Sunday October 19, 2025
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Crews on The New Dixie Highway Project are completing median construction on a critical, busy section of the roadway in the heart of Shively. The section between Herbert Avenue and Crums Lane, which includes Shively City Hall and the on-ramp to I-264, will have all lanes open and in their final configuration on Monday.
The opening of all four lanes in this section will be a significant improvement for drivers. For the past six months, there has been only one southbound lane on this busy section of roadway – which carries an estimated 60,000 vehicles a day. For about a month, there has also only been one northbound lane on that section.
As with the rest of the project, the final surfacing and landscaping is slated for completion during the spring and summer of 2020.
“We appreciate the patience of everyone who drives this section of highway,” said Project Manager John Callihan. “We drive it too, and we know it has been frustrating at times. But the result is a safer, more efficient roadway for all of us.”
Drivers should continue to stay alert to shifting work zones on Dixie Highway. In addition to the opening of lanes between Crums and Herbert, work crews will also be reopening lanes between Greenwood Road and Wells Drive as well as between Meyer Lane and Upper Hunters Trace.
Median work will shift to other locations, causing new lane closures between Gagel Ave. and Kendall Road. The existing lane closure between Blanton Lane and Meyer Lane will remain in place as work continues.
By installing medians, The New Dixie Highway Project is restricting mid-block left turns – and guiding drivers to turn at signalized intersections or designated U-turn points. Installing medians is both the most transformative part of The New Dixie Highway project – but also the most dangerous for workers because they will be working in the middle of the roadway with traffic on both sides. Video about the medians and about the use of U-turns on Dixie Highway are available on YouTube.
Medians are “non-mountable” so passenger vehicles cannot drive over them. Widths will vary with available space – with landscaping at key locations. While it may seem counter-intuitive to drivers, restricting mid-block left-turns creates not only a safer corridor, but a more efficient corridor. Some drivers will have to drive slightly further to reach their destination, but the improved efficiency and reduction in collision-related congestion will mean a better traffic flow for everyone.
The New Dixie Highway Project broke ground in December of 2017, and all the major components will be complete in December 2019.
The Louisville Zoo’s 33-year-old African elephant, Mikki, gave birth to a male calf at 11:24 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019. It is only the second elephant born at the Louisville Zoo in the Zoo’s 50-year history.
During the calf’s birth, Mikki was attended to by the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and elephant keeper staffs as well as Dr. Dennis Schmitt, the leading North American expert in elephant reproductive physiology and veterinary management.
“Mikki did all the work. Her labor progressed nicely and without complications,” said Senior Veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi. “Mikki gave birth to a strong and vigorous bull calf.” According to Dr. Schmitt, “The delivery was textbook. All the staff, both elephant and veterinary staff knew their roles and performed them perfectly.”
Immediately after the birth, the veterinary team performed a neonatal exam.
The calf measures 98 cm tall, 77 cm long (body, head to tail) and 198 cm from the tip of his trunk to the tip off his tail. Mikki, calf and herd mate – Asian elephant Punch – will be off exhibit while the herd bonds. An announcement of a public debut will be made at a later date.
“It’s an exciting day at the Louisville Zoo,” said Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak. “We are so thrilled for Mikki and this calf. We are grateful to our community for embracing Mikki’s pregnancy and being a part of her journey. Raising a calf is one of the most enriching things an elephant can experience. I am very proud of our staff and the amazing job they did to ensure a smooth and safe pregnancy for Mikki and for the calf during birth.”
Mikki gave birth after nearly a 22-month gestation (651 days). She became pregnant through artificial insemination in October 2017 with the help of Dr. Schmitt. Mikki was carefully monitored and well cared for throughout her pregnancy. Staff worked hard to regulate Mikki’s diet and exercise her daily in order to minimize weight gain and get her fit for the delivery. Ultrasound exams and blood hormone monitoring were performed regularly to track the pregnancy.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) elephant breeding program is administered under the auspices of the Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative program of all accredited zoos with elephants. The plan promotes the survival of elephant species into the future by providing linkages between zoo animal “ambassadors” and the conservation of their counterparts in the remnant wild.
“Elephant breeding at accredited zoos provides critical support for elephant conservation, said Walczak. “Every day, more and more habitats for wild animals are lost due to a growing human population, habitat destruction and poaching. The African elephant population has declined and we want to do our part to help with conservation efforts both locally and worldwide.”
To help the Zoo and the community celebrate the birth of this important elephant calf, the Zoo’s gracious partners at Churchill Downs (Twin Spires) and Louisville Waterfront Park (Big Four® Bridge) will light their iconic structures green. Beginning Monday, the Louisville Gas and Electric building’s green light will be in honor of the calf. Green will symbolize this calf’s significant birth as part of the world-wide conservation efforts on behalf of this magnificent and vulnerable species.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) recently awarded a contract for rehabilitation of the Bernheim Bridge in Cherokee Park in Louisville. This bridge, also known as Bridge No. 8, crosses the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek.
This project includes waterproofing and repairing the concrete arch, resetting the railings, masonry repairs on the spandrel walls and railings and new asphalt pavement on the crossing.
KYTC is coordinating the bridge repairs with Louisville Parks and Recreation and Olmsted Parks Conservancy.
Construction is scheduled to begin this week. The bridge crossing via Beargrass Road from Park Boundary Road and Alta Vista Road will be inaccessible through the duration of the project. The Bernheim Bridge will reopen to traffic in late summer.
Several popular nearby park features, including Big Rock pavilion, parking and playground area, will be easily accessible during the construction period. A detour map can be viewed below.
Louisville Paving Company was awarded the $1.1 million construction contract. Marr Construction will be the subcontractor for the masonry rehabilitation of the historic bridge. Marr has worked on several other bridge restoration projects in Cherokee Park.
The Bernheim Bridge dates to 1928 and was named for Bernhard and Rosa Bernheim, who were members of the notable Bernheim family that includes Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, who founded the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest south of Louisville.
Another bridge in Cherokee Park on the Scenic Loop is scheduled for repairs later this year. These bridges are part of KYTC’s Bridging Kentucky program. Bridging Kentucky includes more than 1,000 state, county, and municipal structures that are rated in poor condition or have restricted weight limits. More than 70 of the bridges on the list are currently closed to traffic.
Each bridge will be addressed in the next six years, either replaced with a new structure designed to last at least 75 years or rehabilitated to extend its life by at least 30 years. Those with restricted weight limits will reopen to school buses, emergency vehicles, commercial trucks, as well as passenger vehicles.
The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Visit goky.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Traffic information for the District 5 counties is also available at facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5.
January is proving to be a busy month at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Admission varies by event, but parking is $10 per vehicle per event.
The year kicks off of with the end the Kentucky Flea Market New Year’s Spectacular. The event starts on December 29th and includes free admission. As an added bonus, if you make a purchase at the Flea Market, parking will be half price.
Next up on the calendar is the National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional Natioanl Duals. The two day event will feature the some of the best atheletes from Division II, III, NAIA, NJCAA and Women’s programs from across the country. Tickets start at $17 for students and $25 for adults, plus parking at the Exposition center.
January 5th will be the Yugioh! Regional Qualifier. Entry fee is $20 (spectators are free) and includes 5 packs of soul fusion. More information about tournament structure and format can be found online.
January 6th will be the Kentucky Bridal and Wedding Expo. Tickets are $10 at the door (or free if acquired online in advance).
January 10-12: Members of ATA can attend the Archery Trade Association show.
January 12 and 13: The Great Train Show is designed for anyone interested in model trains. The show will feature more than 40 exhibitors, model train displays, workshops, and a riding train for children. Children are free with an adult. Tickets are available online.
January 18-20: The Outdoor Life/Field and Stream Expo. This Expo was formerly named the Deer and Turkey Expo. Anyone interested in the outdoors, or hunting will find something here. The show will feature a trophy contest, seminars, archery and shooting ranges, and more. Tickets can be purchased in advanced online at a discounted price.
January 19-20: National Gun Day JAG Military Gun Show. More information to be announced as the event gets closer.
January 23-27: Louisville Boat, RV and Sport Show Children under 12 are free with adult. Tickets are available for purchase online.
January 25-27: USA BMX Bluegrass Nationals. Freedom Hall will become an indoor BMX racing track as athletes compete in the second of 13 events. The event is open to the public.
January 26-27: The Crown Cheer & Dance Championship. This event will be held in the Broadbent Arena and admission is $15 per person (children 5 and younger are free with adult).
January 30-February 1: Midwest Manufacturing Housing Federation Show This is not a public show and only people that are involved in the industry will be admitted.
The city of Louisville is privileged to host the USA Cyclocross National Championships at Joe Creason Park December 11-15. This international event, coming on the heels of last year’s Derby City Cup, will feature nearly 1,700 top professional and amateur riders competing over the course of the week from 45 states.
The competition will also draw thousands of spectators from the city of Louisville and beyond, and the event area will feature an expo area, food trucks, hospitality tents and other temporary amenities.
Louisville Parks and Recreation and the host organization, the Louisville Sports Commission, are aware of the stress such an event can put on the natural balance of a scenic park such as Creason.
We are taking the following steps to ensure a return to its idyllic state following the competition:
- Turf areas throughout Creason: As soon as weather permits, if an area is heavily compacted, we’ll aerate, plant seed, winterize the soil, and place straw through the impacted areas. It’s the same approach we took following last year’s Derby City Cup, and the park sustained no lasting negative impacts. We expect full recovery of the areas by late spring.
- The Creason managed meadows areas: they’ve been cut for the season as the growing period has ceased for the year. When the course was laid out, we avoided particularly sensitive areas. We will replace impacted areas with native grasses and perennial seeds and use straw on areas that have exposed soil. We will continually monitor the area and treat for invasives (i.e. Johnson Grass) and remove anything that’s not desirable.
- Also in the managed meadows areas: the parks volunteer coordinator and parks supervision overseeing the restoration of the park will be leading a flower bulb planting project in the weeks following the race to add some spring color to the park.
- The woodland areas surrounding the course – we’ve removed invasive species such as Porcelain Berry and Tree Of Heaven, and along the slopes are employing erosion control methods, straw and silt fencing to keep litter and any pollutants away from the waterways
Questions? E-mail parks@louisvilleky.gov.
The Louisville Orchestra will present Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert featuring screenings of the complete film with Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by acclaimed conductor Keitaro Harada at the Kentucky Center on Saturday, February 2 at 7:30PM and Sunday, February 3 at 3PM.
Tickets start at $35 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Set 30 years after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope, the fourth episode of the saga, starts on the desert planet of Tatooine. A young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover his destiny when, searching for a lost droid, he is saved by reclusive Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). A civil war rages in the galaxy, and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire, Luke and Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Joined by the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and make use of the stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon.
In a legendary confrontation, the rogue group mounts an attack against the Death Star for a climactic battle with the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 40 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by John Williams. Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all eight of the Star Wars saga films to date, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope for which he earned an Academy Award® for Best Original Score. His scores for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, were each nominated for Best Original Score.
The Star Wars: Film Concert Series is produced under license by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox and Warner/Chappell Music. STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM
To kick off the New Year, your Louisville Orchestra brings internationally acclaimed conductor, Leonard Slatkin to The Kentucky Center on Saturday, January 12 at 8PM. Mr. Slatkin will conduct the LO in Edward Elgar’s most famous works, Enigma Variations.
Single tickets start at $27* and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or by visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Cindy McTee, Mr. Slatkin’s wife, is an accomplished composer and her work, Double Play will open the concert followed by a piece by Leonard Slatkin himself, Kinah (Hebrew for “elegy” or “dirge”), which was written in memory of his parents. The program is rounded out by a rousing work for ballet, The Incredible Flutist by Walter Piston.
The Enigma Variations is the work that put Elgar on the musical map. He had made his living as a musical jack-of-all-trades, playing several instruments, conducting, teaching, and composing. His early works brought him scant recognition; it was not until he composed his Enigma Variations that he came into his own as a composer of quality; one whom Richard Strauss would call “the first English progressivist.”
As the title implies, the work is a theme-and-variations, but with a twist: the theme is never heard—hence the “enigma.” What’s more, each variation is also a portrait of one of his friends. Each was cryptically titled with a set of initials or a name, and it was not until after Elgar’s death that all of the identities became known.
The featured LO musician for this program is LO’s own incredible flutist, Kathy Karr who will talk with 90.5 WUOL’s Daniel Gilliam at the LO Concert Talk at 6:45PM prior to the concert.
