Mayor Craig Greenberg, U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, and Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) today unveiled a new LED lighting project installed underneath the I-65 overpass on Main St., between S. Jackson St. and S. Hancock St., in Downtown Louisville.
The new lighting transforms the underpass from its current state, with standard-issue white lights, into an inviting colorful destination and connection between the NuLu District and the core of Downtown by elevating the underpass’s aesthetic appeal and creating a brighter and more engaging space for visitors.
“The new lighting we’ve installed on Main Street will create a new attractive and inviting space that will better connect NuLu and Butchertown with the heart of downtown,” said Mayor Greenberg. This lighting project will strengthen neighborhood connections, enhance public safety and make it even easier for people to have a great experience downtown.”
The project’s planning and design phases for Main and Market Streets were funded by LDP at a cost of $61,000, with Louisville Metro funding the lighting equipment and installation at an additional $1.6 million. Engineering firm Strand Associates, lighting designer Lumenation, and installation contractor Meiners Electric were contractors for the project.
Additional federal funding of $1.6 million was secured by Rep. McGarvey to support two more underpass projects in the Downtown area. Once the Market St. lighting is complete, planning and design will begin on the next two underpasses, located on Jefferson and Jackson Streets. This funding will cover planning, design, equipment, and installation.
“Initiatives like the underpass lighting project will not only make our city brighter and more beautiful, but safer and more connected,” said Rep. McGarvey. “I’m proud to have secured the federal funding needed to expand this project to two more underpasses. This is a great example of what we can accomplish when local and federal governments partner together, and I can’t wait to see the impact this will have throughout Louisville.”
Increasing public lighting provides a sense of safety and security, making streets more unique and inviting at nighttime and contributing to a sense of place. It also improves visibility, connectivity, and general beautification.
“Public lighting is an instrument for good placemaking and achieves many goals at once,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of LDP. “When we create these sorts of creative, beautiful, and unique spaces, we’re also creating a new landmark and a destination where people want to be.”
The Main St. project includes 71 lighting fixtures which were installed along the 300-foot-long underpass. The fixtures are programmable with the ability to display 130+ patterns, including all local high school and post-secondary institutions and all holidays. LDP will rotate between general color schemes, sometimes matching the Big Four Walking Bridge, and will offer companies and organizations the opportunity to request a scheme.
This project complements the many enhancements aimed at increasing connectivity and pedestrian safety in Downtown. Other renovations and improvements include the E. Jefferson, E. Market, and Main St. two-way conversions, the 9th Street ReImagined Project, Waterfront Park Phase IV expansion, and more.
For companies and organizations interested in requesting a color scheme, please visit here.
Video footage of the Main St. underpass lighting at night can be found here.