Tagged: Ohio River Bridges Project

Louisville's annual IdeaFestival draws top thinkers to the city. Ideally, it gets people talking about the city as well. This year's festival did just that, but the most recent chatter isn't entirely flattering.

Officials from Kentucky, Indiana and the federal government are celebrating what they call the start of construction on the long-planned Ohio River Bridges Project. But a preservation group will continue its fight against a portion of the plan.

Next week, a ceremonial groundbreaking will be held for a road extension in Clark County, Indiana.  The three million dollar contract is among the first for the Ohio River Bridges Project, which after more than 40 years of study, debate, and untold public hearings is moving forward.  The project of course includes a new East End bridge, with construction overseen by Indiana.   The Kentucky-managed part of the project includes a new downtown bridge and the reworking of Spaghetti Junction.

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., addressed final approval of the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project by the federal government.

The Federal Highway Administration announced Wednesday it will allow Kentucky and Indiana to charge motorists a fee to use Interstate-65 (Kennedy Bridge) and the two new spans that are schedule to be built.

Details on tolling are still being worked out, but Yarmuth sidestepped that portion of the press release and rather focused on looking forward to the first phase.

From Yarmuth's office:

"This is the final signature needed from the federal government to begin construction of the Bridges Project," Yarmuth said. "I received personal assurances from Transportation Secretary LaHood and President Obama that the federal approval process would be expedited, and they have followed through on those commitments. Nothing else stands in the way of construction, and I look forward to breaking ground on the East End Bridge later this month."

The federal government has approved the tolling plan for the Ohio River Bridges Project.

This means the project has cleared its final federal hurdle, and tolls may be placed on the new East End Bridge, the new downtown bridge and the existing Interstate 65 span.