Beltways around Louisville? (Shively, Hazel: real estate, construction, airport)

[virgo]

When looking at a map, am I correct in thinking that I see an oval-shaped beltway all the way around L'ville and then a half-moon-shaped beltway that goes from Oldham County down to a little past the airport area? Are these roads 55 mph and not 35 or 45 mph roads? Is it like you kind of have an inner loop beltway and then one-half of an outer loop beltway?

Thanks much.

[Crew Chief]

The outer beltway (I-265 called the Gene Snyder Expressway) goes from I-71just inside the Jefferson Co. line to I-65. There are extensions of it at either end that are known as KY 841 (The Western extension goes from I-65 to Dixie Highway and the Eastern extension goes from I-71 to U.S. 42. The eastern extension will someday carry I-265 across the Ohio River and connect with I-265 in Indiana, but I wouldn't hold your breath waiting on it to be built...) The inside beltway is I-264 and it also comes off of I-71 (a left hand exit if you're coming from Oldham Co. and loops all the way around to I-64 on the West side of downtown. Speed limit on I265 is 65, 55 on I-264. Both are limited-access highways from end to end.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by virgo

When looking at a map, am I correct in thinking that I see an oval-shaped beltway all the way around L'ville and then a half-moon-shaped beltway that goes from Oldham County down to a little past the airport area? Are these roads 55 mph and not 35 or 45 mph roads? Is it like you kind of have an inner loop beltway and then one-half of an outer loop beltway?

Thanks much.

yes, they are both essentially beltways. I-265 will connect with the current I-265 in Indina to make a 3/4 beltway around the metro. The speed limit is 65, and it is limited access with exits and entrances about ever 1-2 miles.

I-264 forms a complete belt around the city when paired with I-64 on the north. The speed limit here is 55 and it goes around the oldest parts of the original city as well as some inner ring suburbs like St Matthews, Beechmont, Shively, Hazelwood.

As far as roads go, Louisville has an advanced network for its size. Not many cities our size have two beltways. That said, many roads need widening, like I-64 and I-71 coming into downtown, which remain two lanes in each direction.

[virgo]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

The outer beltway (I-265 called the Gene Snyder Expressway) goes from I-71just inside the Jefferson Co. line to I-65. There are extensions of it at either end that are known as KY 841 (The Western extension goes from I-65 to Dixie Highway and the Eastern extension goes from I-71 to U.S. 42. The eastern extension will someday carry I-265 across the Ohio River and connect with I-265 in Indiana, but I wouldn't hold your breath waiting on it to be built...) The inside beltway is I-264 and it also comes off of I-71 (a left hand exit if you're coming from Oldham Co. and loops all the way around to I-64 on the West side of downtown. Speed limit on I265 is 65, 55 on I-264. Both are limited-access highways from end to end.

Thank you for the info, and thank you for the tidbit about Gene Snyder Expressway. I would see that name mentioned in real estate ads, but couldnt figure out what road they were referring to. Got it. Gene Snyder is the outer beltway. Thank you.

[virgo]

Originally Posted by stx12499

yes, they are both essentially beltways. I-265 will connect with the current I-265 in Indina to make a 3/4 beltway around the metro. The speed limit is 65, and it is limited access with exits and entrances about ever 1-2 miles.

I-264 forms a complete belt around the city when paired with I-64 on the north. The speed limit here is 55 and it goes around the oldest parts of the original city as well as some inner ring suburbs like St Matthews, Beechmont, Shively, Hazelwood.

As far as roads go, Louisville has an advanced network for its size. Not many cities our size have two beltways. That said, many roads need widening, like I-64 and I-71 coming into downtown, which remain two lanes in each direction.

Yes, I thought I noticed that about the road system. That's why I asked to make sure. The grid system in the city is pretty good too IMO. That's a big plus in my book and something that I include in my research on a city: Am I able to take alternative routes east, west, south, and north when a water pipe breaks in the winter or when road construction is going on. Sometimes, a city will have activities that I'm interestered in and a not too shabby direct flight airport schedule, but their road infrastructure coupled with business/retail/commercial locations seem to be more conducive to bottlenecks/backups, and I have to move that city to the bottom of my list. If I would just haul off and do nothing in retirement, I would have a much larger selection of US cities to choose from, but nooooooo, I'll be running the streets. Ah, c'est la vie. Thanks for the info!

[Off Topic]

Just so you will know, the inner beltway is known as the Watterson Expressway, after Henry Watterson, the newspaper publisher.

[virgo]

Originally Posted by Off Topic

Just so you will know, the inner beltway is known as the Watterson Expressway, after Henry Watterson, the newspaper publisher.

You da bomb! Watterson Expressway is the inner beltway, got it. Thank you!

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Off Topic

Just so you will know, the inner beltway is known as the Watterson Expressway, after Henry Watterson, the newspaper publisher.

Cool! I've always wondered who the Watterson was named for; Thanks!