The new Louisville East End Ohio River bridge opened to traffic on Dec. 18. It will be officially known as the Lewis and Clark Bridge: East End Partners: Lewis and Clark Bridge, East End Crossing Open to Traffic (Dec. 18, 2016) 

840 WHAS posted this video of a drive across the bridge  on their Facebook page.

Courier-Journal coverage of the bridge opening: Courier-Journal: After decades-long wait, East End bridge opens (Dec. 19, 2016) 

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

TOLLING TO BEGIN IN LOUISVILLE AND SOUTHERN INDIANA

I-65 and East End bridges will be tolled

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2016) –  Drivers traveling in Louisville and Southern Indiana need to prepare for the start of tolling on three Ohio River bridges. Tolling on the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project is scheduled to begin Friday, December 30. 

Tolled bridges include the two I-65 bridges connecting Downtown Louisville and Southern Indiana, the new Abraham Lincoln Bridge and the improved John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. The new East End bridge connecting the Gene Snyder Freeway in Prospect, Ky. with State Road 265 in Utica, Ind. will also be tolled. 

RiverLink is the name of the new, all-electronic tolling system that makes the project possible. There’s no stopping, no slowing, no lines and no coin machines. Toll rates range from $2-$12, depending on the size of vehicle and whether the driver has a RiverLink account and transponder.

Drivers with transponders will pay the lowest toll rates. Drivers can set up a prepaid RiverLink account to get a transponder. All E-ZPass transponders, including the I-PASS from Illinois and the Indiana Toll Road E-ZPass, will work with the RiverLink system. No further action is necessary.

Drivers without transponders will get bills in the mail, and pay higher toll rates. Drivers who do not pay their tolls will be charged a penalty and may face restrictions on vehicle registration until tolls and penalties are paid.

Opening a RiverLink Account

Drivers can open a personal account online at www.RiverLink.com, by phone at 855-RIV-LINK or in person at one of two RiverLink customer service centers. A personal account can include up to four vehicles, with a minimum balance of $20 to open the account. The account balance rolls over month to month.

The fastest way to open a RiverLink personal account is online. The website is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week with no wait. Transponders will be mailed to account holders, free of charge.

For businesses with more than four vehicles, the fastest and easiest way to open an account is by calling a specialized customer service representative at 855-RIV-LINK.

Choice of Transponders

A RiverLink local transponder is free, one per registered vehicle. The small sticker adheres to the inside of windshield, is non-transferable and will work only on tolled bridges between Louisville and Southern Indiana.

A RiverLink E-ZPass transponder is $15 per transponder. It’s mounted on the inside of the windshield, is portable from vehicle to vehicle registered to a single account and works in all 16 E-ZPass states (https://e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it).

The I-64 (Sherman Minton) and the US 31/Second Street (Clark Memorial) bridges across the Ohio River will not be tolled in connection with the project. Find more information at www.RiverLink.com.

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The Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project includes two new bridges and their approaches, an improved Kennedy Bridge and reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange, where I-65, I-64 and I-71 come together in downtown Louisville. The new Abraham Lincoln Bridge carries six lanes of I-65 northbound traffic. The improved Kennedy Bridge carries six lanes of southbound traffic. The new East End bridge will connect the Gene Snyder Freeway in Prospect, Ky. with State Road 265 (Lee Hamilton Highway) in Utica, Ind.

Find more details on the Ohio River Bridges Project at www.kyinbridges.com.

Courtesy of Aerial Innovations here are some photographs of the progress on the new East End Ohio River crossing in Louisville-Jefferson County .

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Indiana Department of Transportation (Apr. 20, 2012):

Kentucky, Indiana announce federal approval of Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement for Ohio River Bridges Project
Implements cost-saving measures, new Record of Decision expected mid-June

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 20, 2012) – The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project, designed to bring unprecedented improvements in cross-river mobility for the entire region, took a giant step forward today with federal approval of a new environmental impact statement.

[Read Full Text]

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet seeks to intervene
Suit by River Fields, National Trust poses danger of delay, higher cost

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 11, 2011) – To help ensure the Ohio River Bridges Project moves forward, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit by River Fields and the National Trust for Historic Preservation against the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

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A federal judge has granted to the federal government request to move a lawsuit filed by two groups opposing the project's plan from a federal court in Washington, DC to U.S. District Court for the western district of Kentucky: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges lawsuit headed to Kentucky court (Dec. 23, 2009) 

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has authorized the sale of $100 million in bonds to start right-of-way purchases for the Ohio River Bridges projects: Louisville Courier-Journal: Governor OKs bond sale to start bridges project property buys (Dec. 18, 2009) 

Gov. Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson recently named members to a bi-state authority to oversee the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridge authority members named (Oct. 30, 2009) , Associated Press: 7 appointed to bridge panel (Oct. 30, 2009) 

For the second straight year Kentucky and Indiana failed to meet a federal deadline to update the cost of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges financing plan misses second annual deadline (Oct. 6, 2009) 

Planners are making contingency plans for how to proceed if a tunnel under a historic Jefferson County property is removed from plans for the new East End Bridge that is part of Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Tunnel to bridge is now in question (Sept. 20, 2009) 

The Louisville-based conservation group River Fields and the national preservation organization National Trust for Historic Preservation have files suit in federal court claiming that the Federal Highway Administration broke the law in its 2003 approval of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: River Fields lawsuit could halt Ohio River Bridges Project (Sept. 10, 2009) , Associated Press: Suit seeks to halt bridges project (Sept. 10, 2009) 

The Courier-Journal printed two letters to the editor in opposition to the lawsuits: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges lawsuit is criticized (Sept. 16, 2009) 

A new bi-state negotiating team met today in Louisville to discuss the creation of a bridge authority to oversee financing of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Ky., Ind. panel recommends bi-state bridges oversight (Sept. 15, 2009) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Ohio River bridges project negotiators will meet Tuesday (Sept. 14, 2009) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges negotiating team to meet Tuesday (Sept. 11, 2009) 

• Kentucky and Indiana have both appointed representatives to a group that will negotiate issues related to the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Louisville Courier-Journal: Ky. negotiators named to establish bridges' authority (Aug. 17, 2009) , Associated Press: Beshear, Abramson appoint negotiators for bridges (Aug. 18, 2009) 

• Concerns over financing the bridges project could limit the ability to move quickly on other transportation projects: Louisville Courier-Journal: Bridges delay risks flexibility for smaller projects; December deadline looms for transportation projects (Aug. 18, 2009) 

• The Courier-Journal ran an editorial cartoon depicting the bridges project's looming December funding deadline: Louisville Courier-Journal: The Bridge to No Way (Aug. 22, 2009) 

The Courier-Journal recently reported that leaders from the two houses of the Kentucky legislature were divided on bills concerning funding the project to build two new bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville; additionally, federal transportation officials say that adding tolls to the bridge will cause an 18 month delay due to plans needing to be reviewed: Louisvlle Courier-Journal: Fate of bridges' funding bill is uncertain; tolls a hitch (March 26, 2009) 

Update (April 1, 2009): Louisville Courier-Journal: Kentucky inaction stalls Indiana bill on bridge projects; Oversight panels in states at issue (April 1, 2009) 

A committee in the Indiana House of Representatives has approved a bill that would create a commission coordinate activities related to the construction of two new Interstate bridges over the Ohio River near Louisville and a new bridge to replace the US 421 bridge over the Ohio River between Milton, KY and Madison, IN.

More information: Associated Press: Commission proposed to focus on Ohio River bridges (Jan. 30, 2009) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Indiana panel may focus on Ohio River bridges (Jan. 30, 2009) 

Update Feb. 12, 2008: The bill has passed in the Indiana House: Louisville Courier-Journal: Ind. House passes bridge commission bill (Feb. 12, 2009) 

The number of designs for the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville have been narrowed to three apiece: Courier-Journal: Bridge options unveiled (July 19, 2006) , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: Downtown Bridge Design Alternatives , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: East End Bridge Design Alternatives 

The interchange between I-64 and Third Street in downtown Louisville may be closed as part of Spaghetti Junction reconstruction partition of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Courier-Journal: Third Street ramp might be eliminated; River Road would gain exit (April 18, 2006) 

Construction work has begun on the Louisville east end bridge project. This phase of work involves the reconstruction of the current end of the Gene Snyder Freeway at US 42: Busines First of Louisville: Bridges project to begin construction activity (March 2, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Relief on way for U.S. 42-Snyder intersection; Open house to let public examine project (April 26, 2006) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Ground broken for two costly Ohio River bridges (June 20, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Dynamite work to start at U.S. 42 and Snyder (July 19, 2006) 

A shift of funding to the Louisville Bridge Project could delay dozens of other state road projects: Courier-Journal: Bridges plan could delay 80 state road projects; $789 million in federal funds now targeted for Louisville (Feb. 28, 2006) , Danville Advocate-Messenger: Bridge construction could delay U.S. 27 project in Garrard (Feb. 28, 2006) 

A suggested proposal for the reconstruction of Spaghetti Junction would remove I-64 from downtown Louisville and route it into Indiana over the proposed East End Bridge: Courier-Journal: Plan would erase I-64 from downtown; Bridges proposal faces uphill battle (Nov. 25, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Public will get chances to see ideas for bridge; Two hearings set on downtown span (Nov. 28, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Downtown bridge ideas unveiled; Public provides feedback on designs (Nov. 30, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Bridge designs to be unveiled; Public can see how eastern span may look (Dec. 11, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Spaghetti Junction debated; Forum explores removing I-64 (Jan. 12, 2006) 

The Oldham Era takes a look at the process of designing the proposed Louisville East End bridge: Oldham Era: Designers seek input for East End bridge (Nov. 4, 2005) 

A recent river cruise allowed are leaders to view the potential paths of the new Ohio River bridges at Louisville: Jeffersonville Evening News: Cruise gives insight on bridge routes (Oct. 7, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Two meetings will seek ideas on design of East End bridge; Open houses set for today, Thursday (Oct. 18, 2005) , Jeffersonville Evening News: Area residents weigh-in on east-end bridge design (Oct. 19, 2005) , Courier-Journal: A recipe to rebuild Spaghetti Junction; Untangling plan will be unveiled this week (Oct. 23, 2005) , WAVE 3: Spaghetti Junction Makeover Projected To Cost $1.1 Billion (Oct. 28, 2005) 

Recently, members of the public had the opportunity to express their opinion on the design of the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Public to get say on new bridge design; Downtown span's style, fit are topics (Sept. 19, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Residents' thoughts vary on downtown bridge (Sept. 21, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Thoughts on bridge flow freely at meeting; 'Spectacular' span? Low-maintenance? (Sept. 21, 2005) 

In other Louisville bridge related news, Indiana officials are urging that the proposed East End bridge be built before the downtown bridge: Louisville Courier-Journal: Eastern bridge priority urged; Officials say it will have greater economic impact (Sept. 29, 2005) 

Plans for a redesigned Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville will be changed to avoid impacting the city’s Extreme Park: Courier-Journal: Planners do a 180 on Extreme Park; Pillars for Spaghetti Junction won't be in skate area (July 29, 2005) 

Indiana has bought the first parcel of land that will someday become the right-of-way for the new Louisville east-end bridge: Louisville Courier-Journal: Indiana buys land for bridges project; Purchase is first in long process (June 12, 2005) 

Kentucky and Indiana will allow subcontractors working on projects related to the proposed Eastern Jefferson County Ohio River bridge to handle right of way acquisition instead of having one contractor handle all of the property purchases: Courier-Journal: New plan to buy land for bridges assailed; States say change is more efficient (April 8, 2005) 

In other bridge news, another protest group has popped up to claim the two proposed bridges at Louisville are unneeded: (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Bridges not needed, group contends (April 8, 2005) 

A WAVE 3 reporter describes his look at a 3D model of the proposed bridges: WAVE 3 TV: Downtown Bridges Will Eliminate Spaghetti Junction (April 20, 2005) 

The Courier-Journal profiles Ed Cox, who is the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Project Manager for the bridges project: Courier-Journal: Engineer is at the helm of bridge project; He's no stranger to improving traffic (April 25, 2005) 

The Louisville Courier-Journal gathered reactions to a study that involved the use of balloons to mark the proposed path and height of the approaches to the proposed Eastern Jefferson County Ohio River Bridge: Courier-Journal: Balloon experiment marks path of planned bridge (March 10, 2005) 

In related news, Clark County, Indiana recently hired a consultant to help plan for development once the new east end bridge is open: The New Albany (Ind.) Evening News: County prepares for impact of east end bridge (March 11, 2005) 

Louisville’s WAVE 3 gathers area-resident’s reactions to the balloons marking the path of the proposed east end bridge: WAVE 3: Prospect Residents Get Bridge Preview (March 9, 2005) 

On March 8th and 9th, engineers designing the new East End Bridge over the Ohio River in Jefferson County will use balloons to mark the approximate location and height of the approach to the proposed approach to the bridge: Business First: Balloons will simulate East End bridge approach (Feb. 28, 2005) 

March 9, 2005 Update: More information: Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Engineers will use balloons to show bridge approach elevation (March 6, 2005) 

Land in the path of the proposed bridge east of downtown Louisville is being developed, partially because of Kentucky’s laws governing right-of-way acquisition. Under Kentucky law, if land is condemned for the purchase of a highway, the original owner may repurchase it at the sale price if the land isn’t used in eight years.

More information: Courier-Journal: Land develops in bridge's path as state waits (Jan. 23, 2005) , Associated Press: Couple's dream home going up in path of proposed bridge (Jan. 23, 2005) 

Consultants discuss how the new Louisville Downtown bridge will change access to I-65 and the US 31 Clark Memorial Bridge in Jeffersonville, Indiana: The (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: City faces new traffic pattern with new Ohio River Bridge (Dec. 10, 2004) 

Today, Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed Sam Beverage, PE as State Highway Engineer. The State Highway Engineer works with the Commissioner of Highways to administer the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the more than 27,000 miles of state maintained roads in Kentucky. Beverage has previously served the transportation cabinet as Chief District Engineer for District 6, District 10, and District 11. Earlier this year, Gov. Fletcher appointed Beverage as Chief District Engineer for both Districts 10 and 11. Beverage also previously served as Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Highways.

Beverage will replace J.M. “Mac” Yowell. Since becoming State Highway Engineer in 1992, Yowell has served under three governors: Jones, Patton, and Fletcher. At twelve years, he was the longest serving state highway engineer in the nation. Yowell will continue to serve the cabinet in the capacity of an executive advisor.

Among the transportation cabinet’s accomplishments during Yowell’s tenure was the completion of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Yowell was a driving force behind the completion of that project.

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The design team has been picked for the new Louisville East End Bridge over the Ohio River: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: East End Bridge Design Team Selected (Nov. 12, 2004) , Courier-Journal: Bridge designer selected (Nov. 13, 2004) 

The engineering firm Michael Baker Jr. Inc. has been chosen to design the new downtown bridge that is part of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Designs for the bridge will eventually be presented at public meeting and displayed on www.kyinbridges.com . Construction is tentatively expected to begin in 2007.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Press Release (Oct. 29, 2004) , The (Jeffersonville, IN) Evening News: Michael Baker Jr., Inc. firm to design downtown bridge (Oct. 29, 2004) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Pennsylvania company will design bridge (Oct. 30, 2004) 

The idea of tolling the two new proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville came to the forefront in Indiana's 9th District congressional race; however, the possibility of tolling the bridges is not currently being considered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Courier-Journal: Toll idea captures campaign in Indiana (Oct. 26, 2004) , (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Hill, Sodrel battle over bridge tolls (Oct. 26, 2004) 

Five of the nation’s largest bridge designers will submit designs for the two new bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville. Area leaders want the bridges to be signature pieces that help define the Louisville metropolitan area. Designs for the new bridges are expected to be chosen this fall: Courier-Journal: Top firms compete to design 2 new bridges (Sept. 13, 2004) 

Courier-Journal columnist Bob Hill asked his readers to send him essays describing designs for the bridge: Courier-Journal: Bridge design needs some local flavor (Sept. 14, 2004) 

Kentucky and Indiana have begun soliciting bids for design work related to the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville: Business First of Louisville: States seek design for Ohio River Bridges (July 14, 2004) , Courier-Journal: Bridge designs sought (July 15, 2004) 

The State of Indiana has already awarded contracts for the design and engineering of the Indiana bridge approaches: Business First of Louisville: Indiana names contractors for its portion of bridges project (July 26, 2004) 

Some alterations have been made to the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency’s Transportation Improvement Plans. The changes reflect changes relating to the funding of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project: The (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Transportation plan is updated for Bridges project (June 28, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded two contracts for design engineering on two segments of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project. Qk4, Inc. has been awarded a project to redesign the Spaghetti Junction interchange in downtown, and H.W. Lochner, Inc. has been awarded a project to design the extension of the Gene Snyder Freeway from I-71 to the new Ohio River bridge: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Two Kentucky Companies Named As Engineering and Design Consultants for Ohio River Bridges Project (June 17, 2004) , Business First: Consultants picked for Ohio River Bridges Project (June 14, 2004) 

Additionally, Kentucky and Indiana are soliciting for bids for a contract to design the bridges: Courier-Journal: State to seek bids on designs for new bridges (June 18, 2004) 

A report by a tax watchdog group and environmental activist group denounces plans to construct a new Ohio River bridge in eastern Jefferson County and plans to construct Interstate 66 across Kentucky: Courier-Journal: East End bridge draws fire (June 3, 2004) 

As part of a continuing project to recognize the birthplaces of Kentucky’s musicians signs have recently been erected honoring Ray Goins  and Curley Ray Cline . (Update (Apr. 24): WKYT: Bluegrass Fiddler Honored (Apr. 23, 2004) )

A ceremony has held recently to dedicate the Helen Brown Bridge . Helen Brown was influential in having the Pikeville area bridge built.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports on road projects planned for Warren and surrounding counties: Bowling Green Daily News: Transportation budget on track (April 5, 2004) 

Environmental groups oppose the Louisville Bridges Project, I-66, and other expedited projects: Courier-Journal: Environmental groups critical of bridges project (Apr. 9, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reminds motorists to brake for construction workers .

Kentucky’s State Highway Engineer, James M. “Mac” Yowell, has been inducted to the University of Kentucky’s Engineering Hall of Distinction.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a transportation project authorization bill containing a number of Kentucky projects. Including:

The Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project

• $7 million for continuing the Brent Spence Bridge replacement study
• I-65 connector route in Warren County
• Pennyrile Parkway extension in Christian County
• The Heartland Parkway
• I-66 northern bypass of Somerset

The Senate has passed a similar bill. Differences between the two bills must now be reconciled and passed by both houses before going before the president for his approval or veto.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bill with bridges money held up (Apr. 1, 2004)  , Business First of Louisville: House passes bill with funding for bridges project (Mar. 29, 2004) , Cincinnati Post: $7M for bridge a drop in bucket (Apr. 3, 2004) , Kentucky New Era: $8 million approved for parkway extension (Apr. 3, 2004) , Central Kentucky News-Journal: Parkway is closer to reality (Apr. 4, 2004) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that greater Cincinnati area projects are fairing poorly in the bill: Cincinnati Enquirer: Local roads kicked to the curb (Apr. 2, 2004) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer compares progress towards building two new bridges at Louisville to the project to replace the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan lags Louisville's (March 20, 2004) 

The Louisville plan has already cleared environmental approval—a major hurdle—and will be constructed before work starts in Northern Kentucky.

Public meetings were held recently to discuss funding for bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville; however, attendance was sparse and little information is available about what was discussed: (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Evening News: Public hearings to evaluate bridge funding (March 18, 2004) 

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning said he may have misspoke when he said that one of the two proposed Ohio River bridges at Louisville would need to be delayed during a conference call on Thursday. He said that work on the two Louisville bridges should not be delayed. Additionally, he said that he hopes plans for the replacement of Northern Kentucky's Brent Spence Bridge are included in the federal six year highway plan.

State Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, a Hazard democrat who hopes to unseat Sen. Bunning, held a meeting to discuss the Brent Spence Bridge replacement project on Thursday. Mongiardo said that he wanted to "get a local feel for what the public's understanding is of the problem of the bridge."

More information: Kentucky Post: Mongiardo to hold bridge discussion (Feb. 26, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Bunning clarifies stance on bridges (Feb. 27, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Mongiardo: Replace the bridge (Feb. 27, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Bunning behind two spans in Louisville (Feb. 27, 2004) 

According to an Associated Press story, U.S. Senator Jim Bunning told a Louisville civic group that one of Louisville’s new interstate bridges over the Ohio River will need to be delayed. The Associated Press reports that Sen. Bunning later told a WHAS-TV reporter, “I think it's very important that you get a bridge ... and make sure you decide where you are going to put the first one. And then, you are going to have to wait a year or two or three because we have to divert some money up into northern Kentucky to get that because ours is falling down.”

This shocked Louisville leaders. The two bridges have already been approved by the Federal Highway Administration as a single project, and the proposed state budget has allocated $118 million to continue design work for the bridges. Bunning said that the Louisville will get one bridge and then money will be used to replace the Brent Spence Bridge carrying I-71/I-75 over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. Bunning is from Northern Kentucky.

On Saturday, Bunning told a report from Louisville’s Courier-Journal that he never said the second bridge would be delayed and refused to give further comment.

Steve Higdon, president of Greater Louisville Inc, said that he believes Bunning was unaware that the two bridges had been approved as a single project and that as soon Bunning was made aware of this fact it would “put the entire issue to rest.”

More information: Associated Press: Bunning denies saying bridge project should be delayed for N. Kentucky bridge (Feb. 22, 2004) , Courier-Journal: Bunning talk on bridges a shocker (Feb. 22, 2004) 

Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bailey told state legislators on Wednesday that no projects were cut from this year's version of the Six Year Highway plan; however, some projects have delayed due to the states budget problems.

The list of projects is too long to list here; however, some notable projects are listed below.

• $118 million for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Some of this money will be raised by selling bonds that would be repaid when promised federal funding is allocated for the project.
• $78 million for reconstruction of the Owensboro bypass to the east of its current alignment. This is meant to improve access to the William H. Natcher Bridge.
• Widening of I-64 from Louisville to Shelbyville.
• Widening of I-65 from the Tennessee State Line to Bowling Green.
• Widening of I-75 in Scott and Grant counties.
• Southern extensions of both the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway and the William H. Natcher Parwkay.

A notable absence from the list is funding for replacing the I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River; however, the project remains on the unscheduled needs list and officials claim that it is still a priority. Construction on the project is still over a decade away.

This year the transportation cabinet has split the list into projects that will receive federal funding and projects that will not receive federal funding. Projects that will be funded only by the state are expected to be delayed and will be prioritized by need.

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Transportation Cabinet Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey has pledged his support for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project; however, he has declined to answer question about how much funding will be included for the project in the next Six-Year Highway Plan. The plan is expected to be released later this week. Bailey’s refusal to answer has raised concern among some bridge supporters that the state will not fully fund its required share of the bridge construction costs.

More information: Courier-Journal: State official pledges support for bridges (Feb. 10, 2004) 

The spending bill approved by Congress this past Thursday includes funding for a number of Kentucky projects including $9.8 for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project (including money for right-of-way purchase), $2.5 million to replace TARC busses and trolleys in Louisville, and $1.5 million to reconstruct the intersection of KY 911 and KY 115 in Oak Grove.

More information: Courier-Journal: Louisville projects net $36 million (Jan. 23, 2004) , (Louisville) Business First: Louisville projects getting $36.16 million in federal funding (Jan. 22, 2004) , (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Senate OKs $1.5 million for Oak Grove road upgrades (Jan. 24, 2004) 

In addition to the two proposed new bridges in eastern Jefferson County, Louisville Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins is pushing for the construction of a bridge over the Ohio River in the western part of the county. The bridge would be two-lanes and would connect the Gene Snyder Freeway with either Cane Run Road or Indiana 111.

The environment impact study for the two proposed interstate bridges included a southwest bridge option; however, it concluded that traffic usage would not be high. A southwestern bridge would likely carry 14,000 cars per day compared to 68,000 for the easternmost proposed interstate bridge.

More information: Courier-Journal: Southwest Jefferson bridge proposed (Jan. 17, 2003) 

The northeastern Jefferson County suburb of prospect will promote itself during a year-long .We Love Prospect. campaign. The city hopes to use its proximity to a proposed Ohio River bridge to attract new residents.

More information: Courier-Journal: Prospect prepares PR blitz to counter bridge publicity (Dec. 22, 2003) 

Transportation officials from Kentucky and Indiana have adopted a plan to encourage minority-owned business involvement in the construction of two new interstate bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville.

More information: Business First: Kentucky, Indiana form plan to help businesses participate in bridges project (Dec.5, 2003) 

Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan have appointed a two-state committee to enhance minority participation on the Louisville Southern-Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project.

More information: Press Release from Office of Gov. Patton: Patton, Kernan Name Joint Panel to Oversee Minority Role in Ohio River Bridges Project (Nov. 13, 2003) , Associated Press: Governors appoint two-state panel for bridge projects (Nov. 13, 2003) 

Plans for a new downtown bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville could disrupt the Waterfront Park.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bridge project design could threaten park (October 21, 2003) 

The Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision marking the approval of the Environmental Impact Study of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project. This clears the way for final design and right-of-way acquisition.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation honored the transportation cabinet.s environmental stewardship in developing the bridge plans.

More information: Courier Journal: Couisville bridges project confirmed (Sept. 6, 2003) , Courier Journal: Bridges project clears U.S. review (Sept. 24, 2003) , KYTC Press Release: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Recognized Nationally for Environmental Stewardship on Ohio River Bridges Project (Sept. 26, 2003) 

Community Transportation Solutions, a Louisville based partnership, has been chosen to manage the 17-year project to construct two new interstate bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville. CTS says it will hold an international competition for the bridge designs, construct both bridges simultaneously, and complete the project in less than 17 years. The project also includes the rebuilding of Louisville's Spaghetti Junction.

The Federal Highway Administration is expected to approve plans for the bridges in August.

The CTS partnership was formed in 1998 to complete the bridge environmental study. The partnership is made up of Parsons Transportation Group of Chicago; HMB Professional Engineers of Frankfort; and Beam, Longest and Neff Engineers of Indianapolis.

More information: Courier-Journal: CTS will manage bridges project; Announcement today is a month ahead of schedule (July 24, 2003) , Courier-Journal: CTS will oversee 17-year construction of 2 Ohio River bridges; Representatives promise quick, efficient service project (July 25, 2003) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: General Engineering Consultant Selected for Ohio River Bridges Project Development (July 24, 2004) 

The Indiana, Kentucky, and the Federal Highway Administration have reached a 40-page agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation that is aimed to protect historic properties near the sites of the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville.

More information: Courier-Journal: Deal made to save sites by bridges (April 10, 2003) 

In other news, the Environmental Impact Study has been approved. The most recent federal budge includes $8 million to begin purchasing right of way, construction could start in four years, and the project should be complete by 2020. Total construction costs could be as much as $2.5 billion.

More information: Associated Press: Federal agency wants two bridges for Ohio River at Louisville (April 16, 2003) , Associated Press: 2 bridges over Ohio could cost $2.5 billion (April 17, 2003) , Associated Press: Two companies vying for Ohio River bridges project (July 7, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Bridges project to get $9.8 million House panel expected to OK funds Monday (July 18, 2003) 

The federal budget for 2002 includes money for several road projects in Kentucky. These projects include:

• Planning for widening KY 101 in Edmonson County
• Planning for the construction of an interchange with I-65 for the Kentucky Trimodal Transpark in Warren County
• Right-of-way acquasiation and utility relocation for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridge Project
• Bridge rennovation in Lincoln County
• Construction of a sound barrier on I-75 in Fayette County
• Widening of I-75 to six lanes in Rockcastle County
• Construction of the I-66 Northern By-pass of Somerset
• Bridge replacement on Monticello Street in Somerset

More information: Daily News: Region lands more than $13 million in funds (Feb. 15, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Budget funds projects in area (Feb. 15, 2003) , Herald-Leader: Kentucky projects in federal budget bill (Feb. 15, 2003) 

The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project has been selected to receive accelerated environmental review.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

Gov. Paul Patton of Kentucky and Gov. Frank O'Bannon of Indiana announced the preferred routes for a plan to build two new bridges across the Ohio River at Louisville and reconstruct "Spaghetti Junction" in downtown Louisville. The plan must now be approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

The downtown project would reconstruct the intersection of I-64, I-65, and I-71 and move it slightly southward. A new bridge would be constructed just to the east of the existing Kennedy Bridge. The new bridge would carry six-lanes of northbound traffic, and the existing bridge would be reconfigured to carry six-lanes of southbound traffic. The preferred route is known as C-1 in the bridge report.

The second bridge project is east of downtown. The preferred route, known as A-15, is a combination bridge and tunnel designed to avoid neighborhoods and historic structures. It would connect the Gene Snyder Freeway in Kentucky to IN-265 in Indiana. This is the "missing link" in the connection of Indiana's I-265 to Kentucky's I-265.

The project is expected to take 10 years and cost $1.4 billion to complete. Right of way acquisition could begin in two years.

More information: Courier-Journal: States choose bridge routes (July 26, 2002) , Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project 

The Courier-Journal has a special section with articles about the bridges, maps, and videos .

New developments in Indiana's Utica Township cause the count of houses in the path of the bridge to mushroom from 5 to over 75: more developments are planned for coming years. The new housing developments will increase the cost of the bridge project. More information: Courier-Journal: Indiana developments in path boost project cost (July 28, 2002) 

Other bridge information: Courier-Journal: Eminent domain can be hard to contest (July 28, 2002) 

Favored routes for two new bridges over the Ohio River have emerged from a group of citizens and officials conducting a study for the Ohio River Bridges Project. Although a final recommendation won't come until next month, alternative C-1 for a downtown bridge and alternative A-15 for an eastern bridge are the clear favorites.

The favorite route for a downtown bridge, C-15, would involve building a new bridge just east of I-65's Kennedy Bridge. Spaghetti Junction, the intersection of I-64, I-65, and I-71, would be rebuilt to accommodate the new bridge and relieve congestion on the interstate. Spaghetti Junction would be shifted to the south. This move would affect the Butchertown and Phoenix Hill neighborhoods in Louisville. The Indiana approach to the bridge would affect downtown Jeffersonville. The designers of Louisville's Riverfront Park anticipated the construction of alternative C-1 into their design for the park. The cost of the project is estimated to be $2 billion and would take 10 years to complete.

The favorite route for the new eastern Jefferson County bridge, A-15, manages to bypass Prospect, KY and Utica, IN to the delight of both communities. The route would connect to the current terminus of the Gene Snyder Freeway at US 42 in Jefferson County pass to the south of Prospect, cross the Ohio River, swing to the north of Utica, IN, and connect to Indiana Route 265. This route involves the construction of a tunnel on the Kentucky to minimize impact on the historic Drumanard Estate. If built this would connect the Kentucky I-265 to Indiana's I-265.

More information: Courier-Journal: Two bridge routes emerge as favorites (June 27, 2002) , Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project: Maps and Descriptions 

A redesign of Spaghetti Junction, the interchange between I-65, I-64, and I-71 in Louisville, which is planned as part of the Ohio River bridge project could affect the Louisville neighborhood of Butchertown. Local residents are seeking to have the area designated as a preservation district.

More information: Courier-Journal: Spaghetti Junction redesign proposals worry Butchertown 

"Three of the six proposed routes for an east-end bridge crossing the Ohio River would significantly harm wetlands, endangered animals, creeks and neighborhoods, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says."

Full Article: EPA fears 3 proposed bridge routes harmful. The Courier-Journal. (March 27, 2002) 

This Mar. 25, 2002 article  from the Courier-Journal covers some of the things that went into the $22.1 Million study of the environmental impact of the proposed Ohio River bridges. The study and its technical reports stand over eight feet tall. Among the things that went into the report are studies of bats conducted by gluing radio transmitters onto them, dredging the Ohio River to look for mussels, cataloging and analyzing historic properties, and recording noise levels a 178 points. Of course for all of the detail that went into the report, anti-bridge groups claim that it fails to accurately represent the environment of the area.

The Courier-Journal reports in this Feb. 10, 2002 article  that the governors of Indiana and Kentucky both still support the proposed bridges over the Ohio River near Louisville.

The Courier-Journal reports in this Feb. 4, 2002 article  that public meeting will be held this week to discuss the Louisville-Southern Indiana bridge project. More information about the project can be found at www.kyinbridges.com . The public is invited to comment on the projects until Feb. 25.

This Courier-Journal article  reports that the city of Prospect dislikes all alternatives for an eastern bridge over the Ohio River in Jefferson County. Their favorite of the alternatives, however, is the alternative that bypasses Prospect. The Prospect city council claims that several proposed routes would make sections of the town uninhabitable.

The conference version of the Transportation spending bill  has passed both houses of Congress and is now waiting to be signed by the President.

Kentucky is mentioned several places in the bill:

• $2,000,000 for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) providing Eastern Kentucky rural highway information,
• $750,000 for an ITS for Lexington,
• $2,000,000 for a statewide transportation operations center,
• the corridors for I-66 and I-69 have been redefined: I-66 is now defined to use the Nunn Cumberland Parkway and I-69 is now defined to use the Carrol Purchase Parkway,
• Kentucky may now post signs saying "Future I-69" on the Purchase Parkway and "Future I-66" in the Cumberland Parkway,
• $4,000,000 for to help access to an industrial park in Clay and Leslie counties,
• $50,000 for work on Kentucky 55,
• $1,600,000 for work on Kentucky 192 in McCreary county,
• $1,000,000 for improvements to the intersection at the end of Grover Carey Bridge in Owensboro,
• $250,000 for work on Kentucky 61 in Green county,
• $300,000 for work on Kentucky 92 in Whitley county,
• $20,000,000 for I-66 (I believe this is the Somerset-London segment.),
• $2,500,000 for I-66 in Pike County,
• $320,000 for work on KY 1848 between I-64 and US 60,
• $1,000,000 for the Monticello Street underpass in Somerset,
• $1,000,000 for work on the Pennyrile Parkway (I believe this is for the southern extension to I-24),
• $1,500,000 for work on Stone Coal Road in Johnson county,
• $2,000,000 for work on US 25 near Renfro Valley,
• $5,000,000 for work on US 27 between Somerset and KY 70,
• $80,000 for work on US 27 near Burnside,
• $850,000 for work on US 431 near Lewisburg,
• $500,000 for right-of-way for US 60 in Henderson County,
• $100,000 for work on US 41A,
• $50,00 for Estill County bypass lighting around Irvine,
• $300,000 for Estill County industrial park access road,
• $400,000 for Fegenbush Lane Bridge at Fern Creek,
• $1,000,000 for Henderson riverfront project,
• $1,000,000 for engineering work on Kentucky 61 from Kentucky 487 to Columbia,
• $800,000 for Johnstown Road,
• $2,350,000 for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Regional Trail Improvements,
• $1,000,000 for improved access to Louisville's water front park,
• $600,000 for median on US 42 from Harrods Creek to River Road,
• $1,800,000 for Owensboro Riverfront redevelopment project,
• $42,600 for Park City sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Somerset downtown revitalization,
• $6,600,000 for Southern bypass around the southwestern portion of Somerset,
• $125,000 for Vine Grove sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge,
• $1,400,000 for Cold Hill Road,
• $995,000 for Craigs Creek Road,
• $1,500,000 for Daniel Boone Parkway between mileposts 37 and 44,
• $2,000,000 for Brent Spence Bridge replacement I-75 and I-71 near Cincinnati,
• $375,000 for work at I-75 Exit 11,
• $2,500,000 for Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project,
• $885,000 for Kentucky Scenic byways (Country Music Highway, Wilderness Road Heritage Highway, Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway),
• $30,000,000 for work Appalachian Development Highway System,
• $4,534,000 for the Kentucky Transportation Department to provide buses, vans, cutaways, and bus facilities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
• $1,500,000 for Big South Fork Scenic Railroad enhancement project, and
• $5,000,000 for Southern Kentucky Intermodal Transportation Park.

Quite an impressive haul; however, there is no funding for I-175.

The long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Study of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridge Project is complete. The study details several options for recommended improvements, including the no build option, several options for downtown bridge, options for new bridge in eastern Jefferson County, and options considering the effect of two new bridges. A number of public meetings and open houses  have been scheduled. The DEIS can be found here  and articles about the DEIS from the Courier-Journal can be found here .

The Courier-Journal reports in this Sept. 7, 2001 article  that the results of a study outlining the strengths and weaknesses of nine possible bridge routes linking Jefferson County and Southern Indiana are expected next month. The eastern bridge alternatives would link I-265 in Indiana and Kentucky. Already, groups are preparing to fight both for and against the proposed bridges.

The official website for the study is www.kyinbridges.com .