Drivers in Louisville are preparing for major route changes as a long-planned construction project along Interstate 65 gets underway.As part of the I-65 Central Corridor Project, three aging bridges will be replaced. They include bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue near the fairgrounds. All of them were constructed in the late 1950’s as part of the original construction of the interstate. Neighbors are bracing for the impact. “I know that the traffic is going to be pretty rough, at least while we’re adjusting to it,” said Madisyn Morris, driver.The biggest immediate impact starts June 1, when a five-mile stretch of I-65 between the Watterson Expressway and downtown will close. That section is scheduled to reopen with two lanes of traffic on Aug. 1. A two-mile stretch of southbound I-65 from University Boulevard to the Watterson Expressway is expected to reopen on July 1. "While this section of I-65 is closed, Louisville is open for business," said Mindy Peterson, spokesperson for I-65 Central Corridor Project.Peterson says drivers will be able to get to their destinations. They held a meeting at Manual High School on Tuesday."We have about 125,000 vehicles that use this portion of I-65 each and every day. So when we close a five-mile stretch of the interstate, we have 125,000 vehicles that are looking for a new place to go," said Peterson, "So this sign detour for this interstate closure is an interstate detour. And that's going to take drivers to the west around construction using 264, the Georgia Davis Powers Expressway."She added that traffic modeling was used to identify detour routes with the most capacity and the fewest expected delays.Still, some residents worry neighborhood streets will absorb too much overflow traffic. “The infrastructure is not there for through traffic,” said Hannah Griffith, who attended the meeting.The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says deputies will monitor traffic patterns, speeding, and heavy equipment using neighborhood roads during construction.Traffic accessing downtown Louisville will use the Jefferson Street exit from southbound I-65. Traffic will also be able to access downtown Louisville via I-64. Traffic leaving downtown will use the ramp from East Liberty Street to access northbound I-65, and the I-64 ramps will also be an option for drivers (Third Street and Ninth Street ramps).The broader I-65 Central Corridor Project is expected to continue through late 2027, with additional ramp closures, street closures, bridge repairs, and replacements ahead.The next public meeting will be Tuesday, May 12, at Spalding University, College Center. It runs from 5:30-7 p.m. with a presentation at 6 p.m.Project information and updates can be found at I65CentralCorridor.com.