KYTC Seeking Input on Public Participation Plan

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would like your input on the "Public Participation Plan for Statewide Transportation Planning: Interested Parties, Public Involvement and Consultation" document, which is currently being updated.

Public review will run through November 15. Copies of the document at available here in the KIPDA office, 11520 Commonwealth Drive, Louisville, KY 40299 as well as the KYTC District office, 8310 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40242 and the KYTC Central Office, 200 Mero St., in Frankfort. The document is also available online at http://transportation.ky.gov/yourturn/Pages/yourturn.aspx.

A CD-ROM or a printed copy is also available by request. For special accommodations or additional information, call (502) 564-7183.

To provide comments about the plan, send them to:

Steve Waddle, P.E. State Highway Engineer
Department of Highways
Transportation Cabinet Office Building, 6th Floor
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622

or email kytc.ppp@ky.gov

TARC offer rides to St. James Fair October 4-6

Are you planning to go down to the St. James Court Art Show? If so, you might consider using TARC to get to your destination.

 

TARC is partnering with PARC once again to offer convenient public transportation from downtown Louisville to the St. James Court Art Show, which will be held Oct. 4-6.

TARC’s buses will leave PARC’s Brown Hotel garage on Third at Broadway every 15 minutes on October 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will run every 10 minutes on October 5-6. Route will run on October 5 from 9:30 a.m.-6:10 p.m. and October 6 from 9:30 a.m.-5:10 p.m. The buses will deliver passengers to Second and Hill for a short walk to the St. James Court Art Show.

 

The cost for the ride is $6 per carload, which covers parking at the Brown Hotel garage and the bus service. Before boarding the bus, patrons will be issued a pass that will guarantee them return service to the garage - and are urged to hold onto those passes while at the fair.

Art show patrons can also ride the fare-free trolleys downtown. The Fourth Street Trolley will connect visitors with the First Friday Trolley Hop on Main and Market Streets, Fourth Street Live and other downtown entertainment venues on Friday, Oct. 4.

Passengers may also board buses to and from the art fair at any stop along the route, including an additional stop at 2nd and Breckinridge and another at 2nd and Hill. The fare for passengers boarding along the route is $1.75.

Routes #2, #4 and #27 serve stops near the festival area.

For further information about the St. James bus service, call TARC Customer Service at 585-1234, TTY 213-3240, or visit TARC’s website at www.ridetarc.org.

TARC seeking input on Title VI, open houses today and tomorrow

TARC is seeking public comments on a draft Title VI program update for fair and equitable transportation services and amenities. The comment deadline is September 17.

In addition, TARC is hosting two open houses on the update. The open houses are noon-5 p.m. today at TARC, 1000 W. Broadway and 4-7 p.m. tomorrow at the NIA Center, 2900 W. Broadway. Residents can access TARC service to the meeting at TARC via Route #23 and to the NIA Center via #19, #21, #23 and #25.

The Title VI draft program is available on the TARC website at www.ridetarc.org.

Tolling Body will Meet Tomorrow

The Kentucky-Indiana Tolling Body, created pursuant to a Bi-State Development Agreement and Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, will hold a public meeting on tomorrow, September 5, at 11 a.m. EDT at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel, 700 W. Riverside Drive in Jeffersonville.

The agenda for the meeting includes: consideration of Resolution JB-2013-1 (Resolution of Tolling Body  approving and adopting Bylaws and designating a regular meeting schedule), consideration of Resolution JB-2013-2 (Resolution of tolling body setting initial toll rates in accordance with the Toll Rate Covenants established in the Development Agreement) and other matters to be considered by the body.

 

 

KIPDA Staff Member Honored By Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement (JA) recently recognized Josh Suiter, Community Outreach Specialist at KIPDA, with the John L. Helm Starfish Flinger Award. The award is presented to JA volunteers for their service to the youth in our community and to JA.

Suiter, who has volunteered in area elementary and high schools, has been a volunteer since 2010. He has volunteered at Zachary Taylor, Middletown, Bowen and Grant Line elementary schools and Jeffersontown and Moore high schools. In the elementary schools, he has taught the "Our City" curriculum, which covers the planning process in our community with regarding to zoning laws.

The award includes a copy of the parable "The Starfish Flinger" and a starfish medallion.

East End Crossing of Bridges Project and Others Honored at Annual Conference

During the recent American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) Annual P3 Conference in Washington, D.C., the East End Crossing of The Ohio River Bridges Project, along with two individuals instrumental in creating the project’s public-private partnership (P3) finance and construction model were honored.

P3 refers to a contractual agreement between a public agency and a private sector entity that allows the private sector entity to have greater participation in the delivery of a transportation project.  Under a P3, the private partner takes on some or all of the project's risks and responsibilities.

During a ceremony at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History the ARTBA named the East End Crossing P3 “Project of the Year.”  In addition, Kendra York, Indiana Public Finance Director, and Matt Walsh, CEO and co-chair of Chicago-based Walsh Group, were respectively named public sector and private sector “Entrepreneur of the Year.” 

York led IFA’s efficient eight-month P3 procurement process for the East End Crossing, which resulted in the selection of WVB East End Partners – a consortium of regional, national and international firms that will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the crossing. 

Walsh led his family-owned business through that procurement process, playing a key role in establishing the selected consortium of Walsh Investors LLC, Vinci Concessions, and Bilfinger Project Investments.

As Project of the Year, the East End Crossing was recognized for exemplifying the value of P3s in the United States.  The massive and nationally recognized project was initiated to help improve safety, alleviate traffic congestion, connect highways and create new economic development opportunities.  The East End Crossing will connect southern Indiana and Louisville, and will include a 2,510-foot cable-stayed bridge across the Ohio River, a 1,700-foot twin-bore tunnel, 19 additional bridges and other infrastructure improvements.  The East End Crossing is “a prime example of P3s in practice,” according to an ARTBA news release. 

York, in guiding the East End Crossing procurement efforts, was saluted for her dedication to the P3 model as a way to provide high-quality transportation infrastructure options at a lower investment cost to taxpayers.  Under her leadership, the construction cost will be about $763 million – about $224 million or 23 percent less than the project estimate of $978 million.

The ARTBA, founded in 1902, is based in Washington, D.C., and represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry.

KYTC Installing Rumble Strips on Area Highways

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways has announced that rumble strips will be installed this week on five highways in District 5, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties.

The strips help reduce roadway departure crashes and are used across the county. A $500,000 contract was awarded this summer to install the strips along the centerlines or shoulders of highways in 14 central Kentucky counties.

The strips in the District 5 area include:

• Bullitt County: KY 44 from the Jefferson/Bullitt county line to Old Pitts Point Road.
• Franklin County: From KY 1900 to the Franklin/Owen County line.
• Jefferson County: From KY 148 to New Hopewell Road.
• Jefferson County: I-265 from mile points 30.0 to 35.0
• Spencer County: KY 55 to the Jefferson/Spencer County Line.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Begins Friday, Press Conference Today

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and law enforcement across the state are combining forces to combat drunk driving.

 

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign will begin August 16 and run through September 2. The nationwide impaired driving crackdown includes high-visibility enforcement supported by a federally-funded advertising campaign to curb impaired driving in August and through the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Last year, Kentucky recorded over 5,750 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 146 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. During the Labor Day holiday weekend, nine people were killed and 388 were injured on our roadways.  Two of those deaths involved alcohol. 

To help with this effort, Brown-Forman, CityScoot and Yellow Cab are teaming up to offer more than 2,000 safe ride vouchers at select locations in the Louisville Metro during the campaign period. 

As a part of the campaign kick off,  there will be a press conference today at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville at 11 a.m.  The press conference will also include representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Transit Authority of River City (TARC).

 

Jeffboat Wins National Grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced $9.46 million to help improve 12 shipyards in 10 states. The grants, provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, work to foster efficiency and modernization to shipyards and help them compete more effectively in the global workplace. One of those grants was awarded to Jeffboat in Jeffersonville.

 

MARAD received 113 grant applications requesting $96 million in assistance, far exceeding the $9.46 million made available for the grants. The grants fund a variety of projects including infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades to increase operational competitiveness and quality vessel construction.

 Shipyards across the nation continue to create new jobs and strengthen local economies. Since 2009, the Obama administration has provided more than $150 million to help U.S. shipyards and their workers reap the benefits of increased production capabilities delivered by emerging technologies and highly skilled workers.

 Jeffboat received an $845,817 grant. They have four production lines that are used to construct barges ranging in size from river hopper barges to 52,000 barrel tank barges. This grant will help them adjust the width and orientation of their vessel lines.

For a complete list of shipyards receiving grants go to

 http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Grant_Awards.doc

Lane Closures Tonight and Tomorrow Night on I-64

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 Office announced Interstate 64 in Jefferson County will be closed for lighting repairs inside the Cochran Hill Tunnels. 

 

Crews will be making repairs to the lights at the very top of the twin tunnels on I-64.  These lights cannot be safely accessed under a single lane closure. The westbound lanes of I-64 will be closed from 10:00 p.m. today (July 30) until 5:00 a.m. on tomorrow (July 31).  Motorists will be detoured via Cannons Lane (Exit 10), Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive where they can access westbound I-64.

 The eastbound lanes of I-64 will be closed from 10:00 p.m. tomorrow (July 31) until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 1.  Motorists will be detoured via Grinstead Drive (Exit 8), Lexington Road and Cannons Lane where they can access eastbound I-64.

 

The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

Bridges Project Closures, Blasting Schedule Announced

Officials with the Ohio River Bridges Project have announced the following closures for this week:
 
Indiana Side:

• Right lane of I-65 North: Closed starting at the south end of the Kennedy Bridge and ending at Court Avenue overnight (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) today, July 29.  The work on Monday night will result in a new configuration for I-65 North Exit 0 (Jeffersonville).  The exit ramp will be reduced from two lanes to one lane with the change in effect for the duration of the project.
• Left lane of US 31-South: Closed from under the Brown Station Way overpass and ending just north of Stansifer Avenue beginning tonight (July 29) and will continue for the next few weeks as crews construct temporary pavement in the area.

 Kentucky Side:

• Right lane of I-64 West from Witherspoon Street to I-65 South: Closed tonight through Thursday (July 29-August 1). The lane will close around 9 p.m. and reopen by 5 a.m. each day. Work is being done on temporary lighting.
• Right lane of I-64 East: Close at the Kentucky state line overnight on tomorrow, July 30 for tree trimming.  It will reopen by 5 a.m.
• Right lane of I-64 East from 9^th Street to I-65: Closed overnight Tuesday and Wednesday (July 30 and July 31) for work on temporary lighting.  It will reopen by 5 a.m. each day.
• Right lane of I-65 South from the Kennedy Bridge to the I-64 West ramp gore: Closed overnight Tuesday-Thursday (July 30-August 1) for work on temporary lighting.  It will reopen by 5 a.m. each day.
• Right lane of I-65 South from the Kennedy Bridge to Main Street: Closed overnight on Friday, August 2 to prepare for upcoming demolition work.  It will reopen by 5 a.m.

Kennedy Bridge: The right lane of I-65 North on the Kennedy Bridge is scheduled to be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on today, July 29.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is documenting repairs made last month and examining a repair made earlier this year.

Blasting Schedule at the Intersection of U.S. 42 and KY 841: 

• Monday, July 29 at about 2:00 and 2:03 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 30 at about 2:00 p.m. and 2:03  p.m.
• Wednesday, July 31 at about  2:00 p.m. and 2:03 p.m.
• Thursday, August 1 at about 2:00 p.m. and 2:03 p.m.
• Friday, August 2 at about 2:00 p.m. and 2:03 p.m.

On each day, prior to the blasts, traffic must be stopped for five to twenty minutes for the safety of the workers and the travelling public. Traffic stops during the blasts will occur on KY 841 between Wolf Pen Branch Road and U.S. 42, and on U.S. 42 between Wolf Pen Branch Road and Bridgepointe Boulevard.  If unfavorable weather conditions at the time of a scheduled blast are expected, the blast time may be moved to earlier that day – likely to about noon.  If any such changes occur, they will be posted on www.kyinbridges.com, on Twitter @eastendcrossing and at www.facebook.com/ohiorivereastendcrossing.

 

For many information on any of the closures or delays, go to www.kyinbridges.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple Closures In the Region Have Been Announced For Next 2 Weeks

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and officials with the Ohio River Bridges project have announced several closures that could cause some delay in your traveling in the area. Below are the closures:

• Right lane of I-65 South at the bridge over Liberty Street (mile point 135.8): 7 p.m.-midnight today (July 24) to perform bridge deck patching.
• Right lane of I-71 South at the bridge over US 42 (mile point 6.2): 6:30 p.m.-midnight tomorrow (July 25).
• Exit ramp of I-264 West to eastbound US 60 (Exit 20A): 9 p.m. today (July 24) through 6 a.m. Friday (July 26). Look for detour signs. Concrete repairs will be performed.
• Exit ramp from I-64 East to I-265/Gene Snyder North: 7 p.m.-midnight today (July 24) for guardrail repairs. Detour will be available via I-64 East to I-265 South to Taylorsville Road. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and access I-265 North.

The schedule for the closures listed above can change. For the latest details, go to www.511ky.gov or www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

The following closures are related to work on the bridges project and are expected this week and next week in connection with construction on the Downtown Crossing:

• Ramp from I-64 East to I-65 North: closed at night this week and next week.  The closure will begin around 9 p.m. each night and the ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. each day. The ramp is closed as prep work is done for the partial demolition of the ramp from I-64 East to I-65 South.
• One lane of I-64 East from east of the Clark Memorial Bridge to I-65: closed at night this week and next week.  The lane will reopen by 5 a.m. each day.  The closure is also in preparation for upcoming demolition work.
• Right lane of I-65 South from Witherspoon Street to Jefferson Street: Closed overnight next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (July 29-July 31). The lane will reopen by 5 a.m. each day.
• Right lane of I-65 South from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard is scheduled to close overnight next Thursday and Friday (August 1-August 2) for work on temporary lighting.  The lane will reopen by 5 a.m. each day.
• Right lane of I-64 West from Witherspoon Street to I-65 South: closed each night next week (Monday, July 29-Friday, August 2) for work on temporary lighting.  The lane will close around 9 p.m. each night and reopen by 5 a.m. each day.
• Inspection work is continuing on the Kennedy Bridge this week with the right lane of I-65 North closed until the work is complete. 

For the latest information on the bridges projects and closures, go to www.kyinbridges.com

KYTC Hosts Public Meeting on Manslick Road Planning Study

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding a public meeting from  6-8 p.m. tomorrow at Mosaic United Methodist Church, 8008 St. Andrews Church Road in Louisville.

The meeting will be an open house format with a PowerPoint presentation to inform you on the progress of the Manslick Road Planning Study and to share some alternatives. It will also identify alternatives to future improvements on Manslick Road between Dixie Highway and I-264.

Bridges Project Seeks Public Input on Toll Impacts, Open Houses Next Week

Do you have concerns or issues you want to discuss concerning the lessening of the impacts of bridge tolls on low-income and minority populations? If so, the Ohio River Bridges Project wants to hear from you.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Indiana Department of Transportation are working to complete an extensive analysis of potential economic impacts of using tolls, which will help pay for the new bridges and highways under construction as part of the Revised Record of Decision from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The Ohio River Bridges Project has published a draft assessment of the economic impacts of tolls on low-income and minority populations, including an evaluation of potential measures to mitigate disproportionate effects.

Officials would like your input on the report and potential mitigation measures through a range of outreach methods, including open house meetings set for July 22 and 23.

The open house meetings will be held:

• Monday, July 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Holiday Inn Clarksville, 505 Marriott Dr., Clarksville, Ind.
• Tuesday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, Ky.

At the meetings, you will have a chance to learn more about the project, plans for tolling and measures being considered to lessen the impacts of tolling on low-income and minority populations. Display areas will feature information boards, and project representatives will be on hand to talk one-on-one with citizens. There will also be informational videos and handouts. You are also encouraged to comment in a variety of ways at the meeting or any time before July 26:

• Online – Go to www.kyinbridges.com and click on the Downtown Links “News, Events and Alerts” or East End Links “Newsroom”
• Writing – Letters can be mailed to Bridges Project Research, 620 W. Main St., 4th Floor, Louisville, KY 40202
• Recording – Court reporters will be available at stations at the public meetings for anyone who wants to dictate comments.
• Comment forms – Comments can be personally written on forms that will be made available at the meetings.

You are also encouraged to read the draft report prepared by the states, DRAFT Assessment of Economic Effects of Tolling and Potential Strategies for Mitigating Effects of Tolling on Low-Income and Minority Populations (DRAFT Report). You can read the DRAFT Report online at www.kyinbridges.com or view a copy at the meeting or public library branches in Louisville, Jeffersonville and Clarksville. Copies have also been distributed to numerous community centers in the area.

Informational flyers, posters and copies of the DRAFT Report have been distributed in 47 locations including public libraries, community centers, churches and offices located in or near low-income and minority neighborhoods.

In addition to 19 public libraries, here are other community locations where you can find information about tolling and view the DRAFT Report:
Community Development Bank
2901 West Broadway, Louisville

St. Stephen’s Baptist Church
1018 S. 15^th Street, Louisville
948 Dixie Hwy, Louisville
2701 Veterans Pkwy, Jeffersonville

Portland Community Center
640 North 27^th Street, Louisville

California Community Center
1600 West St. Catherine Street, Louisville

Beechmont Community Center
205 West Wellington Avenue, Louisville

Parkhill Community Center
1703 South 13^th Street, Louisville

Sun Valley Community Center
6505 Bethany Lane, Valley Station

South Louisville Community Center
2911 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville

Elim Baptist Church
3114 Greenwood Avenue, Valley Station

Urban League
1535 West Broadway, Louisville

Americana Community Center
4801 Southside Drive, Louisville

Portland Avenue Presbyterian Church
3201 Portland Avenue, Louisville

NAACP
201 National Avenue, Jeffersonville

Northwest Neighborhood Place
4018 West Market Street, Louisville

Shawnee Golf Course
460 Northwester Pkwy, Louisville

Griffin Street Community Center
1140 Griffin Street, New Albany 

Tolls limited to new and improved bridges
The states are paying for the Bridges Project with a combination of traditional transportation funding (gas tax revenues) and tolls. The Bridges Project plans to use only no-stop, all-electronic tolling to keep traffic flowing without toll plazas and coin buckets. Overhead cameras and electronic receivers will record all the vehicles that cross.

Tolls are planned for only the new and improved bridges – the East End Crossing and the Downtown Crossing, which includes a new I-65 northbound bridge and a revamped Kennedy Bridge for I-65 southbound traffic. The Sherman Minton Bridge (I-64) and Clark Memorial Bridge (U.S. 31) will not be tolled as part of the Bridges Project, providing two free river crossing options for drivers who wish to avoid tolls. The toll-free bridges are in close proximity to the largest concentrations of low-income and minority populations in both Jefferson and Clark/Floyd counties.

Tolls on the new and improved bridges will not be collected until 2016, and toll rates have not yet been determined. However, Kentucky and Indiana have set the following target rates for motorists using transponders:

• $1 per crossing for “frequent commuters” in passenger vehicles or on motorcycles
• $2 per crossing for cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles crossing the bridges infrequently
• $5 per crossing for panel or box trucks
• $10 per crossing for semi-trucks or tractor trailer rigs

DRAFT Report evaluates additional measures to lessen tolling impacts
The states have already committed to lessening the impacts of project construction and tolls by providing $20 million to the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) for enhanced cross-river bus service, including more than 20 new buses and vans and several park-and-ride lots. The DRAFT Report recommends consideration of exempting TARC vehicles from tolls.
Some other mitigation measures evaluated in the DRAFT Report focus on the availability and use of transponders – electronic, vehicle-mounted devices that record trips across a tolled bridge. Among the transponder measures recommended for consideration:

• Providing free transponders to maximize use and keep costs low
• Distributing transponders through retailers, such as grocery stores and markets;  motor vehicle licensing offices; and other government offices convenient for low-income and minority populations
• Establishing “toll operations offices” within low-income and minority communities to allow people to directly and conveniently manage their accounts. These locations could include a mobile site, like a “bookmobile.”
• Developing a Web site and/or smart phone mobile app, so users can order transponders online and have them shipped directly to their homes or businesses.

Several other mitigation methods recommended for further consideration are focused on the financial accounts that motorists with transponders will create to pay tolls. They include:

• Establishing a relatively low minimum balance
• Allowing a wide range of options for replenishment of funds in a user’s account, including cash, credit/debit cards, money orders, bank transfers, online payments and a smart phone mobile app
  • Allowing multiple users/transponders to be funded under a single account
  • Establishing brick-and-mortar locations, such as government buildings, DMV locations and grocery stores, as examples, with particular emphasis on low-income areas and minority neighborhoods, for individuals to replenish or make deposits to tolling accounts. Likewise, a mobile source, like a “bookmobile,” could be used to improve convenience.
  • Developing a Web site that would allow for the management of accounts online.

Public input – whether in the form of comments on potential mitigation measures already identified or suggestions of other measures – is vital to Bridges Project decision making and the work of the bi-state Tolling Body.

I-65 South to St. Catherine Ramp Closure Coming Monday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced that the exit ramp from I-65 South to St. Catherine Street (Exit 135) will close at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will remain closed for 60 days.

The closure will be to allow for the removal and replacement of four pier caps on the I-65 bridge over Brook Street and Kentucky Street. There will be detour signs to direct traffic to I-65 South to Arthur Street. Motorists will then be directed to East Brandeis Avenue and South Brook Street where they can access St. Catherine Street.

The work may be adjusted if inclement weather or unforeseen delays occur. To verify, call 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov for the latest information. You can also go to the cabinet's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict 5.

Counters Have Been Installed on the Big 4 Bridge

The Waterfront Development Corporation and Bike Louisville have partnered together to install permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters on the Big 4 Bridge. The counters will be enable them to estimate the number and type of users as well as the peak hours of usage.

The information obtained from these counts will be used to improve to help with future planning of non-vehicular recreational and commuter use on a variety of multi-use trails throughout Louisville Metro.

The Indiana ramp of the Big Four Bridge is expected to be completed in early 2014.

                       

Westbound I-264 to Westbound I-64 Ramp to close Wednesday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's District 5 Office announced a ramp closure at the interchange of Interstates 64 and 264 this week.  Contract crews will be replacing concrete pavement on this ramp.

The exit ramp from westbound I-264 (Watterson Expressway) to westbound I-64 (Exit 19B) is scheduled for closure from 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, July 17 until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19.  Motorists should follow the signed detour via three of the loop ramps in the I-264/I-64 interchange.

This work is part of the I-264 construction project for concrete pavement repairs between Browns Lane and Westport Road (mile points 18.4 to 20.7).  Hall Contracting, Inc. was awarded the contract for this project in the amount of $8.1 million.  The contract completion date is July 31, 2013. 

The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

Several Road, Ramp Closures Announced

The interstate ramp from I-64 East to I-65 South will close the night of July 15.  The closing is the only one for 2013 that is connected to work on the new Downtown Bridge Crossing.

There will be some one-night closures early next week to prepare for the ramp closure:

Monday, July 8:

• The left lane of I-65 South from the Kennedy Bridge to Muhammad Ali will be closed from 9 p.m. on Monday, July 8 to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9. 
• The left lane of I-65 North from Muhammad Ali to the Kennedy Bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. on Monday, July 8 to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9.
• The left lane of I-65 North from Muhammad Ali to the Kennedy Bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. on Monday, July 8 to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9.

Tuesday, July 9:

• The left lane of the ramp from I-64 West to I-65 South will be closed from 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10.
• The right lane of I-65 South at the Jefferson Street exit ramp and the left lane of the exit ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10.

The ramp closure, which will continue into 2016, is necessary to maintain the flow of traffic on I-64, I-65 and I-71 during the project.

 

 

 

Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass Campaign Underway

In June 2013, there were 74 fatal accidents and in 2012 there were65. In an effort to raise awareness of traffic safety laws and encourage safe driving habits, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is partnering with state and local law enforcement on the “Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass” campaign throughout July. 

 There have been 310 total highway fatalities as of July 1 – 62 fewer than the same time period last year. Half of those killed were not wearing seat belts, 20 percent involved an impaired driver and 70 percent of those killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet. 

 Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that seat belts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk of fatalities by 45 percent for front-seat vehicle occupants, and by 60 percent for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants. Also according to NHTSA, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect against and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.  

While officers will patrol all roadways in their designated city or county, a special emphasis will be placed on the areas where the majority of crashes have occurred.

Kentucky’s roadway fatalities increased for the first time in seven years, going from 721 deaths in 2011 to 746 in 2012.  More than half of those killed in motor vehicles were not restrained, 20 percent involved an impaired driver and 53 percent were motorcyclists not wearing a helmet.

 

Total Highway Fatalities

1999  729
2000  823
2001  843
2002  915
2003  931
2004  964
2005  985
2006  913
2007  864
2008  826
2009  791
2010  760
2011  721
2012  746

KIPDA Still Seeking Input

KIPDA is currently accepting public comments on a proposed update to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and proposed amendments to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).

The Horizon 2030 MTP list projects through the year 2030 and the TIP is being updated to years 2014 through 2017 and identifies planned federal funding expenditures for that time period. The projects have been reviewed by the Interagency Consultation Group for the regional emissions analysis. An air quality conformity report and documentation of the analysis are included in the packet below.

For a list of the proposed changes, go to http://www.kipda.org/Transportation/Drafts.aspx

We invite you to review the project information and submit comments to the following address by July 8, 2013.

TIP & Plan Amendment
KIPDA
11520 Commonwealth Drive
Louisville, KY 40299
Email comments to: kipda.trans@ky.gov

 For additional information, call Josh Suiter at 502‐266‐6084.

National Dump the Pump Day is Tomorrow

In 2012, Americans took 10.5 billion trips on public transportation and over 35 million times each weekday people board public transportation.

In order to encourage more ridership, the 8th annual National Dump the Pump will be held tomorrow. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and public transportation systems across the country are encouraging you to use public transportation tomorrow instead of driving to work.

A recent study says that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save about $9,700 a year on average by the other person using public transportation.

For more information on Dump the Pump, go to http://www.apta.com/members/memberprogramsandservices/advocacyandoutreachtools/dumpthepump/Pages/default.aspx.

Community Groundbreaking Tomorrow for Ohio River Downtown Crossing

Children and families are invited to join Governor Steve Beshear and Mayor Greg Fischer to celebrate the community groundbreaking for the new Ohio River Downtown Crossing.  In celebration of this occasion, a family-friendly event has been planned for 5 p.m. tomorrow at Waterfront Park in the Lincoln Memorial Lot.

 

The event includes an opportunity for children to be part of history by breaking ground on a large sand pile near the construction site.  There will be 500 commemorative sand shovels for kids.  They’ll use the shovels to dig for one of 500 keepsake tokens, marked with the special date and the seal of the Commonwealth.  Three specially marked tokens can be turned in for a unique memento of the day.

 Governor Beshear will signal the start of construction at 5:30 p.m. with the raising of the American, Kentucky and Indiana flags on a large crane that will help build the Downtown Crossing. Kids can alsao have their picture taken with the Crawler crane and its 220-foot boom.

In addition, The Belle of Louisville, which will celebrate her 100^th birthday next year, will be on the Ohio River and playing her calliope and sound her whistle.  97.5 WAMZ’s Coyote Calhoun will be broadcasting live from the event and those who attend will enjoy free ice cream from Blue Bell.

 

Several Road Projects Could Cause Delays

There are several road projects the next few days that could cause traffic delays. See below for details:

 

·         Kennedy Bridge Work:  Some lane closures beginning tonight.  Two of the three southbound lanes of I-65 will be affected.  The work is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. today with lanes reopening by 5 a.m. Monday.  The right two lanes of I-65 South will be closed from just north of the Kennedy Bridge in Jeffersonville, Ind., to the far south end of the bridge in downtown Louisville. Southbound traffic will be limited to one lane. The entrance ramp from Court Avenue in Jeffersonville to southbound I-65 will be closed during the weekend work. All lanes and exit ramps at the south end of the Kennedy Bridge will remain open. The Exit 0 ramp from southbound I-65 to West Market Street in Jeffersonville will be open.

·         Entrance ramp from westbound I-64 to westbound Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway): Reduced to one lane next week.  Contract crews will be performing bridge joint and concrete pavement repairs on this ramp.  The ramp will remain open during this work, but will be reduced from two lanes to one. Lane closure is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. on Monday through 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.

·       Beginning the evening of Monday, June 17, one of the two left-turn lanes from westbound U.S. 42 onto KY 841, as well as the dedicated right-turn lane from eastbound U.S. 42 onto KY 841, will be closed. As of that date, eastbound and westbound traffic on U.S. 42 will continue to have access to the KY 841. Then, by 5 A.M. Friday morning, June 21, both directions of KY 841 traffic will be shifted to the existing, improved southbound KY 841 ramp.

National Freight Advisory Committee Appointed

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced the members of the National Freight Advisory Committee, a diverse group of professionals that will provide advice and recommendations aimed at improving the national freight transportation system.

The Advisory Committee is comprised of 47 voting members from outside the Department of Transportation.  The Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, as well as representatives from other Federal agencies with freight-related obligations will serve as ex-officio members.  Members come with various perspectives on freight transportation and represent various modes of transportation, geographic regions, and policy areas.  Freight customers and providers, labor representatives, safety experts and government entities are all represented as well.

They will serve two-year terms and meet at least three times per year.  Their first meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2013 at the Department of Transportation and will include an overview of MAP-21 Freight provisions and preliminary identification of NFAC activities.  The meeting is open to the public.  Information regarding the meeting will be available on the Federal Register.

Selections for the committee were made after nominations to the DOT were sent in February and Secretary LaHood selected members with input from the MAP-21 Freight Implementation Team as well as the Freight Policy Council, an internal body of DOT leadership created to facilitate cross-modal implementation of freight provisions in the recently signed surface transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21.

The collaboration of stakeholders will serve to promote involvement and compliance with proposed plans and performance measures and will support the implementation of larger freight policy initiatives.

The National Freight Advisory Committee members are:

Stephen Alterman, Cargo Airline Association
Gregory A. Ballard, City of Indianapolis
Kevin L. Brubaker, Environmental Law & Policy Center
Jeffrey Burns, Parents Against Tired Truckers and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways
Terry Button, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Anne Canby, OneRail
Joan Claybrook, Public Citizen
Kristin Decas, Port of Hueneme
Mortimer L. Downey III, CAGTC
John H. Eaves, Fulton County
John E. Fenton, Patriot Rail Corp
Karen Flynn, Arkema Inc.
Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County
Genevieve Giuliano, University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy
John Thomas Gray II, Association of American Railroads
Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Lambert International Airport
Brad Hildebrand, Cargill, Inc.
Stacey D. Hodge, New York City Department of Transportation
James P. Hoffa, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
José Holguín-Veras, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jack Holmes, UPS Freight
Richard Inclima, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamster Rail Conference
Frances Lee Inman, Majestic Realty Co.
Randell Iwasaki, Contra Costa Transportation Authority
Michael Jewell, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, AFL-CIO
Paul R. Kelly, A & S Service Group
Paul C. LaMarre III, Port of Monroe
Michelle Livingstone, The Home Depot
Bonnie Lowenthal, State of California
Andrew S. Lynn, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
C. Randal Mullett, Con-way Inc.
Rosa Navejar, The Rios Group
Michael Nutter, City of Philadelphia
Gary A. Palmer, True Value Company
Craig Philip, Ingram Barge Company
John Previsich, SMART – Transportation Division
William Roberson, Nucor Steel – Berkeley
Christopher T. Rodgers, Douglas County, National Association of Counties
Mark Andrew Savage, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance/Colorado State Patrol
Karen Schmidt, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board
Ann Schneider, Illinois DOT
Ricky D. Smith, Department of Port Control, Cleveland Airport
Mike Tooley, Montana DOT
Peter G. Vigue, Cianbro Companies
Michael C. Walton, University of Texas Austin
A.C. Warton, City of Memphis
Leonard Waterworth, Port of Houston Authority

KIPDA Wants To Hear From You!

KIPDA is currently accepting public comments on a proposed update to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and proposed amendments to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The Horizon 2030 MTP list projects through the year 2030 and the TIP is being updated to years 2014 through 2017 and identifies planned federal funding expenditures for that time period. The projects have been reviewed by the Interagency Consultation Group for the regional emissions analysis. An air quality conformity report and documentation of the analysis are included in the packet below.

For a list of the proposed changes, go to http://www.kipda.org/Transportation/Drafts.aspx

We invite you to review the project information and submit comments to the following address by July 8, 2013.

TIP & Plan Amendment
KIPDA
11520 Commonwealth Drive
Louisville, KY 40299
Email comments to: kipda.trans@ky.gov

In addition, you can review the documents and ask questions in person during public open houses held at the following times and locations:
June 10, 2013, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the New Albany‐Floyd County Public Library, 180 W. Spring St., in New Albany, Indiana.

June 11, 2013, 4:30 pm ‐ 6:30 p.m. at the Highlands/Shelby Park Public Library, 1250 Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky.

For additional information, call Josh Suiter at 502‐266‐6084.

KYTC Wants to Hear From You!

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) wants to hear from you! They are looking for public input on proposed goals for increasing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) involvement in highway projects.

The KYTC Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development, which oversees the cabinet’s DBE program, is proposing an annual, overall DBE participation goal of 7 percent for federal fiscal year 2014. The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, the new goal would be in effect for three years.

The 2014 goals and methodology is available online at http://transportation.ky.gov/Civil-Rights-and-Small-Business-Development until June 25, 2013. Written comments will be accepted for 15 days afterward – until July 10, 2013 – and can be submitted online through the website or through the mail to:

Melvin Bynes
Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street, 6th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40622

Information is also available by calling 1-800-928-3079 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT.

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Test Being Run Tomorrow for Downtown Bridge Crossing, Expect Loud Noises

If you are hear a loud boom near the downtown bridges tomorrow, don't be concerned. Walsh Construction will be doing some pre-construction activities for the Downtown Crossing of the Ohio River Bridges Project and nearby residents may hear some of that progress loud and clear Thursday.

Walsh Construction will be assessing the sturdiness of a test shaft drilled in late April and in order to do so a series of tests, known as lateral Statnamic load tests, will be performed. The test simulate the impact of a vessel striking the pier.

 

The day-long testing includes four or five successive tests, increasing loads and creating louder sounds.  The last and loudest of the tests will sound similar to a small cannon or large firework.  The sounds will be noticeable to those within 500 feet of the test site, but will not require any hearing protection for residents.

The 50-foot deep test shaft is located on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, east of the Kennedy Bridge, near Riverside Drive in Jeffersonville.  The tests are in preparation for building the piers for the new Downtown Crossing.  The new bridge will be built with nine piers, four on land and five in the water.

For more information or to follow the project's progress, go to www.kyinbridges.com.

Louisville Named a Walk Friendly Community

Louisville has a new designation.

 

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has announced Louisville one of it's three new Walk Friendly Communities.

 

PBIC designates this honor to a city or town that has been recognized for its success in working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort. PBIC recognized these three communities for their commitment to improving walkability and pedestrian safety:

Silver Level: Bend, Ore.

Bronze Level: Louisville, Ky. and Indiana, Pa.

PBIC says there now 36 Walk Friendly Communities across the nation and to date, Seattle, Wash., is the only Platinum-level Walk Friendly Community.

The Walk Friendly Community designation, awarded from bronze to platinum, is given to communities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies. The program uses an assessment tool that evaluates community walkability and pedestrian safety through questions related to engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning.

 

The program is modeled after the League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Communities,” and distinguishes cities and towns that are leading the way in walkability.

 

The program will begin accepting applications for the sixth round of designations on May 1, 2015, with the deadline for submission on June 15, 2015. Interested communities are encouraged to visit www.walkfriendly.org to learn more about the program and review the community assessment tool.

Click It or Ticket Campaign Begins May 20

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Click It or Ticket campaign, which is aimed at increasing the use of seat belts, will begin May 20 and run through June 2.

Adult seat belt use in the United States currently averages 82% among front seat occupants. In 2011, seat belts saved 11,949 lives nationwide.

In fatal crashes in 2011, 77% of passenger vehicles occupants were thrown from vehicles. 1% of crash victims, who were buckled up were killed and 31% of those were unbelted. Lastly, 75% are less likely to be killed in a rollover crash if they are buckled up.

In an effort to save more lives on roadways, state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to crack down on motorists who are not buckling up. For more information on the campaign, go to http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/2013ciot/index.html.

Louisville's Bike to Work Day is Friday!

 
In honor of Bike to Work month, Louisville's Bike to Work Day is this Friday. Rain or shine!
 
Six locations around town will be set up at 7 a.m. so commuters can meet up and ride with others. 
 
The Meet & Ride locations feature parking if you are driving and will allow you to ride with other riders and ride captains from the Louisville Bicycle Club! Riders must have a helmet. After work, ride back to the meet and ride locations from 4th Street Live!, leaving at 5:15pm.

Seneca Park: Meet at the basketball court parking lot just west of the tennis courts at 7am
Iroquois Park: Meet at the Amphitheater parking lot at 7am.
Shawnee Park: Meet at the Southwestern and Broadway entrance and bus stops along Market Street at 7am.
Southern Indiana: Meet at the Park and TARC at Illinois Ave and 9^th street at 7am.

Tyler Park: Meet at the tennis courts along Baxter Avenue at 7am

Clark Park: Meet in the parking lot at Thurston and Dixie at 7am

Then at lunch time go down to 4th Street Live! at noon to meet up with other commuters, learn more about bicycle commuting, visit with vendors and just celebrate the bicycle! And one of the lucky bike to work day registrants will win a new, fully-loaded Bianchi Metropoli, courtesty of Parkside Bike Shop-- no purchase necessary! They will also be giving out Louisville's printed bike map and drawing for other prizes!
 
For more information or to register for Bike to Work day, go to www.louisvilleky.gov/BikeLouisville/biketoworkday.htm

Expect Major Delays at South Hurstbourne and Linn Station Road

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office says that there will be lane closures on southbound KY 1747 (Hurstbourne Parkway) at the intersection with Linn Station Road (mile point 12.2) beginning today at 9 a.m. 

 

These lane closures will allow for water main installation as part of the I-64/Hurstbourne Parkway interchange improvement project.  Southbound Hurstbourne Parkway will be reduced to one lane at Linn Station Road 24 hours per day through 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 19.

Expect heavy delays on southbound Hurstbourne Parkway between US 60 and Interstate 64 during this phase of construction.  When possible, alternate routes should be considered.  MAC Construction and Excavating of New Albany, Ind. was awarded a contract in the amount of $4.5 million.  Work is scheduled for completion in late summer of 2013.

 The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

Closures Announced by KYTC

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 Office has announced the following closures:

Temporary lane closure on KY 864 (Poplar Level Road) for the Louisville Zoo’s “Throo the Zoo” 5K Run/Walk: Saturday from 7:30 -10:00 a.m. The right lane of northbound KY 864 (Poplar Level Road) will be closed between Russell Avenue and Trevilian Way (mile points 11.7 and 12.0).

Ramp closures on Interstate 71 in Jefferson County at Interstate 265/KY 841 (Gene Snyder Freeway):  The closures are a part of a pavement repair project.  Contract crews are performing concrete pavement repairs on I-265/KY 841 between KY 146 (LaGrange Road) and Interstate 71 (mile points 30.3 and 34.7). The exit ramp from I-71 North to I-265/KY 841 (Exit 9B) North will be closed from 8:00 p.m. tomorrow until 6:00 a.m. on Monday.  A signed detour will be posted via northbound I-71 to KY 329 (Exit 14).  Motorists can access southbound I-71 and proceed to northbound I-265/KY 841. Motorists can also detour via southbound I-265/KY 841 to KY 22 (Exit 34).  They can turn left at the bottom of the ramp and follow signs to northbound I-265/KY 841. 

Temporary ramp and road closures for the March of Dimes “March for Babies.” The following routes in Louisville will be closed on Saturday from 8:30- 11:00 a.m.:

• US 31E(Main Street) between Story Avenue and Preston Street (mile points 16.7 and 17.4)
• US 42 (Story Avenue) between Main Street and Frankfort Avenue (mile points 0.0 and 0.67)
• Exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 64 to Story Avenue (Exit 7)

Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

 

 

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Kennedy Bridge Repairs Planned for Three Weekends

If you are traveling on the Kennedy Bridge the next few weekends, you might want to add some additional travel time.

 

Upcoming repairs on the Kennedy Bridge will require some weekend lane closures beginning Friday (May 10).  Two of the three southbound lanes of I-65 will be affected.  The work, which will be limited to three weekends, will begin at 9 p.m. on Fridays and continue through 5 a.m. on Mondays.

Walsh Contruction, design-build team building the Downtown Crossing, is doing the work as part of the Ohio River Bridges Project, which includes improvements to the Kennedy Bridge, says the right two lanes of I-65 South will be closed from just north of the Kennedy Bridge in Jeffersonville, Ind., to the far south end of the bridge in downtown Louisville. Southbound traffic will be limited to one lane. The entrance ramp from Court Avenue in Jeffersonville to southbound I-65 will be closed during the weekend work.

 All lanes and exit ramps at the south end of the Kennedy Bridge will remain open. The Exit 0 ramp from southbound I-65 to West Market Street in Jeffersonville will be open.

Walsh says the Crews are making structural steel repairs and adding new steel cover plates.  The new plates will be positioned and secured to the bridge using high strength bolts.  A hydraulic crane will be used to hoist the plates in place.

Work is scheduled for the weekends of May 10-13, May 17-20 and May 31-June 3.  No work is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. 

 

Closures Expected For Thunder Over Louisville and Bridge Painting

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways District 5 Office has announced the following closures in association with the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Thunder Over Louisville event (which is Saturday):

Clark Memorial Bridge: closed to pedestrians and motorists from 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18 until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.

The 3rd Street exit ramp: Closing at 10pm tomorrow. The 2nd Street entrance ramp will be closing at 8am on Saturday. All will be open at 6:00 a.m. Sunday.

In addition, the cabinet has announced beginning April 21 The Clark Memorial Bridge will be undergoing a makeover.

In addition to the bridge being painted, there will also be structural steel and sidewalk repairs. The contract was awarded in December to G Force Consulting for $494,494 and should be completed by July 31, 2013.

Residents can expect lane closures from 8 p.m.-5 a.m. The closures will not be allowed until May 6 (due to Derby Festival event).

The duration of these projects may be adjusted due to weather or other unforeseen delays. Call 511 or go to www.611.ky.gov for details.