A new study could reconnect Portland and Shawnee to the Ohio River

What’s “ River City ” to do when its citizens can’t get to the river?

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is conducting the Northwest Louisville Community Connectivity Study to address that problem, and they need your help.

History

When the Portland neighborhood was founded as a rival town to Louisville in 1811, it was — well — a port. The Ohio River was central to the community and still is today — See : the local newspaper Portland Anchor + the planned children’s museum, AHOY .

Since its founding, several physical barriers have been built, blocking Portlanders and other residents of Louisville’s West End from the Ohio River.

• I-64 was completed through West Louisville in the 1970s
• Following the Great Flood of 1937, a flood wall and levee system was installed to protect the community from the water
• Railroad tracks line the waterfront through much of West Louisville

Reconnecting communities

The study’s goal is to create a phased implementation plan to reconnect the neighborhoods south of I-64 — think: Portland and Shawnee — with the areas north of I-64 along the Ohio Riverfront. The study will include consideration for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

It’s being conducted in accordance with the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program , a federal program from the US Department of Transportation.

If that sounds familiar , it’s the same program being used to partially fund the Reimagine 9th Street Project .

Bonus: One of those areas north of I-64 will soon be the expanded Waterfront Park .

Make your voice heard

Got feedback? A public meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Molly Leonard Portland Community Center. Stop by anytime over two open house sessions: 12-2 p.m. + 5-7 p.m.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will publish a final report from the study in the summer of 2025.