LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Water Company’s extensive effort to replace aging water pipes along River Road has entered a new phase, bringing some much-needed relief to businesses near Zorn Avenue.
The two-year construction project, which began in early March, spans the busy corridor from Zorn Avenue to Prospect and has significantly impacted local commerce due to road closures and detours. Businesses along River Road have faced a challenging spring, compounded by severe weather and flood damage.
One such business, River Road BBQ, has adapted by operating a pop-up tent-style barbecue sale during the construction, said Krissy Davis, the restaurant’s general manager. With the project moving away from their immediate area, Davis said customers now have easier access to the restaurant.
“It’s very helpful that people can get to us easily,” Davis said.
Last week, Louisville Water Company announced that construction had shifted into Zone 2, allowing crews to focus their efforts farther from Zorn Avenue. Kelley Dearing Smith, a spokesperson for the company, emphasized that work in the first zone near Zorn Avenue was completed efficiently and that businesses remain open and accessible.
“We work really fast to get in and get out,” Dearing Smith said. “Roads are paved, it’s beautiful. Please go out and enjoy the weather and have a great meal.”
The project has already seen substantial progress, with crews installing 37 percent of the planned pipeline—over 1,000 pieces—since construction began in March. Currently, the section of River Road between Blankenbaker Lane and Lime Kiln Lane is closed to through traffic, requiring drivers to use detours during rolling closures.
Dearing Smith noted that construction crews are working closely with homeowners in the more residential Zone 2 area to ensure continuous access to their properties.
Despite the challenges, local businesses remain optimistic. Davis reiterated that River Road BBQ is open and fully operational, encouraging customers to visit even if detours make the route from downtown Louisville to Prospect less direct.
River Road BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant plans to hold a grand reopening celebration on June 14.
Work in Zone 2 is expected to last between three to six months, with the Louisville Water Company aiming to complete most of the project by next summer. Under ideal weather conditions, crews hope to lay approximately 200 feet of pipe daily.
The entire River Road waterline replacement project is slated for completion within two years, promising a more reliable water infrastructure for the growing Louisville community.
