KYTC announces additional lane closures on Kennedy Bridge

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced need for an additional lane closure for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. While at work on June 26, construction crews discovered that the upper layer of reinforcing steel is too close to the roadway surface. The steel must be covered, which will require more concrete. Due to additional concrete, larger machines are needed and will take up more than one lane. For this reason, traffic will be reduced to one lane at prescribed times.


I-65 southbound was reduced to one lane beginning at 8 p.m. on June 26 while two lanes remained open on I-65 northbound. KYTC says the traffic pattern will be in place until July 4. To help reduce congestion on weekdays, KYTC will designate three lanes on the Clark Memorial Bridge to flow southbound to Louisville from Southern Indiana.

Following this phase of construction, KYTC will do the opposite for the second phase designating one lane for motorists on I-65 northbound and two lanes on I-65 southbound. This reverse traffic pattern will begin on July 4 at midnight.

The following ramp closures will remain in effect throughout the duration of the project: 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, and the entrance ramp from Court Avenue to southbound I-65 in Indiana. The exit ramps from southbound I-65 to eastbound I-64/northbound I-71 and westbound I-64 are currently closed, but will reopen on July 3. Also, the exit ramps from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-64/northbound I-71 and westbound I-64 will remain closed until July 7.

All construction is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2012. KYTC offers construction and traffic updates at http://transportation.ky.gov/District-5/Pages/I-65-Construction.aspx. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 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.

TARC service changes will take effect August 12

The TARC Board of Directors has approved a plan to reduce service taking effect on August 12. Only half of the initially proposed routes will be eliminated. TARC approved the plan based on recent positive financial developments and agreements to purchase diesel fuel at a lower price.


TARC will discontinue three routes in Indiana: #74-Jeffersonville Park and Ride, #65x-Southern Indiana Express and #73x-Charlestown Road Express. The other two eliminated routes will be #37x-Iroquois-Fairdale Express and #38x-Deering Road Express.

TARC received over 800 public comments on the proposed changes at six public meetings held in May during a public comment period. TARC understands that the changes will have a negative impact on riders, but insists that it is necessary to balance the budget. TARC warns it is possible to eliminate service again in the future due to limited funding and rising costs.

TARC will restructure service in Indiana on a new Indiana-only route (#82). The route will access Veterans Parkway in Clarksville linking New Albany, Clarksville, and Jeffersonville. TARC’s plan to access River Ridge Commerce Center will be delayed due to safety concerns of a road ramp and railroad crossing at Indiana 62 and I-265.

The change in service will save an estimated $607,000 in operating costs next fiscal year.  Recent fare increases will take effect July 1, 2012. Visit http://www.ridetarc.org/ for more information.

"Dump the Pump" Tomorrow

Want to “dump the pump?” TARC is encouraging commuters to save money and ride transit instead of taking a car tomorrow. The seventh annual National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).


TARC wants to remind commuters that transit is an inexpensive and efficient way to travel around Kentuckiana. AAA quotes the current price of fuel in the Louisville area at $3.609 per gallon—a $.50 increase from last year’s prices. Public transportation is the easiest way to beat gas prices, so “dump the pump” tomorrow and ride TARC.

For additional information visit http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc or http://www.twitter.com/ridetarc.

TARC ticket and pass rates are increasing

TARC rate increases will take effect on July 1, 2012. TARC passes with new pricing is available for purchase at www.ridetarc.org and at TARC headquarters at Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway. TARC passes can also be purchased at Fifth Third Bank locations, the NIA Center, and the Louisville Free Public Library Main Branch located on York Street in downtown Louisville.


From now to July 31, passengers may use old tickets and pay the additional fare amount when they board; however, after July 31, old tickets will be void. Old tickets may be exchanged with payment of the increased fare amount, but only at Union Station.

A monthly pass will now cost $50 and a one-way base cash fare will now cost $1.75. TARC3 service to individuals with disabilities will now cost $3.00. TARC continues to review route changes, which will be determined by June 30 and take effect August 12.

For updates and additional information, passengers can visit http://www.ridetarc.org/, www.facebook.com/ridetarc or call customer service at 585-1234 or TTY: 587-8255.

LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR KENNEDY BRIDGE REPAIRS

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced lane closures on the Kennedy Bridge beginning at 9 p.m. tonight.

Work began Monday evening to replace bridge bearings at the piers on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. While jacking up the bridge slightly to accommodate this work, contract crews experienced difficulty with lifting one of the expansion joints at Pier 3, the second pier in the water from the Kentucky shore. This joint will not move due to accumulation of roadway debris.

In order to replace the bridge bearing underneath this locked joint, the expansion joint must be removed. Lane and ramp closures at the bridge will be necessary during this work. Interstate 65 across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction tonight (May 29th) and tomorrow (May 30th) from 9:00 p.m. each evening until 5:00 a.m. the following morning.

The ramp from eastbound I-64 to northbound I-65 will be closed from 9:00 p.m. on today (May 29th) until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow (May 30th). Motorists should follow the signed detour via eastbound Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to northbound I-65.

Daytime lane closures are also needed to complete this work. The left lane only will be closed in each direction on tomorrow (May 30th) from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

All ramps to and from the bridge will remain open during this phase of construction.

Due to the jacking of the bridge, vehicles weighing in excess of 15 tons are prohibited from crossing the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. This weight restriction began at midnight on Monday evening, May 28th and will continue through midnight on Friday evening, June 1st. Law enforcement officers are in place to detour these vehicles around the construction zone.

For southbound I-65, 15-ton or greater vehicles will need to follow the signed detour via westbound I-265 to eastbound I-64, crossing the Sherman Minton Bridge and then access I-65 in downtown Louisville.

For northbound I-65, these same vehicles will need to follow the signed detour via westbound I-264 to westbound I-64, crossing the Sherman Minton Bridge, follow to eastbound I-265 and then access I-65 in southern Indiana.

The major bridge construction will begin in mid-June with the bridge being reduced to two lanes in each direction. The John F. Kennedy Bridge carries an average of 136,000 vehicles per day.

Lane closures will also be in place during the overnight hours on Interstate 64 between I-65 and I-71 (mile points 5 and 6) for preparatory work ahead of the bridge construction. Lane closures are possible in the weeknights from 8:00 p.m. each evening until 5:00 a.m. the following morning through June 6th. These lane closures will allow for installation of work platforms and debris containment.

MAC Construction and Excavating, of New Albany, Indiana, is the contractor on this $18.2 million construction project. Work is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 15, 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 the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

We want to hear from you!

Do you have a hard time commuting to work due to traffic? Is it unsafe for your kids to walk to school? Do you have a hard time getting to the grocery or doctor's office? The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) wants to hear from you!

We are working to Connect Kentuckiana as we seek public input on the update of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. KIPDA is the metropolitan planning organization that serves the Louisville-Southern Indiana area, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana.

The Connecting Kentuckiana iniatitive will provide you the opportunity to share the challenges you face every day as you travel throoughout the region. You can attend any of the 25 workshops to provide KIPDA staff with your input. Once the data is collected the information will be compiled and used to create a set of solutions and you will again be provided the opportunity to give your feedback.

Written comments may be sent to KIPDA by e-mail at kipda.trans@ky.gov, by fax at (502) 266-5047 or by mail to Connecting Kentuckiana, KIPDA, 11520 Commonwealth Drive, Louisville, KY 40299.

The following are the dates for community workshops, which will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and are an open house format. This format enables residents to come and go as they need to. Here is the schedule:

• May 21 at Highland Hills Middle School, 3492 Edwards Galena Road in Georgetown

• May 21 at Louisville Science Center, 727 W. Main St., in Louisville

• May 24 at St. Matthews City Hall, 3940 Grandview Ave.

• May 29 at Iroquois Library, 601 W. Woodlawn Ave., in Louisville

• May 31 at NIA Center, 2900 W. Broadway in Louisville

• June 4 at Urban Government Center, 810 Barret Ave., in Louisville

• June 4 at Paroquet Springs Conference Center, 395 Paroquet Springs Center in Shepherdsville

• June 5 at Griffin Street Recreation Center, 1140 Griffin St., in New Albany

• June 5 at the City of Mt. Washington Annex Building, 186 Branham Way

• June 7 at Republic Bank, 9600 Brownsboro Road in Louisville

• June 7 at Southwest Regional Library, 10375 Dixie Highway in Louisville

• June 11 at Newburg Library, 4800 Exeter Ave., in Louisville

• June 11 at Jeffersontown Community Center, 10617 Taylorsville Road

• June 12 at Charlestown Library, 51 Clark Road

• June 12 at Fairdale Library, 10620 Manslick Road

• June 18 at Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Place in Louisville

• June 19 at Fern Creek Library, 6786 Bardstown Road in Louisville

• June 21 at Clarksville Town Hall, 2000 Broadway

• June 25 at Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Ave., in Louisville

• June 28 at Ken Ellis Community Center, 1425 Pennsylvania Ave in Jeffersonville.

In addition to these sites, KIPDA is also working to schedule a workshop near the University of Louisville. The date will be made available on the website listed below.

Information is also available on the Connecting Kentuckiana website www.connectingkentuckiana.com. For more information on the workshops, call Josh Suiter at (502) 266-6084.

Closures for Thunder Over Louisville announced by KYTC, INDOT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation have announced the following closures, which will cause traffic changes beginning tomorrow through Sunday, in preparation for and following Thunder Over Louisville:

• Clark Memorial Bridge: Closing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday (April 19) through 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22.
• Third Street Exit Ramp off I-64 Westbound and Second Street Entrance Ramp to I-64 Eastbound: Closed 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20 through 6 a.m. Sunday, April 22.
• 
  I-65 Southbound from Interstate 265 (I-265) to the Kennedy Bridge: Closed on Saturday, April 21 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Southbound I-65 motorists will be rerouted onto westbound I-265 towards New Albany and I-64. All access ramps to southbound I-65 that are between I-265 and the Kennedy Bridge will close as well. These ramps will only open to southbound I-65 traffic once the fireworks show is over and the roadways are safe for vehicular traffic.

For more information, Kentucky residents - Dial 511 or log on to http://www.511.ky.gov/ for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or Indiana resident - For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot and http://www.trafficwise.in.gov/.