Apr 20 Local News Bridges Project Clears Federal Hurdle The start of construction on the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project is inching closer. The federal government has approved the latest environmental impact statement for the project. The study was ordered after the mayor of Louisville and the governors of Kentucky and Indiana proposed shrinking the project to save $1.6 billion. The governors also […] By Gabe Bullard Apr 20 Local News Bridges Project Clears Federal Hurdle Gabe Bullard
Apr 19 Local News Fischer Rallies In Support of Road Budget, Though Passage Is Likely Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is rallying in Frankfort this afternoon to urge state lawmakers to pass a transportation budget. However, the General Assembly made a deal yesterday to pass the legislation. The rally will center around the Ohio River Bridges Project, which is partially funded in the state spending plan. “We are very close,” says […] By Gabe Bullard Apr 19 Local News Fischer Rallies In Support of Road Budget, Though Passage Is Likely Gabe Bullard
Apr 16 Local News Lack of Transportation Budget Delays Action on Bridges Project The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the General Assembly’s inaction on a transportation budget has put the Ohio River Bridges Project on hold. The commonwealth is in charge of the downtown portion of the project, which includes a new bridge between Louisville and southern Indiana and a reworking of Spaghetti Junction. This week, the state Transportation […] By Gabe Bullard Apr 16 Local News Lack of Transportation Budget Delays Action on Bridges Project Gabe Bullard
Apr 3 Local News Five Firms Vying for Downtown Bridge Contract Five companies are vying to build the downtown portion of the Ohio River Bridges Project. Kentucky is in charge of appointing a firm to build a new bridge between downtown Louisville and southern Indiana. The company will also rework Spaghetti Junction. The deadline for applications was this week, and transportation cabinet officials will spend the […] By Gabe Bullard Apr 3 Local News Five Firms Vying for Downtown Bridge Contract Gabe Bullard
Dec 29 Local News Agreement Calls For Divided Funding, Oversight of Bridges Project Kentucky and Indiana have agreed on a funding plan for the Ohio River Bridges Project. The plan splits the funding—and oversight of the project—down the middle. Under the plan, Kentucky will be responsible for the new I-65 bridge and improvements to the Kennedy Bridge and Spaghetti Junction, as well as Indiana’s approach to I-65. Indiana […] By Erica Peterson Dec 29 Local News Agreement Calls For Divided Funding, Oversight of Bridges Project Erica Peterson
Nov 22 Local News Officials Expect Traffic Backup on Bridges on Thanksgiving The Indiana Department of Transportation is expecting significant traffic problems on the Kennedy Bridge due to Thanksgiving-related travel. With the Sherman Minton Bridge closed, projections show traffic backing up for miles on I-65 southbound at the bridge during Thanksgiving Day. Northbound traffic should be about the same as it usually is. The problem could be […] By Gabe Bullard Nov 22 Local News Officials Expect Traffic Backup on Bridges on Thanksgiving Gabe Bullard
Nov 17 Local News Feds Approve Revised Bridges Plan, New Public Comment Period Begins Public meetings have been set on the revised Ohio River Bridges Project plan. Earlier this year, Mayor Greg Fischer and the governors of Kentucky and Indiana put forward a plan to scale back the project and cut the cost from $4.1 billion to $2.9 billion. That prompted an environmental review from the Federal Highway Administration. […] By Gabe Bullard Nov 17 Local News Feds Approve Revised Bridges Plan, New Public Comment Period Begins Gabe Bullard
Nov 1 Local News Paul Bridges Amendment Fails on Senate Floor by Dan Conti, Kentucky Public Radio Senator Rand Paul’s bid to take money from highway beautification projects and use it to repair bridges and other transportation infrastructure has failed on the senate floor. The Kentucky Republican proposed eliminating money for landscaping projects like walking and bike paths and re-directing the funds for bridge work. “This […] By WFPL News Nov 1 Local News Paul Bridges Amendment Fails on Senate Floor WFPL News
Sep 14 Local News The Wednesday Morning Commute: 7am Update Wednesday begins with one bright spot: officials say the traffic on Monday and Tuesday has been moving more smoothly than expected. Small comfort if you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or if you’re getting up much earlier to start your commute – but worth noting. A few notes: Wednesday morning traffic is reverting back to normal […] By Todd Mundt Sep 14 Local News The Wednesday Morning Commute: 7am Update Todd Mundt
Sep 12 Local News Indiana Brewer Says Bridge Closure A Chance for Hoosiers to Visit Local Businesses A New Albany business owner says the Sherman Minton Bridge’s closure has given him a better chance to connect with Hoosier customers. Roger Baylor is co-owner of the New Albanian Brewing Company, which has two restaurants in the city. He says he’s not worried about losing business in the short term while New Albany’s connection […] By Gabe Bullard Sep 12 Local News Indiana Brewer Says Bridge Closure A Chance for Hoosiers to Visit Local Businesses Gabe Bullard
Sep 12 Local News Officials Say Kennedy and Clark Bridges Can Handle Extra Weight Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials say the Kennedy and Clark Memorial bridges can handle the additional traffic load from the Sherman Minton Bridge. The Sherman Minton is closed indefinitely due to structural damage. The 80,000 cars that cross it daily are being rerouted to the two downtown bridges, which are already over capacity. (To see the […] By Gabe Bullard Sep 12 Local News Officials Say Kennedy and Clark Bridges Can Handle Extra Weight Gabe Bullard
Jul 8 Local News ORBP Public Comments Being Accepted Online The public comment period for the updated Ohio River Bridges Project continues until Friday, July 15. The public comment hearings last week drew many who voiced their opinions about the project, but the ORBP is still accepting comments online. You can access the comment form here: http://www.kyinbridges.com/contact-us/meetings.aspx By Dalton Main Jul 8 Local News ORBP Public Comments Being Accepted Online Dalton Main
Jul 7 Local News “Buildin’ Bridges With Benny Breeze” Posted Online “What it boils down to is, you’re either for progress or against it. If you’re against it, get the **** out of this region.” That’s the closing line of “Buildin’ Bridges with Benny Breeze,” a movie meant to promote the Ohio River Bridges Project. The fictional Breeze character (played by local actor Chris Saunders) delivers […] By Gabe Bullard Jul 7 Local News “Buildin’ Bridges With Benny Breeze” Posted Online Gabe Bullard
Jun 21 Local News Say No To Bridge Tolls Releases Video Partially in response to a video made to promote the Ohio River Bridges Project, the group Say No to Bridge Tolls has released its own video. The six-and-a-half-minute piece celebrates the progress of anti-toll organizations so far and encourages area residents to continue opposing tolls. Say No to Bridge Tolls is among several groups that […] By Gabe Bullard Jun 21 Local News Say No To Bridge Tolls Releases Video Gabe Bullard
Jun 16 Local News Pro-Bridges Movie Debuts, Stirs Controversy Attendees of this morning’s premiere of the short movie Building Bridges with Benny Breeze were asked to sign an oath saying they would listen to all sides of the debate over the Ohio River Bridges Project and be respectful of anyone with differing opinions. At the end of the movie, the star—Chris Saunders playing Benny […] By Gabe Bullard Jun 16 Local News Pro-Bridges Movie Debuts, Stirs Controversy Gabe Bullard