Distracted Driving Games Illustrate the Dangers of Texting While Driving

Did you know that distracted drivers can cognitively miss up to 50% of their driving environment, including stop signs, pedestrians and red light? or that nearly 25% of all crashes involve drivers distracted by cell phones? Lastly, did you know that drivers who text increase their likelihood to crash by 8-23 times.

These statistics are just part of the reason that government agencies and even AT&T are getting involved in trying to combat distracted driving. Below are two games that our staff has found that parents of teens or even we as adults can use to encourage safer driving and putting our cell phones down while we travel. Here are the games:

• The Distraction Dodger is an online game designed to help teens and young adults understand the importance of concentrating on driving. It was designed by students at University of Minnesota. Players are put behind the wheel of a mobile pizza delivery vehicle in the pizza-loving city of Little Moots. Drivers deliver to the pizzas to the customer as they stand along side the street. But to be successful, players have to use a variety of tools —a smartphone, social media, GPS, and earned vehicle upgrades while keeping an eye on the roads hazardous situations. Players must also focus to avoid obstacles and obey traffic laws so they don't receive tickets, have a wreck or cause life-threatening crashes. Drivers also at the end of the game get feedback on their driving—and how it is affected by your level of distraction. To play go to: http://www.its.umn.edu/DistractionDodger/. Our staff tried it out and found this one to be a little challenging. But it definitely teaches how dangerous distracted driving can be.
• The New York Times also has a game on their site that measures a driver's reaction time as they are being distracted by a cell phone and their need to text. Our staff found this one very challenging and another solid example of the dangers of distracted driving. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html

To take a pledge to put your phone away while you drive, go to www.nsc.org/pledge.

U.S. Census releases or prepares to release lots of data

The U.S. Census Bureau is continuing to provide ways for you to get the information you are concerned with as they roll out more data from their collection.

One feature you can use is Easy Stats. It provides you quick and easy access to selected statistics collected by the Census through the American Community Survey. The American Community Survey works to get every community, every year detailed statistics about their people and their homes. Easy Stats provides current demographic and economic statistics about your home town. You simply search by geography down to the local level (including counties, incorporated places like cities and towns and Census designated places). You can also view detailed racial, age and gender breakdowns, and compare communities. To try it out, go to http://www.census.gov/easystats/.

In addition, the Census has released or is getting ready to release the following information this week:

Summary Population and Housing Characteristics Reports: The report series contains tables on age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, households, families, housing tenure and occupancy, population density and area measurements. The reports are being released on a state-by-state basis. To see your states report, go to at http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/index.html.

State Population Estimates: These internet tables will show July 1, 2012, population estimates. Changes in the previous year, as well as since the 2010 Census, are examined.

New Year's Day Population: The Census Bureau will ring in the year with its annual projection of the nation's population for Jan. 1, 2013. The release will include birth, death and net international migration rates. Information is expected to released today on the Bureau's website.

Estimates of State Voting-Age Population: Estimates of the number of people 18 and older in each state, Puerto Rico and the U.S. The downloadable file will also include total population and the percentage of people 18 and older. Scheduled for release in early January.

TARC Announces Holiday Schedule

As the holidays approach, TARC has announced its holiday schedule through Jan. 1, 2013. Visit TARC’s website, www.ridetarc.org  for scheduling information on individual routes.

Here is the schedule:

·         Christmas Eve, occurs on Monday, weekday schedule
·         Christmas Day, occurs on Tuesday, Sunday-Holiday schedule
·         New Years Eve- occurs on Monday, weekday schedule
·         New Years Day- occurs on Tuesday, Sunday-Holiday schedule

On Sunday/Holiday days, there will be no service on the following lines:

1 - Toonerville II
3 – Tarclift
22 - Twenty-Second Street
45 - Okolona Express
49 - Westport Express
50 - Dixie - Kosmodale Express
52 - Medical Center Circulator
53 - Breckenridge Express
54 - Manslick Express
55 – Westport Road
61 - Plainview Express
62 - Breckenridge Lane / Shepherdsville
64 – Fincastle Express 66- Mt.Washington/Shepherdsville-Express
67- Oldham County Express
68 - Prospect Express
77 - Main Street Circulator
78 - Bluegrass Express
82 - New Albany-Clarksville Crosstown

For more information and for route schedules, visit www.ridetarc.org .

TARC Accessibilty Council Seeks New Members

The TARC Accessibility Advisory Council, formerly known as the TARC Elderly and Disabled Advisory Council, is seeking new members. The deadline to apply is is Jan. 17, 2013.

The council’s mission is to review and advise TARC on all issues, plans and programs for public transportation services in regards to the accessibility needs of our community and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The council is made up of 18 individuals representing citizens in the Metro Louisville area who have accessibility needs due to life-function impairments.  The council members are selected to convey the needs of individuals with functional limitations and also include representatives from local and government agencies who represent them.

For more details on qualifications and how to apply, go to http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Accessibility/Notice%202012%20Council%20%20App%20_2_.pdf.

For an application, to go http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Accessibility/TAAC%20MEMBERSHIP%20APPLICATION%202012.pdf.

-Information provided by TARC

Closures begin today on Sherman Minton, I-65 North and I-264

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 Office and the Indiana Department of Transportation has announced some closures on area interestates and the Sherman Minton Bridge. See the information below for details:
 

Northbound Interstate 65 in Bullitt County: left and center lanes will be closed beginning at 7:00 tonight between mile points 107 and 108 (north of Lebanon Junction).  The center lane is scheduled to reopen around midnight.  The left lane will remain closed while work continues through 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, December 14.

Exit ramp from westbound Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to US 42 (Exit 22): Contract crews will be paving the asphalt surface for this ramp and striping the roadway beginning today This work is expected to be completed Saturday afternoon. During the paving operations, intermittent lane closures are also expected for the right lane of westbound US 42.

Westbound I-264 between I-71 and US 42: Today and tomorrow from 8:00 p.m. each evening until 6:00 a.m. the following morning.  These lane closures will allow for roadway striping and installation of raised pavement markers.

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.

In addition, INDOT has announced lane restrictions on the Sherman Minton Bridge over the Ohio River for lighting maintenance. The lane closure is not expected to impact rush hour traffic.
Beginning today, crews will close a lane each day to perform lighting maintenance on the bridge.  The restrictions will be daily, 5 days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Work will begin on the upper deck of the bridge that carries I-64 westbound traffic over the Ohio River.  This work will have a four week completion period, weather dependant.

INDOT encourages motorists to slow down and pay special attention while traveling in work zones throughout Indiana.  For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot and www.trafficwise.in.gov .

KYTC Holding Public Meeting Tomorrow About Southside Drive Improvements

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will hold a public meeting from 5-7 p.m. tomorrow at Epiphany United Methodist Church, 7032 Southside Drive in Louisville, to discuss improvements to Southside Drive (KY 907/KY 1020).

 

Jefferson County residents can view alternatives and provide input for widening the roadway to five lanes between New Cut Road and Strawberry Lane.  The meeting is an open house format.

 

There will be handouts containing information about the project, comment sheets and displays. Representatives from KYTC and their consultant will be available to answer questions.

TARC Announces Winter Storm Weather Plan

We aren't really wishing any winter weather upon us but to make sure you are prepared here is some information provide by TARC about bus service during snowy/icy weather.

Even during severe winter weather, TARC buses are equipped to safely and efficiently carry passengers to their destination but due to this weather some side streets are totally impassable and TARC buses may have to detour.

Detours are subject to change depending on weather and road conditions and snow removal efficiency. In general, residential streets and steep hills are the first to close and remain closed the longest. When detours are in effect, riders can monitor TARC's web site at www.ridetarc.org and click on the snowflake icon on the home page to see the updated list of detours, and frequent updates can also be found on TARC's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Detour information is also reported to all major print and broadcast outlets. For additional information on detours for your route, call TARC at 585-1234.

Below are the most likely detours in the event of a winter storm:

Route #15-Market Street

Louisville VA Medical Center trips will not be able to operate over Brownsboro Road west of Ewing Avenue on Lindsay Avenue, Hite Avenue, Cleveland Avenue or Country Club Road south of the Medical Center. Instead, all trips scheduled to serve the Medical Center will travel Brownsboro Road east of Ewing Avenue, to Zorn Avenue to Country Club Road to the VA Medical Center, returning to Brownsboro Road via the same route.

Route #27-Hill Street

All buses to Audubon Medical Center will turn around on Audubon Plaza Drive at the hospital, and will not travel over Illinois Avenue or on Poplar Level Road south of Audubon Plaza Drive

Route 29-Eastern Parkway

Trips going to Oxmoor Center will not operate on Cherokee Parkway, Spring Drive, Village Drive, Eleanor Drive, Woodbourne Avenue, Valetta Road, Park Boundary Road or Alta Vista Road. All trips to and from St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center will instead operate over Willow Avenue, Cherokee Road and Grinstead Drive to Lexington Road both eastbound and westbound.

Route 31-Middletown

All trips will use US 60/Shelbyville Road in Middletown, and no service will operate on Old Harrods Creek Road, Roberts Avenue, Madison Avenue, Old Shelbyville Road, Main Street or Evergreen Road. Trips to the Eastpoint Business Center will not operate on Heafer Road but will instead use English Station Road directly between Old Henry Road and Lagrange Road.

Route 68x-Prospect Express

Trips will not operate east of Prospect Point at US 42 and River Road. No service will be provided into the Hunting Creek subdivison.

Route 82-New Albany-Clarksville-Jeffersonville Crosstown

Trips will not operate to Knobs View Apartments, but will instead turn around at New Albany Plaza.

TARC on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc

TARC on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/ridetarc

 

 

River Ridge Commerce Park to Soon Be Serviced by TARC

Beginning Jan. 21, employees of Amazon.com and other companies at the River Ridge Commerce Center will have weekday TARC service to the site on IN 62 in Jeffersonville.

TARC is extending an existing cross-river route to provide three morning and four afternoon trips to River Ridge. Route #71, will now travel from Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, through downtown New Albany, downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville en route to River Ridge.

All River Ridge trips will service the TARC stop in the parking lot at Meijer at Allison Lane and Indiana 62 in Jeffersonville with connections to Route #82, which operates only in Southern Indiana.

In addition, TARC is addressing workforce needs by adding two Saturday trips – one morning and one afternoon - on Route #82 to the Jeffersonville Towne Center off Veterans Parkway where Accent Marketing is located. Those trips will begin Sat., Jan. 26. On weekdays beginning Jan. 21, an early afternoon and evening trip serving Accent Marketing will also be added.

Plus TARC will make slight adjustments to schedules in January on these other routes: Rt. #18-Preston-18th Street, Rt. #31-Shelbyville Road; and Rt. #78x-Bluegrass express. In addition, on Rt. #18 TARC will add two morning trips to the Valley Village neighborhood in southwest Louisville off Dixie Highway. Those schedule adjustments also take effect on Mon. Jan. 21.

For a map on the Amazon/River Ridge extension, to go http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/News/December_2012/RiverRidge%20extension_map.pdf.

Summary of TARC service changes

Route #18-Preston-18th Street: TARC will add two morning trips to the Valley Village neighborhood in southwest Louisville off Dixie Highway. On weekdays only, bus arrival times will be adjusted slightly on trips operating to and from Okolona and Outer Loop, and on early morning trips to Fern Valley Road. These changes occur primarily on westbound trips.  For details, go to http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Rt_18pocket%20large(2).pdf.

Route #31-Shelbyville Road: In response to passenger requests, four morning weekday trips will arrive five minutes earlier at 4th Street and Broadway in downtown Louisville. Those trips now arrive at 7:20, 7:50, 8:20 and 8:50. All trips will continue to 5th and Market streets.  For details, http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Rt_31_61pocket(1).pdf.

Route #71-Jeffersonville-Louisville-New Albany: This route will be extended to provide three morning and four afternoon weekday trips serving River Ridge Commerce Center including the Amazon.com Inc. site, on IN 62 in Jeffersonville. All River Ridge/Amazon trips will service a TARC stop in the parking lot at Meijer at Allison Lane and IN 62 with transfer connections to Rt. #82. Stops will be added to Patrol Road, Centennial Boulevard and Middle Road on the Rt. #71 extension to River Ridge. Some bus arrival and departure times will change by 5-10 minutes on weekdays. The last westbound trip from the Meijer will depart seven minutes later to accommodate Meijer employees whose shifts end at 10 p.m. For details,  http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Rt_71pocket(1).pdf.

Route #78x-Bluegrass Express: The eastbound trip from 3rd and Chestnut at 6:18 a.m. will leave five minutes earlier. The 7:23 a.m. and 7:53 a.m. trips departing Southeast Christian Church will leave six minutes earlier to allow for heavy traffic on I-64. For details, http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Rt_78pocket.pdf.

Route #82-New Albany-Clarksville-Jeffersonville: Beginning Jan. 26 TARC will add two Saturday trips – one morning and one afternoon – to the Accent Marketing complex in the Jeffersonville Towne Center off Veterans Parkway. A weekday early afternoon and evening trip will also be added serving Accent Marketing on Jan. 21. Weekday trip times will change by 5-15 minutes to provide for transfer connections with Rt. #71 trips to River Ridge. For details, http://www.ridetarc.org/uploadedFiles/Rt_82pocket.pdf.

-Photo and information provided by TARC

KYTC Announced Closures in Jefferson and Bullitt counties

The Kentuck Transportation Cabinet's District 5 Office has announced the following closures:

• Exit ramp from northbound Interstate 265 (Gene Snyder Freeway) to westbound Interstate 64 (Exit 25B): Closed tonight from 7:00 p.m. until midnight for guardrail repairs. To access westbound I-64, motorists should continue north on I-265 and exit onto US 60, turn left at the bottom of the ramp, access southbound I-265 and follow to I-64.
• Exit ramp from westbound Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to US 42 (Exit 22): Closed this evening from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow. The closure is a part of the I-71/I-264 interchange construction.  To access US 42, motorists should continue west on I-264 to Westport Road.  At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left to access eastbound I-264 then proceed to US 42. In addition, westbound I-264 will be reduced to one lane during the ramp closure.
• KY 480C (Old Cedar Grove Road) in Bullitt County between KY 480 and KY 2237 (Salt River Road): Closed December 6-31 to allow for sewer line installation. Local access will be allowed, but through traffic should follow the signed detour.

 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.

 

Ceremonies are Friday for Star Hill Road and St. John's Road in Borden

The Indiana Department of Transportation, Clark County Government and local elected officials will gather on Friday at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of one roadway and the groundbreaking of another.

A groundbreaking celebration will be held for Star Hill Road and a ribbon cutting will be held for St. John's Road. The ceremony will be held at Huber's Orchard, Winery and Vineyard, 19816 Huber Road.

The projects will help improve mobility for motorists. MAC Construction of New Albany was awarded the Star Hill project and Gohmann Asphalt and Construction of Clarksville was awarded the St. John's project.

For more information, go to www.in.gov/indot.

Several Road, Ramp, Lane Closures Announced

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

• Exit ramp from westbound I-264 to US 42 (Exit 22) will be closed from 8:00 p.m. today until 8 p.m. tomorrow. The signed detour for this ramp closure is westbound I-264 to Westport Road, access eastbound I-264 and proceed to US 42.
• Exit ramp from eastbound I-264 to northbound I-71 (Exit 23A) will be closed from 10:00 p.m. today until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. The signed detour for this ramp closure is southbound I-71 to Zorn Avenue then accessing northbound I-71.
• The entrance ramp from US 42 to westbound I-264 will be closed from 8:00 p.m. today until 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.
• Lane closures are possible on I-71 in both directions between I-264 and the Lime Kiln Lane overpass (mile points 5.0 and 5.8) and on I-264 in both directions between US 42 and I-71 (mile points 22.1 and 22.9). These lane closures are possible from 8:00 p.m. today until 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
  These closures are for paving, guardrail installation, roadway striping and placing raised pavement markers as a part of the project  to construction acceleration and deceleration lanes aty this interechange. The project's complete work is scheduled to be completed by December 15, 2012.

 

The actual starting date and duration of these closures 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.

Lastly, the Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that beginning Monday construction crews will be performing pavement improvements on I-64 at mile marker 112, west of Exit 113. These improvements will reduce westbound traffic to one lane and will last 3 days, weather pending. Motorists can expect lane shirts and speed reductions.

 

For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot or www.trafficwise.in.gov .

Milton Madison Bridge is Progressing

By Randall Embry
Transportation Planner

The Milton Madison Bridge Project is currently underway.  Many wonder how engineers can make this happen without causing a major shutdown of the bridge, disrupting the communities of Milton, KY and Madison, IN, and affecting the 10,000 vehicles that cross it each day.

Walsh Construction out of Chicago, IL has come up with an innovative technique called “truss sliding”, which entails sliding a 2,426 foot long truss bridge onto the existing piers of the Milton Madison Bridge. Over the past year, barges have been set up along the Milton side of the Ohio River to construct the trusses.  Once the new trusses have been constructed, they are moved by barge over to the bridge site and raised up by strand jacks to rest on temporary piers next to the existing bridge.  This process will only require interruption of cross-river traffic for a total of 10 days during the construction of the new bridge.  The first closure of the bridge was April 25-28, 2012.  The next closure is scheduled for early 2013.  In addition to building the Milton Madison Bridge, Walsh Construction is a member of both teams that were recently selected for the East End and Downtown portions of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project.  In the not-too-distant future, there will be three major bridges over the Ohio River under construction in the KIPDA region. 

For more information on this innovative construction process and for further updates on the Milton Madison Bridge project, go to www.miltonmadisonbridge.com.

Notify Every Truck Program Named Project of the Year

The innovaive pilot program, NET (Notify Every Truck), overseen by the TRIMARC Traffic Operations Center in Louisville received the 2012 Project of the Year Award last week at the annual meeting of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Midwest in Columbus, Ohio.

ITS Midwest is a combined-state chapter of ITS America, and includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The ITS Midwesy Awards Program highlights the major accomplishments of the chapter's public and private sector members. The chosen Project of the Year award is based on merit and significance of the project to its ITS Community.

The NET program is designed to alert dispatchers, drivers, and commercial motor vehicle owners of major events on interstate highways or parkways throughout the state of Kentucky.  NET defines a “major event” as any directional total closure lasting longer than two hours.

The program began in 2008 as a collaborative effort between TRIMARC, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Kentucky Motor Transport Association, trucking company owners, the Towing and Recovery Association of Kentucky, environmental clean-up companies, and several local and state police agencies. 

NET is designed to ensure that incident information gets to the decision makers. Dispatchers are alerted when an Interstate Highway is closed so that decisions can be made to mitigate the effects of the closure.  With timely information, truck routes can be altered or rest stops changed to avoid delay. The TRIMARC Traffic Operations Center monitors the closure, updates the incident as necessary, and then re-notifies participants when the highway is cleared.  Valuable time, fuel, and pollutants are saved, secondary accidents are reduced, and responder safety is enhanced.

Participants sign up to receive text and/or email messages by completing a simple process at the program’s website: www.notifyeverytruck.com.  The only costs to participants are charges that may be incurred from their internet provider for service. 

 

Initially confined to the Louisville area, the program quickly garnered enthusiastic interest from commercial carriers (as well as state and federal agencies) and the area was extended to cover Kentucky segments of I-64, I-65 and I-71.  In 2012, the addition of a new server reduced the time required to cycle through the notification process and the program was expanded to cover all interstates and parkways in Kentucky.  When requested by the Kentucky State Traffic Operations Center, NET also sends out notifications regarding major incidents in Indiana and Tennessee.  To date, 259 Alerts have been issued.

KYTC Announces Ramp, Lane Closures

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office advises motorists of these lane and ramp closures:

• Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) in Jefferson County:  Contract crews are working on removing barrier wall, paving and guardrail installation as part of the project to construct acceleration and deceleration lanes at the I-71/I-264 interchange.  Motorists should expect lengthy delays in the project area tonight and all day Saturday.  The exit ramp from southbound I-71 to westbound I-264 (Exit 5) will be closed from 8:00 p.m. tonight until 2:00 p.m. on tomorrow.  The signed detour for this ramp closure is southbound I-71 to Zorn Avenue, access northbound I-71 and continue to I-264. In addition, the exit ramp from westbound I-264 to US 42 (Exit 22) will be closed from 8:00 p.m. today until 8:00 p.m. tomorrow as crews remove barrier wall and pave the ramp.  The right lane of westbound I-264 will also be closed during this time between I-71 and US 42.  The signed detour for the ramp closure is westbound I-264 to Westport Road, access eastbound I-264 and follow to US 42. Also be advised that the left lanes of Interstate 71 will be closed tomorrow from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. in both directions between I-264 and the Lime Kiln Lane overpass (mile points 5.0 and 5.8) to allow for completion of shoulder work and guardrail installation. MAC Construction and Excavating was awarded the contract for this project in the amount of $3.9 million.  The work is scheduled for completion by December 15, 2012.
• Interstate 64: Reduced to one lane in Jefferson County to allow for bridge joint repairs.  The eastbound side of I-64 will be reduced to one lane between Third Street and River Road (mile points 4.5 to 4.7) in downtown Louisville. These lane closures are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. tomorrow until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19.
• Entrance ramp from Smyrna Parkway to eastbound I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway) in Jefferson County: Temporarily closed due to installation of sound barrier panels.  This ramp is scheduled for closure tomorrow from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Motorists should follow the signed detour during this ramp closure via westbound I-265 to Preston Highway (Exit 12) and then access eastbound I-265.

             

  The actual starting date and duration of these projects 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.

             

  
  

Big Four Bridge Making Progress

Crews are working on the Indiana approach to the Big Four Bridge.

When KIPDA sets up a table at a local event (festivals, business expos, etc.) we are often asked about bridges.  Yes, sometimes it is about the Ohio River Bridges Project but in the past year it has been more about The Big Four Bridge. The Big Four Bridge is currently being converted from a railroad bridge to a bicycle and pedestrian bridge.

 KIPDA sought out to get an update on this project. Andy Crouch, City of Jeffersonville’s Engineer, said crews are erecting the steel tub girders and getting them into place. Crouch said officials expect to take delivery of the steel over Market Street on November 12^th and should have all the steel in place and to the Big 4 Bridge itself before the end of the year. He said the contractor is also hoping to have started pouring the concrete for the bridge deck before the end of the year.

 Mike Kimmel, of the Kentucky Waterfront Corp., said in late December the bridge will be open from the Kentucky side but that it will not connect to Indiana until their ramp is completed in June. Kimmel also said officials are still fundraising for decorative lighting that can be installed at any time.

Data Helps In Planning Efforts

By Stacey Burton
Transportation Planner

Data. For some, it causes eyes to glaze and thoughts of indecipherable numbers and formulas to pass through one’s head. However, data tells a story.  And when you get beyond the formulas and numbers, the story can be fascinating. 

KIPDA staff is currently working with a great deal of data in the development of the Connecting Kentuckiana Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and we hope to uncover a variety of stories as we sift through that data.  For example, where do people in our community go most often?  Where are the jobs today?  Where are they anticipated in the future? Where will housing be in the future? Will there be more multi-family housing? How many people are in the average household now?  What will that number be in the future? 

Review and analysis of the data will determine which stories become clearer, and we can use those to help inform the choices we make as we move forward with Connecting Kentuckiana.  Hopefully, decisions made using this data can help make your travel throughout our region  easier,  safer, and more efficient …  and improve your quality of life.  

Data and data analysis are critical for a better understanding of the world around us.  Data we use in developing a transportation plan assists us in better realizing the human condition and what we can do to make it better.  So the next time you see a lot of numbers and you feel the glaze coming on (and I can say that occasionally I am a victim myself),  try to remember that there is a story there. It is in the numbers. 

Need A Traffic Count? We Have Your Source!

By Andy Rush
Transportation Planner

KIPDA has been involved in all facets of traffic counting for many years, and staff continues to collect, report, and analyze traffic counts on a regular basis today. We use hundreds of traffic counts performed each year around this region by our partners ( such as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and several other agencies) on a regular basis as part of our transportation planning efforts.


In addition to these counts from our planning partners, we collect dozens of traffic counts each year to fill in the gaps in the network where recent counts do not exist, to supplement ongoing planning efforts, and to assist local member governments in the region.

In order to better organize, display, and distribute this information from all of these different sources, KIPDA staff created on online tool on the KIPDA website that is available for anyone to use 24/7. The new site is at:

http://www.kipda.org/Transportation/TrafficCounts/

This tool is a map created using Google Maps that is backed by a database containing traffic counts. It is designed for easy use via any internet browser. The user of this new tool can simply zoom into the area they are interested in and click on one of the dots along the roadway representing an individual traffic count. Information about the count is then displayed, including the name of the road, the agency that counted at this location, the year of the count, and the corresponding 24-hour traffic volume.

There are currently about 3,200 unique traffic counts displayed on this new site. This includes counts in all nine counties in the KIPDA Region. New counts will be added and older counts will be replaced with new ones on a regular basis and as they are received by KIPDA.

For more information, call Andy Rush at (502) 266-6084 or email him at AndyH.Rush@ky.gov.

License-issuing activity temporarily suspended in Oldham, Jefferson

Installation of software and cameras for Kentucky’s new driver’s license will require a one-day suspension of license-issuing activity in three Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk’s offices and the Oldham County Circuit Court Clerk's offices this week and next week. Dates for the installation are:

• October 24 - Oldham County
• October 29 – Outer Loop
• October 30 – Middletown
• October 31 – West Louisville

Other operations of the Circuit Clerk’s office are not affected, and the office will be open all day. Driver’s licensing operations will resume the following day, and the new license will be available to these residents.

“The new licenses are the manifestation of Kentucky’s efforts to improve the level of service provided to our customers, in addition to securing a credential Kentuckians use each day,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Department of Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Tom Zawacki.

The new license has multiple layers of security features, all linked to each other, so counterfeiters must compromise multiple technologies – not just one.

Features include:

• Digital watermark imperceptible to the human eye

• Bank note-level fine line printing

• Improved dual-side lamination for greater tamper resistance and durability

• Hologram with single-color, ultraviolet “ghost” image

Starting in the fall, new licenses will also feature “veteran” and “organ donor” designations. Customers are not required to obtain new licenses before current licenses expire, and the process for obtaining or renewing a license will not change. The cost remains $20.

We want to hear from you!

The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) is the metropolitan transportation planning organization for the five county region including Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. Our responsibilities include producing a long range transportation plan document, the Horizon 2030 Metropolitan Transportation Plan with projects listed through the year 2030, as well as a short range planning program, the FY 2011 – FY 2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that identifies planned federal funding expenditures through 2015.


Changes have been proposed for these documents and we would like to get your feedback. The Horizon 2030 Metropolitan Transportation Plan remains financially reasonable and the TIP remains fiscally constrained with the proposed changes. In addition, 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 amendment packet, which can be found at http://www.kipda.org/Transportation/Drafts.aspx.

We invite you to review the project information and submit comments to the following address by November 1, 2012.

TIP & Plan Amendment

KIPDA

11520 Commonwealth Drive

Louisville, KY 40299

Email comments to: kipda.trans@ky.gov

In addition, you may review the documents and ask questions in person during a public open house held at the following time and location:


Monday, October 29, 2012

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

St. Matthews Branch Public Library

3940 Grandview Avenue

St. Matthews, Kentucky 40207

For additional information, call Josh Suiter at 502-266-6084

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone in need of assistance should contact KIPDA with the requirements at the telephone numbers or address listed above.

TARC offering service to St. James Art Fair

The Transit Authority of River City is offering public transportation from downtown Louisville to the St. James Court Art Show during the art show, which runs Friday through Sunday.


TARC buses will leave PARC’s Brown Hotel garage (Third Street and Broadway) every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. They will run every 10 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. tomorrow and 9:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. Sunday. Passengers will be dropped off at Second and Hill streets for a short walk to the art show. The cost is $6 per carload, which covers parking and bus service. Patrons will be issues a pass before boarding to guarantee them return service to the garage.

In addition, fair-goers can use fare-free trolleys downtown. The Fourth Street trolley connect visitors with the First Friday Trolley Hop on Main and Market streets, Fourth Street Live and other downtown entertainment venues on Friday.

Riders can also board buses two and from the art fair at any stop along the route including an additional stop at Second Street and Breckenridge and another at Second Street and Hill. The cost is $1.75. Routes 2, 4 and 27 serve stops near the festival area.

For more information, call 585-1234, www.ridetarc.org or on TARC’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Lane closures tonight on Watterson West

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 Office announced that westbound Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) will be reduced to one lane between I-65 and Dixie Highway beginning at 10 p.m. today (October 3) until 5:30 a.m. tomorrow (October 4) to allow for pavement repairs.


For more information, call 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov. Information is also available on the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict 5.

Bike to Work on Friday!

Louisville Metro's Bike Louisville is encouraging you to bike to work this Friday.

A group will meet at Seneca Park to bike into the downtown area. Meet at the basketball courts at 7:15 a.m.  
Bring lights and bright/reflective clothing as it's not fully light outside at 7:15. If you don't have lights, Bike Louisville has a limited supply to hand out.

The group will then meet after work at 5:00 p.m. at 4th Street Live (by the escalators) to bike back to Seneca.

For more information, email john.eisinger@louisvilleky.gov.

KYTC Announces Several Lane, Ramp Closures

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 Office has announced the following lane and road ramp closures:

• Eastbound I-264 from Dixie Highway to I-65: 10 p.m. Today (September 28) t0 6 a.m. Monday (October 1). Motorist will be detoured via westbound I-264 to eastbound I-64 to southbound I-65 and then re-connected to I-264. All entrance and exit ramps will be closed at Taylor Blvd. and Third Street/Southern Parkway interchanges. The exit ramp from I-264 Eastbound to Crittenden Drive will be closed. This ramp closures will prevent access to the Louisville International Airport. Use the signed detours via westbound I-264 to eastbound I-64 and then southbound I-65. Follow soutbound I-65 to access the airport (exit 131B) and Crittenden Drive (Exit 132).
• Interstate 71 at mile point 14.3 in Oldham County: Sunday (September 30) , 6:30-7:30 a.m. Crews will be conducting a rolling road block along the interstate as they install cable across the roadway.
• Dixie Highway resurfacing between KY 1931 (Greenwood Road) and Interstate 264. Lane closures will begin next week and are possible all nights and weekends from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. One lane of traffic will be maintained each direction at all times. Shoulder closures are possible during daytime hours. The contract completion date for this project is June 30, 2013.

For more information on these projects, dial 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov or on the District 5 Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.

Fall Bike To Work Days Announced

Louisville Metro Government's Bike Louisville program is encouraging you to ride your bike to work this Friday, September 28, and next Friday, October 5.

A group will be meeting at the Seneca Park basketball courts at 7:15 a.m. to travel together or you can make the ride on your own.

If you would like to host a ride to work group and want metro to promote it, email them at john.eisinger@louisvilleky.gov.

Ramp closures this evening

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office announces temporary ramp closures on Interstate 65 in Louisville. The following ramps will be closed this evening, September 13th, for guardrail repairs:


• Exit ramp from northbound I-65 to Eastern Parkway (Exit 132) from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

• Exit ramp from southbound I-65 to Crittenden Drive (Exit 132) from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.


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.

INPUT SOUGHT FROM CLARK COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION PLAN

KIPDA and the Clark County Board of Commissioners asking seeking input from residents during an open house for the Clark County Transportation Plan.


The plan will assist county planners in making decisions to address the transportation needs for next 20 years. It will assess the conditions of the existing transportation network, study alternatives to correct these issues and offer recommendations for implementation to assure Clark County has a transportation system that meets its future needs.

The plan is composed of three reports. The initial report, called the “Existing & Future Conditions Assessment”, analyzed the existing transportation infrastructure and was the subject of a public open house last July. The second report, called “Alternatives Development”, builds on the needs identified in the first report, as well as suggestions received from the local agencies and public comments. It has created alternatives for all forms of transportation: vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and freight. Some examples include adding lanes to congested corridors, improving turn lanes at intersections with a high crash rate, and extending trails through a community. A digital version of the report will be available for download off the KIPDA’s website (www.kipda.org) beginning September 12th.

The study team is holding an open house style public meeting to hear from residents about the proposed alternatives. The meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. on September 17th at the Ken Ellis Center in Jeffersonville, 1425 Pennsylvania Avenue., in Jeffersonville. It will allow participants to view maps of Clark County where alternatives for improvement are being proposed, receive copies of the Executive Summary to the “Alternatives Development Report”, and talk to project representatives one-on-one.

For more information or questions, call Nick Batta with Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates, Inc., the project’s consultant, at 317-222-3880 or email him at nbatta@blainc.com

New Albany Hosting Meeting About McDonald Lane Improvements

The City of New Albany is hosting a public meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. tomorrow (August 20) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1725 Scheller Lane in New Albany, to discuss construction plans for McDonald Lane.

The project will reconstruct McDonald Lane, replace existing pavement and adding a storm sewer system using curbs and inlets. In addition, a new sidewalk will be added with a multi-use pat (for walking and biking) and some safety improvements will be added. There are also plans for two roundabouts (one at McDonald Lane and Hickoryvale Drive and another at McDonald Lane and Oxford Drive.

The open-house sessions will provide residents the opportunity to make comments on the designs, receive information about the project and talk to officials about the plans. In addition, residents can view prelimary plans at these locations:

• City of New Albany offices, 311 Hauss Square, Room 325 in the City-County Building. 
• New Albany-Floyd County Library, 180 W. Spring St.
• Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates office, 61 Quartermaster Court in Jeffersonville.

Written comments can be mailed to the project design consultants, Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates office, by emailing Nick Batta at nbatta@blainc.com.

KYTC Announces Lane Closures on Second Street Bridge

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet  has announced that he George Rogers Clark/Second Street Bridge will be reduced to one lane in reach direction from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday (August 29-30).

The closures will allow access to paint inspectors to examine the bottom of the bridge deck. One lane will be open to traffic at all times during the scheduled hours. Signage will also be in place to alert and guide motorist.

Congressman Yarmuth and Jeffersontown Announce Funding for Bluegrass Commerce Park Improvements




Congressman John Yarmuth presents
 a check to Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf.

 

Congressman John Yarmuth and City of Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf announced in a press conference today a federal investment to fund infastructure improvements and upgrades to the Bluegrass Commerce Park.



The funding, through the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP) is a $447,750 grant to resurface and rehabilitate the park's roadways, increase safety at key intersections and add a signature entrance to the park.

The improvements were selected as a part of the city's master plan for the park to make the park more competitive in attracting new businesses and retaining current ones.

The park, which is the largest industrial park in Kentucky, encompasses more than 1,800 acres and is home to about 850 businesses and has more than 40,000 workers within it. It represents an estimated annual employment tax base of more than $9 million for the city.

The funding through the Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program is available to states, metropolitan planning organizations and local governments to plan and implement strategies to improve the efficiency of transportation system, reduce enviornmental impacts of transportation and to ensure efficient access to jobs, services and centers of trade.

Bike ride benefits Ohio River Greenway

Le Tour de Pork,  a 50-mile bike race benefiting the Ohio River Greenway, will be heldat 7 a.m. August 11 at Turtle Run Winery, 940 St. Peter's Church Road NE in Corydon, Indiana.

The cost is $35, which includes the ride, a pork barbeque lunch and a t-shirt. To register, go to www.tourdeporkride.com. Registration is required and online registration closes on August 10.

For more information, email info@ohiorivergreenway.org or call (812) 989-9262.

Closures on southbound I-71, Hite Lane at KY22 and KY393

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

• Right lane on southbound Interstate 71 in Louisville approaching the ramp to southbound Interstate 65. The lane closure is scheduled for tonight (August 2nd) from 6:30 p.m. until midnight. KYTC crews will be performing bridge deck patching on the Witherspoon Street overpass.
• Closure of Hitt Lane at KY 22 as part of the KY 22 widening project in Jefferson County. Hitt Lane will be closed to through traffic at the intersection with KY 22 to allow for installation of sewers and drainage structures. This intersection is scheduled to close at 9:00 a.m. on Monday (August 6th) and will reopen by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 12th. Motorists should follow the signed detour via Haunz Lane.
• Closure of KY 393 near KY 146 in Oldham County (mile point 5.1).  This roadway will be closed from 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8^th until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10^th.  CSX Railroad will be making repairs to their crossing on KY 393 near Buckner (see red X on map below).

The starting date and duration of work may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays. 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 ramp and lane closures planned the next few days

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office has announced several ramp or lane closures. Be prepared and see the list below:

• Temporary ramp closures at the interchange of Interstate 64 and Interstate 265 (Gene Snyder Freeway): Contract crews will be paving southbound I-265 at this location and may need to close some of the ramps to complete this work. Ramps in the interchange could be closed at various points on today (July 31st) and tomorrow (August 1st) from 8:00 p.m. each evening until 5:00 a.m. the following morning. The ramps impacted by this work are:
• Exit ramp from southbound I-265 to eastbound I-64 (Exit 25A)
• Exit ramp from southbound I-265 to westbound I-64 (Exit 25B)
• Exit ramp from westbound I-64 to southbound I-265 (Exit 19A)
• Eastbound Interstate 64 will be reduced to one lane in Jefferson County at the bridge over Hurstbourne Parkway (mile point 15.0). These lane closures are scheduled for today (July 31st) and Thursday (August 2nd) from 6:30 p.m. until midnight each evening. KYTC crews will be performing bridge deck repairs.
• Lane closure on northbound Interstate 71 between mile points 18 and 22 in Oldham County. The left lane will be closed today (July 31st) and tomorrow (August 1st) from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. KYTC crews will be performing tree trimming in this area.

The starting date and duration of work may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays. 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.

Louisville Loop Public Meeting Tomorrow Night

A public meeting concerning the Fairdale to Floyds Fork section of the Louisville Loop will be held tomorrow (July 31) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Okolona Christian Church, 10801 Faithful Way.

This is the second of four meetings where input is being sought on the south central/southeastern portion of the Louisville Loop from National Turnpike at Fairdale Road to Floyds Fork near Bardstown Road.

For more information on the meeting or the Louisville Loop, go to www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/planninganddesign/metro_loop_trail.htm or http://www.louisvilleloop.org/.

New South Louisville Trolley Hop Begins Operating Tomorrow

South Louisville has a new Trolley Hop.  The trolley hop will run  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on various dates this year and next year. The first will be held tomorrow, July 28.

The trolley will make stops at nearly 40 landmarks, shops and restaurants in south and southwest Louisville. It connects the historic Iroquois Amphitheater (site of the annual Kentucky Music Weekend festival being held tomorrow) as well as the Jefferson Memorial Forest Welcome Center. It will also stop at the Little Loomhouse; the Auburndale Village Shopping Center, at the southwest corner of Third Street Road and New Cut Road; the Outer Loop Center at the northwest corner of New Cut Road and the Outer Loop; and the new Fairdale Library at West Manslick Road and Mitchell Hill Road.

Participants can park their cars at any of those locations or at the Kenwood Heights Christian Church, 5610 New Cut Road, or the Fairdale Playtorium, which is located behind the library. They also can board the trolley at any designated TARC stop.

As with TARC’s other two trolley hops – the First Friday Hop on the Market/Main corridor and the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop on Frankfort Avenue in the Crescent Hill/Clifton neighborhoods – there is no charge to ride the trolleys during the event due to sponsorship of South End Metro Council Neighborhood Funds. The Kentucky Music Weekend is free and open to the public as well.

Most sites along the trolley hop route are planning special events and/or attractions throughout the day.

The Little Loomhouse, located at 328 Kenwood Hill Road, boasts the biggest repository of original and classic textile patterns in the United States, and will have its three onsite cabins open for tour as well including antique weaving looms. The Fairdale Library will have special crafts for the kids and the Jefferson Memorial Forest will have a family canoe event on Tom Wallace Lake.

Additional dates for the trolley hop are August 18, September 8 and October 20 (all in 2012) and April 27 and May 18 (in 2013).
The trolley hops is sponsored by Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (District 13), Councilman Rick Blackwell (District 12), Councilman Bob Henderson (District 14), Councilwoman Marianne Butler (District 15), Councilman Dan Johnson (District 21); and Councilman David Yates (District 25).

Job Seekers Can Get A Free Ride to Local Employment Fair

Are you looking for a job and need help getting to an area job fair? Then TARC has an opportunity for you!

TARC'S Job Hunter Bus will be available to job seekers attending Congressman John Yarmuth's Veteran's Resources and Jobs Fair on Friday, July 27.


The bus will pick up job seekers at five stops, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Those stops are: the Urban League, 1535 West Broadway; the Nia Center; the Office For Vocational Rehabilitation; Goodwill Industries, 332 West Broadway; and NC3, 334 East Broadway. That event, held at the UAW Union Hall at 3000 Fern Valley Road, lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last bus to leave that job fair will depart at 2 p.m. and will return riders to their stops.

There is no charge to ride the Job Hunter Bus, which provides pre-planned transportation to groups of twenty or more potential employees to job fairs throughout the metro area. All TARC buses are can accommodate wheelchairs and are equipped with bike racks.

For information on route schedules and pick-up/drop-off sites, visit http://www.ridetarc.org/job-hunter-bus/. For easy trip planning using the Google Maps trip planner, visit www.ridetarc.org.

I-65 South To Be Closed This Weekend From I-64 to the Watterson

If you are planning to travel down I-65 this weekend, here is a warning - you will have delays. Paving of the final asphalt surface on the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 is scheduled for this weekend.

To expedite the work, southbound I-65 will be completely closed from I-64 in downtown Louisville to I-264 (mile points 136.4 to 131.2). This road closure is scheduled from 7 p.m. EDT Friday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 23.


All entrance and exit ramps on southbound I-65 in the project area will be closed during paving.

During the closure of southbound I-65, motorists will be detoured via westbound I-64 to eastbound I-264, which connects with southbound I-65.

For construction and traffic updates, visit http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx. Traffic information for all eight counties in District 5 is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information across Kentucky.

Construction to begin this week on I-71 and I-264 interchange

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has awarded MAC Construction and Excavating a $3.9 million contract to improve the interchange at Interstates 71 and 264. Work will begin later this week on the roadway expansion meant to enhance capacity and safety.


I-264 (Watterson Expressway) will be widened to three lanes in both directions between US 42 and I-71. The entrance ramp from eastbound I-264 to northbound I-71 will be extended by approximately 3,000 feet to the Lime Kiln Lane overpass providing motorists more distance to merge onto I-71.

A deceleration lane will be constructed on southbound I-71 for motorists exiting onto westbound I-264 providing motorists more distance to slow before entering the Watterson Expressway.

The contractor will pave a new asphalt surface on I-264 between US 42 and I-71 and on I-71 between the Lime Kiln Lane overpass and I-264. Lane closures are possible weeknights from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following morning, and shoulders may be closed during the day. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 MPH in the work zone.  The project is scheduled for completion by December 15, 2012.

The start date and duration of work is subject to change in the case of inclement weather or an unforeseeable delay.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for traffic and construction updates on Kentucky roadways.

More traffic changes as work on the Kennedy Bridge continues

Motorists encounter more traffic changes as construction continues on the Kennedy Bridge. The exit ramps from eastbound and westbound I-64 to southbound I-65 (Exit 5A) closed Saturday, July 14. Motorists must follow the I-264 detour (Watterson Expressway) to access I-65.


Motorists traveling southbound on I-71 will also encounter changes due to the closure of the I-65 southbound ramp.  Southbound I-71 merges with westbound I-64 just before the interchange with I-65.  The construction contractor has until the end of July to complete work on these ramps.

The following ramps will remain closed for the duration of the construction:

     - The exit ramp from eastbound I-64 to northbound I-65 in
       Kentucky
     - The exit ramp from southbound I-65 to Market Street in Indiana
     - The entrance ramp from Court Avenue to southbound I-65 in
        Indiana

The following ramps will remain closed through mid-July:

     - The ramp from westbound I-64 to northbound I-65
     - The ramp from southbound I-71 to northbound I-65
     - The northbound exit ramp to Jeffersonville (Exit 0)

Vehicles wider than 9 feet remain prohibited from traveling through the work zone.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) posts construction and traffic updates at http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx. Traffic information for all eight counties in District 5 is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

I-65 Kennedy Bridge lane and ramp closures expected to reopen mid-next week

Due to unanticipated repairs on the Kennedy Bridge, motorists can expect lane and ramp closures through the middle of next week. I-65 northbound will remain restricted to one lane and I-65 southbound will be restricted to two lanes. Ramps from westbound I-64 and southbound I-71 to northbound I-65 and the northbound I-65 Exit 0 to Downtown Jeffersonville will be closed until the middle of next week. Motorists traveling from westbound I-64 and southbound I-71 should continue using the I-264 detour to access I-65 northbound.


While repaving and making repairs on the north end of the bridge, the contractor, MAC Construction and Excavating, discovered more corrosion underneath than was initially anticipated. Once repairs are made, the remaining concrete will be poured, and the bridge will be reopened mid-next week.

For construction and traffic updates, visit http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx.

Bids opened for East End Crossing Contract

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) opened accepted bids yesterday from six Indiana teams hoping to complete design and build a 3,000-foot extension of Old Salem Road. The expansion will consist of a 170-foot bridge that will span the future State Road 265 roadway to the East End Bridge.


Unofficial bids of $3.19 million to $4 million were submitted. INDOT will review the lowest bidder’s Affirmative Action Certification and compliance with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals in effort to award a contract within two weeks.

Old Salem Road will be the first exit north of the East End Bridge once opened. The crossing will accommodate large trucks traveling to and from the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville and the River Ridge Commerce Center. Work on Old Salem Road under this contract is expected to be complete by June 2013.

McNeely Lake Park Roadway Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held Tuesday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Okolona Christian Church, 10801 Faithful Way. This is the second meeting on the proposed roadway through McNeely Lake Park, which will connect Mt. Washington Road and Cedar Creek Road improving pedestrian paths to all areas of the park. Ideas from the project design team will be presented, and the public will be given an opportunity to provide input.


To request additional information, ask questions, or leave comments for the project team, visit louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/planninganddesign/projects/mcneelyroadway.htm or call (502) 456-8100.

Section of I-65 northbound scheduled for closure July 13-16

Beginning Friday, a section of I-65 northbound between I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and Chestnut Street overpass (“Hospital Curve”) will be completely closed due to paving. This section of I-65 will be closed beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening to 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning. The total closure of this section, which includes all entrance and exit ramps, will expedite the paving.


Hall Construction of Kentucky Inc. is the contractor on the $21.7 million project. According to Louisville’s chief engineer for the Department of Highways, the new asphalt surfacing of the three lanes will be paved simultaneously, which will reduce the chances of cracking resulting in potholes. The surface will also include a waterproofing mixture to prevent water from infiltrating the pavement prolonging the life of the roadway.

42 bridges (21 each way) within the section will undergo concrete patching and waterproofing. Motorists will use I-264 and westbound I-64 into southern Indiana to access northbound I-65. A second phase of construction will shift to southbound I-65 and is scheduled for closure on the weekend of July 20-23. The project completion date is set for September 30, 2012.

For construction and traffic updates, visit http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx. Traffic information for all eight counties in District 5 is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information across Kentucky.

Chamberlain Lane closed for two weeks for widening of KY 22

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) temporarily closed Chamberlain Lane at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 6. The closure is due to the construction of the New Chamberlain Lane and widening of KY 22. Motorists must use New Chamberlain Lane to access KY 22. The roadway will be closed to through traffic until Friday, July 20. Local access is permitted.


Construction at the intersection of KY 22, KY 1694, and New Chamberlain Lane will continue, and improvements are expected to be made through the end of July.

KYTC has announced the following restrictions during this work:

     • Motorists traveling south on KY 1694 must turn left or right onto KY 22. Alignment of the lanes from    southbound KY 1694 to New Chamberlain Lane is not complete yet.

    • Motorists traveling west on KY 22 are prohibited from turning left onto New Chamberlain Lane until construction of the left turn lane is completed.

The starting date and duration of work may be changed in the case of inclement weather or unforeseeable delays. Motorists can dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest updates or visit http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx or www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.