Riverside Drive is closed to all traffic and pedestrians from the 2nd Street Bridge to the Eastside entrance to Ashland Park
The following intersections will be closed Starting at 11 a.m. Friday, April 19
South Sherwood at Winbourne Avenue
Smyser Avenue at the Floodwall
The following intersections will be closed starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 20
South Clark Boulevard at Winbourne Avenue
South Clark Boulevard at Beckett Street
Montgomery Avenue at Virginia Avenue
Montgomery Avenue at Sherwood Avenue
South Clark Boulevard at Sherwood Avenue
Harrison Avenue at Bailey Avenue
Marriott Drive at Montgomery Avenue
Winbourne Avenue at Riverside Drive
Emery Crossing at Summer Place
Emery Crossing at McCullough Pike
The following intersection will be closed starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20
South Clark Boulevard at Main Street (Residents and Business Permits Only)
The following intersection will be closed starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20
South Clark Boulevard at Montgomery Avenue (Residents, Entry to VIP, Church, Handicap Parking Only)
The following intersections will be closed starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Smyser Avenue at the Floodwall
South Sherwood at Riverside Drive
Additional roads closing in the evening, as needed
North Clark Boulevard at Brown Station Way
Emory Crossing at McCullough Pike
How can I pass police checkpoints to get home if I live in Clarksville?
To pass through police checkpoints, residents will need to present a photo ID with their street address or a bill such as a wastewater or electric bill with their name and street address. If residents plan to have guests visit their homes during Thunder Over Louisville, they will need to request a pass from the Clarksville Police Department by calling, 812-288-7151, extension 306.
Reach Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What roads are closed in downtown for Thunder Over Louisville 2024