Downtown Bridge Design team selected
Louisville, Ky. (October 29, 2004) - Michael Baker Jr. Inc. was chosen today as the
firm to design the Downtown Bridge, which is one part of the Ohio River Bridges
Project. The company, based in Pennsylvania with a local office in Louisville, will
design a new six-lane northbound bridge just east of the Kennedy Bridge connecting
Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana. In addition to a new Downtown Bridge, the
scope of the work includes a new East End Bridge and a rebuild of the Kennedy Interchange.
“This bridge is important not only to the growth of the Louisville area, but to
the entire country,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey.
“I-65 is a major freight corridor and serves as a vital link in the eastern U.S.
for the shipment of goods and services between gulf coast states north to the Canadian
border.”
“Citizens on both sides of the river support plans to improve mobility and enhance
commerce in this area,” said Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner J.
Bryan Nicol. “As we’ve said from the beginning, it’s two states, two bridges, one
project—to benefit the entire region.”
“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to building these bridges,” said
Indiana 9th District Congressman Baron Hill. “This shows what can happen when two
states and two Congressional delegations work together toward a common goal. I will
continue to work to build these bridges as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.”
"This is another important milestone we have reached in our effort to build two
bridges across the Ohio River. The bridges are instrumental to creating jobs and
growing the economy of Louisville and the entire region. Safe, efficient transportation
is essential to alleviating burdensome delays and moving goods and materials that
so many local businesses depend on," said Kentucky 3rd District Congresswoman Anne
Northup.
Five companies, out of a possible 13 who were pre-qualified with the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet to design spans of more than 500 feet, submitted proposals for the project.
The companies submitting proposals were: Michael Baker Jr., Inc., HTNB, Parsons
Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc., URS Corporation and T.Y. Lin International.
Bailey and Nicol explained that the communities on both sides of the river would
be involved in the design process with a desire to create a lasting landmark for
the Louisville/Southern Indiana area.
The company will develop a variety of bridge concepts, which will be widely displayed
at public meetings and on the bridges Web Site, www.kyinbridges.com.
The bridge design selection process is expected to take approximately one year and
the final design will be chosen by an executive committee. Construction should tentatively
begin in 2007.
The selection of the winning firm was made by a five-member Professional Services
Consulting Selection Committee. The selection was based on a qualification process
and not a low bid.
The Ohio River Bridges Project, estimated in 2003 to cost $1.9 billion, will be
paid for by the Indiana Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
and the Federal Highway Administration. Construction is expected to begin in 2007
and is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The Ohio River Bridges Project includes
a second bridge, to be located to the east at I-265. The design team for that bridge
is scheduled to be announced November 12.