615. Louisville Switches Time Zones

Like nearly all of the country, twice a year we moves our clocks, once forward, once backward. Spring forward, Fall back is the easy catchline to remember which way the clocks go when. Here along the Left Bank of the Ohio River near Milepost 606, we have a third switch. It happens every year at some point and this year that some point is today. For the next three weeks, Louisville will be operating on Derby Time. Every thing we do is governed by this event that very few of us actually attend (although that wasn't always the case). I've written of Derby Time before.

As I said it started today which, I might add, was an exceptionally beautiful day to start. You know it is time to switch over by the sounds of the military airplanes flying overhead. The elite of the elite - creme de la creme - of our nation's aircraft ascend and descend the skies praticing for tomorrow's big air show down along the Ohio River. Some of my lefty friends object to the massive display of military arrogance the planes and their pilots display. An orgy of fuel is spent in the practice and performance over the two days. I happen to like it myself. And I particularly like that they come in on Friday for practice.

Tomorrow is the great Thunder Over Louisville event, the world's largest choreographed fireworks display which will come to an end with its eponymous self, actual but man-made thunder over Louisville sometime around 10:00 pm tomorrow night. While I love the military air show, Thunder over Louisville, which brings to town 500,000 to 750,000 people and parks them all along the waterfront, is too much humanity for me to fathom. At some point tomorrow I'll either start cleaning my kitchen, which will takes hours to accomplish - finishing well past the 10:00 thunderous termination of Thunder's events, or, as is my wont, I may take to Kentucky's backroads for a short trip.

I've got the tent already packed in the car along with a couple of sleeping bags and other paraphernalia appropriate for a one-night trip. Green River Lake is calling me, for sure. So is the Hillbilly Days Festival in Pikeville, which is a nearly a state away.

Those of you who are sticking around, enjoy the Thunder. And go ahead and take off your watches. For the next three weeks, Louisville is on DT - Derby Time.

Below is a list of the numerous street closures for Thunder. Generally speaking, if you can, avoid Louisville tomorrow if you are driving.

The following street will be closed on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. until Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.: River Road from Bingham Way to Eighth Street

The following street will be closed on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 1:30 a.m. until Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.: Bingham Way from Witherspoon Street to River Road

The following streets will be closed on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. until Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 9:00 a.m: Ramp from westbound Interstate 64 to Third Street, Ramp from Second Street to eastbound Interstate 64, Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Brook Street, River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street

The following streets will be closed on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. until Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.:

(Local traffic and pass traffic will be allowed provided there are no pedestrian safety issues. Residents and businesses within the closure area will need to contact LMPD for passes)

River Road from Zorn Avenue to Witherspoon Street
Witherspoon Street from Bingham Way to Second Street
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to River Road
Washington Street from Preston Street to Second Street
Preston Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Floyd Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Brook Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
First Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Second Street from Main Street to River Road
Third Street from Main Street to River Road

The following ramp will be closed on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.:

Ramp from Muhammad Ali Blvd. to Interstate 65 northbound

The following interstates will be closed on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.:

Interstate 65 northbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 64Interstate 64 westbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to 22nd Street
Interstate 64 eastbound from Interstate 264 (Shawnee Expressway) to Interstate 71
Interstate 71 southbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 65

Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge)
This bridge will be closed at the following dates and times:
Saturday, April 17, 2010 - All day
Sunday, April 18, 2010 - Midnight to 2:00 p.m.


Emergency Route

Only authorized emergency vehicles can use the following route from 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Muhammad Ali Blvd. from Roy Wilkins Blvd. to Clay Street
Second Street from Main Street to Jacob Street
Northbound Second Street traffic will be diverted at Breckinridge Street


Thunder Over Louisville No Parking Areas

There will be No Parking from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010 and all day Saturday, April 17, 2010 on the following streets.

Bingham Way from River Road to Witherspoon Street
Witherspoon Street from Bingham Way to Preston Street
River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street

There will be No Parking all day Saturday, April 17, 2010 on the following streets.

Main Street from Clay Street to 22nd Street
Mellwood Avenue from Spring Street to Zorn Avenue
Market Street from Baxter Avenue to Tenth Street
Johnson Street from Baxter Avenue to Main Street
Liberty Street Baxter Avenue to Roy Wilkins Blvd.
Baxter Avenue from Main Street to Broadway
Chestnut Street from First Street to Roy Wilkins Blvd.
Jacob Street from Second Street to First Street
Preston Street from Witherspoon Street to Jackson Street
Oak Street from Floyd Street to Eighth Street (south side only)
Kentucky Street from Sixth Street to Fourth Street
Washington Street from Second Street to Preston Street
Witherspoon Street from Second Street to Bingham Way
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to River Road - this is my neighborhood
River Road from Witherspoon Street to Blankenbaker Lane
First Street from Witherspoon Street to Cardinal Blvd
Second Street Main Street to College Street
Third Street from River Road to Eastern Parkway
Fourth Street from Broadway to Winkler Avenue
Fifth Street from Main Street to Broadway
Armory Place from Liberty Street to Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Sixth Street River Road to Hill Street
Seventh Street from Washington Street to Liberty Street
Eighth Street from Washington Street to Broadway
Ninth Street from Main Street to Market Street
Roy Wilkins Blvd. from Market Street to Myrtle Street
Seventh Street from Myrtle Street to Algonquin Parkway
15th Street from Main Street to Portland Avenue
22nd Street from Bank Street to Northwestern Parkway
Portland Avenue from 15th to 22nd Street (north side only)
Lexington Road from Baxter Avenue to Payne Street
Broadway from Barret Avenue to 12th Street
Floyd Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Muhammad Ali Blvd. from Clay Street to Roy Wilkins Blvd.
Brook Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Jackson Street from Main Street to Market Street
Jefferson Street from Preston Street to Roy Wilkins Blvd
Adams Street from Witherspoon Street to Story Avenue - this is my neighborhoodSpring Street from Story Avenue to Lexington Avenue.
Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Avenue (Tow lot and local traffic only)Baxter Avenue from Broadway to Highland Avenue (west side only)
Bardstown Road from Broadway to Taylorsville Road (west side only)

Like I said. Stay away.