Governors announce plans for Sherman-Minton Bridge repairs

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said today the two states have agreed on a solution to repair the Sherman-Minton Bridge following three weeks of inspection, testing and analysis.


The bridge will remain closed for about six months whil repairs are made. Preliminary cost estimates are $20 million. Contractor bids, which will be opened in mid-October, will include incentives for early completion.

“We’ll do all we can to get the bridge opened as quickly as possible but there will be no shortcuts on safety. After considering multiple options, the experts agree the repair strategy that has been selected is the best option,” said Daniels, who ordered the bridge between New Albany and Louisville closed on September 9 following discovery of a serious crack in a steel tie.

“Our goal throughout this review process was to develop an aggressive plan to repair and reopen it as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am grateful that Administrator Victor Mendez has personally pledged to expedite the necessary federal reviews of this project, and I am hopeful that with incentives and innovative management from the construction bidders that we will be able to reopen even sooner.”

To repair the bridge, new steel plating will be installed along both sides of the bridge tie that runs horizontally along the entire 1,600-foot structure. This will increase the bridge’s safety and reliability. The repairs will give the bridge at least 20 more years of useful life. During the additional bridge testing, other weld defects were found at numerous locations that confirmed closing the bridge was the appropriate decision for public safety.

Indiana, which has lead responsibility for maintenance of the bridge, will issue bid documents to contractors interested completing the bridge repair on Tuesday (Oct. 4). Bids will be awarded in mid-October. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) conducted a pre-bid meeting with contractors earlier this week. The two states share bridge costs equally.

An incentive of $100,000 per day will be offered for each day the winning contractor finishes work before the target completion date. The incentive is capped at $5 million or 50 days.

Louisville Bike to Work Day 2011 is Tomorrow

Louisville's Bike to Work Day Celebration is tomorrow. Three locations around town will be set up at 7 a.m. so commuters can meet up and ride with others.

The three locations to meet for a ride are:

•Seneca Park Meet & Ride at the basketball court parking lot just west of the tennis courts

•Iroquois Park Meet & Ride at the the Amphitheater parking lot

•Shawnee Park Meet & Ride at the Southwestern and Broadway entrance

In addition at noon, there will be a celebration at 4th Street Live! Meet up with other commuters, learn more about bicycle commuting, visit with vendors and celebrate the bicycle! One of the lucky bike to work day registrants will win a new Trek 7000 commuting bike, with packs and rack, no purchase necessary! There will also be Louisville's printed bike map and drawings for other prizes!


Bike to Work Day will be held rain or shine. Participants can ride back to the meet and rides from 4th Street Live! at 5:15 p.m.  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.

For more information or to register, go to http://www.louisvilleky.gov/BikeLouisville/biketoworkday2011.htm.

Lane Closure Monday on Interstate 65 on the John F. Kennedy Bridge

 The right lane of southbound Interstate 65 across the John F. Kennedy Bridge (mile points 136.7 and137.7) will be closed on Monday, September 12th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Engineers from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will be performing their joint annual inspection of the bridge which carries Interstate 65 across the Ohio River from Jeffersonville, IN to Louisville, KY.

In addition, the exit ramps from southbound I-65 to both eastbound and westbound I-64 will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. as part of this inspection process.

The lane closure is subject to change due to inclement weather and other unforeseen 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.

KIPDA Radio Program Available on Website

A 20-minute program featuring KIPDA and the Metropolitan Planning Organization that aired a month ago on Way-FM (93.9 FM) and Shine 105.9 FM is now available on the KIPDA website.

It can be found at http://www.kipda.org/Transportation/Public_Outreach.aspx.


The "Business Spotlight" is a free program and will address the MPO and the planning process. KIPDA staff participated in the pre-recorded interview.

The radio stations spotlight a different company, agency or organization every Sunday morning.

INDOT Making Repairs Along I-65

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will be replacing concrete and asphalt and installing under-road drains on oth sides of I-65 from Sellersburg to Henryville.

The work is expected to last until mid-October. Drivers can expect lane changes, speed restrictions and possible onstructions due to the work.

TARC Prepares For Ironman, Changes Routes On Sunday

TARC is adjusting several of its routes because of the Ford Ironman Triathalon on Sunday, August 28. Due to the event, there will street closures from 11 a.m. until the remainder of the day at different times.

 

Traffic will be allowed to cross the route on the following roadways when the area is clear of runners from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., after 2 p.m. 3rd Street will be closed to all traffic from Muhammad Ali to Southern Parkway at Newcut Road.

 

• Jefferson Street
• Liberty Street
• Breckenridge Street
• Kentucky Street
• Hill Street
• Cardinal Boulevard
• Central Avenue

 

 Be aware of the following detours:

  

• Route #2 - Second Street Northbound - coaches will follow regular route to 2nd and Breckenridge, left on Breckenridge, right on 4th Street, left on Broadway, right on 5th Street, right on Market, right on 1st Street to regular route southbound. After 2 p.m. northbound coaches will continue 2nd Street to left on Jefferson Street, right on 5th to regular route.

 

•  Route #4 - Southbound - continue 4th Street to Cardinal Street, left on Cardinal, right on Bradley, right on Crittenden Drive, right on Nevada Street, left on 3rd (if traveling to Iroquois Park), left on 2nd Street to Southside Drive (if traveling to Southland Park). After 2 p.m. coaches will continue 4th Street through Central to right on Longfield, left on Taylor Blvd. to I-264 East to Crittenden Drive exit, left on Crittenden Drive, right on Nevada Street, left on 3rd (if traveling to Iroquois Park), left on 2nd Street to Southside Drive (if traveling to Southland Park).

•  Route #15 & 18 Eastbound - regular route on Market Street to 6th Street, right on 6th Street, left on Liberty Street, left on 2nd Street, right on Market Street to regular route. After 3 p.m. to regular route using Market and Jefferson Street.

•  Route #17 Eastbound after 3 p.m. - coaches from Liberty Street, left on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 2nd Street, left on Liberty Street to regular route.

•  Route #43 Southbound - regular route on Market Street to 6th Street, right on 6th Street, left on Liberty Street, left on 2nd Street, right on Market street to regular route. After 3 p.m. to regular route using Market and Jefferson Street.

• Route #19 & 21 Eastbound - continue Chestnut Street to 5th Street, left on 5th Street, right on Liberty Street, right on 2nd Street, left on Chestnut Street to regular route. After 3 p.m. left on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 2nd Street, left on Chestnut Street to regular route.

•  Route #19 & 21 Westbound - continue Muhammad Ali to 2nd Street, right on 2nd , left on Jefferson Street, left on 6th Street, right on Muhammad Ali to regular route.

•  Route #23 Eastbound - continue Broadway to 4th Street, right on 4th Street, left on Kentucky Street, left on 2nd Street, right on Broadway Street to regular route. After 2 p.m. left on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 2nd Street, left on Broadway to regular route.

•  Route #23 Westbound - continue Broadway to right on Brook Street, left on Gray Street, left on 1st Street, right on Breckenridge Street, right on 4th Street, left on Broadway to regular route. After 2 p.m. right 2nd Street, left on Jefferson Street, left on 6th Street, right on Broadway to regular route.

•  Route #25 Eastbound - continue Oak Street to 4th Street, left on 4th Street, right on Kentucky Street, right on 1st Street, left on Oak Street to regular route. After 2 p.m. left on 4th Street, left on Broadway, right on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 1st Street, left on Oak Street to regular route.

•  Route #25 Westbound - continue Oak Street to 2nd Street, right on 2nd Street, left on Breckenridge Street, left on 4th Street, right on Oak Street to regular route. After 2 p.m. from St. Catherine to I-65 North to I-64 West to 9th Street exit, left on Kentucky Street, right on 4th Street, right on St. Catherine Street, left on Garvin Place, right on Oak Street to regular route.

•  Route #27 Eastbound- After 2 p.m- left on 4th Street, left on Broadway, right on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 1st Street, left on Hill Street to regular route.

•  Route #27 Westbound- After 2 p.m.- right on Brook Street, right on Oak Street, left on Floyd Street, right on St. Catherine to I-65 North to I-64 West to 9th Street exit, left on Kentucky Street, right on 4th Street, right on St. Catherine Street, left on Garvin Place, left on Oak Street, right on 4th Street, right on Hill Street to regular route.

•  Route #29 Eastbound - regular route on Winkler Avenue to 4th Street, left on 4th Street, right on Cardinal Street, right on Bradley Street thru to Crittenden Drive, left on Eastern Parkway to regular route. After 2 p.m. left on 4th Street, left on Industry, right on 7th via 9th to I-64. East to I-65 South to Arthur Street exit, left on Cardinal via Brandeis, right on Bradley, right on Crittenden Drive, left on Eastern Parkway to regular route.

•  Route #29 Westbound - regular route on Eastern Parkway to Crittenden Drive, right on Crittenden Drive, left on Bradley, left on Brandeis via Cardinal to left on 4th Street, right on Winkler to regular route. After 2 p.m. right on Crittenden Drive, left on Warnock, right on I-65 North to I-64 West to 9th Street via 7th Street, left on Industry, right on 4th Street, right on Winkler to regular route.

•  Route #71 & 72 Southbound & Northbound - from Indiana - coaches will take I-65 South to Jefferson Street exit, left on 1st Street, right on Breckenridge Street, right on 4th Street, left on Broadway, right on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 4th Street, left on Liberty to I- 65 North to exit 0 to right on Court Avenue to regular route. After 2 p.m. coaches will take I-65 South to Jefferson Street exit, left on 1st Street, right on Broadway, right on 2nd Street, left on Jefferson Street, right on 6th Street, left on York Street, left on 4th Street, left on Broadway to right on 5th Street, right on Market Street, right on 1st Street, left on Liberty Street to I-65 north to exit 0 to right on Court Avenue to regular route.

 

Sherman Minton Bridge Undergoing Repairs

In case you haven't been on the Sherman Minton bridge this week, be aware you could be facing some delays.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that bridge maintenance will require a continuous closure for one of the three I-64 eastbound lanes. The lane closure is expected to impact rush hour traffic for several months on the lower deck of the bridge, but not the upper deck that carries I-64 westbound traffic across the Ohio River.


Most work will take place underneath the driving surface of the bridge over the Ohio River. A continuous work zone speed limit of 45 miles per hour will also be in effect for the safety of motorists and contractors. Commuters should expect delays and consider following I-265 to I-65 as an alternate route.