Kernan announces design teams for Indiana portion of Bridges Project
Jeffersonville, Ind. (July 29, 2004) – Overlooking the Ohio River, Gov. Joe. Kernan
today awarded two design-engineering and consulting contracts for the Indiana approaches
to a cross-river transportation project between Southern Indiana and the Louisville
metro area.
The $1.9 billion national transportation project, which consists of two new bridges
spanning the Ohio River, is currently in the design phase. Construction is scheduled
to begin in 2007.
"Not only will this project mean less traffic congestion, cleaner air and overall
improved mobility for residents in the area, it also will result in additional economic
development in Southeast Indiana," Kernan said. "When this project is completed,
the Clark Maritime Centre and other businesses along the Ohio River will have direct
access to Interstates 65 and 265. This will stimulate trade and position Indiana
for future business investments."
One three-lane bridge on I-65 will be located just north of the existing downtown
Jeffersonville bridge. Butler, Fairman and Seufert, headquartered in Indianapolis,
was selected as the lead design consultant for the approach system for this bridge.
Primary subcontractors for the approach include Janssen and Spaans Engineering,
First Group and USI (DBE), all headquartered in Indianapolis. The design contract
is estimated at $12 million dollars.
A second bridge will link Ind. 265 in Clark County near Utica to the Gene Snyder
Freeway in Kentucky. Indiana Approach Partners - comprised of Burgess & Niple Inc.,
American Consulting Engineers and Michael Baker Engineers - will work on the approach
system for the second bridge.
American Consulting is headquartered in Indianapolis. Burgess & Niple, Inc., out
of Columbus, Ohio, has a regional office in Indianapolis, and Michael Baker Engineers
has offices in Merrillville, Bloomington and Pittsburgh, and will open an office
in Jeffersonville. The contract is estimated at $10 million.
Federal transportation enhancement dollars, administered by the Indiana Department
of Transportation, will be used to finance 80 percent of Indiana's share of the
project, estimated at $623 million. Kentucky will pay the remaining $1.3 billion.
The Federal Highway Administration authorized the Ohio River Bridges Project for
design and construction in September 2003. This fall, a bi-state commission will
select a firm to design the actual bridge structures. Construction is estimated
to be complete by 2020.
U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show that for every billion dollars
invested in transportation infrastructure, 47,500 jobs are created.
"This project not only brings opportunity for Hoosier engineering and construction
firms, it ultimately will enhance Indiana's ability to attract high-tech distribution
business to the state," Kernan said.