East End Bridge Design Team selected
Jeffersonville, IN (November 12, 2004) – A five-person committee of Indiana and
Kentucky representatives selected Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. today
to design the new East End bridge, part of the Ohio River Bridges Project. The decision
was based on a qualifications process, not low bid.
About eight miles from downtown, the new six-lane bridge will connect the Gene Snyder
Freeway (KY 841) in Prospect, Kentucky with the Lee Hamilton Highway in Utica, Indiana
(IN 265). In addition to the East End Bridge, the project scope includes a new Downtown
Bridge and a rebuild of the Kennedy Interchange.
Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner J. Bryan Nicol commented, "There
is no doubt that the Ohio River Bridges Project is moving full speed ahead. In the
next year, I look forward to seeing potential designs for these two new bridges.
And in the years ahead, residents can look forward to reduced traffic congestion,
improved safety for motorists and enhanced economic development opportunities in
the region."
In the Sept. 2003 Record of Decision that concluded the environmental study phase,
the Federal Highway Administration approved the recommendation to build two new
bridges and rebuild the Kennedy Interchange. The two bridge option was selected
because it was the only long-term solution to the region’s cross-river mobility
needs.
“With the announcement of today’s selection, we are taking a big step toward the
future economic development of the greater Louisville area,” said Maxwell Clay Bailey,
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary. “The East End Bridge and the Downtown
Bridge will help to address future growth and future opportunities for both Kentucky
and Indiana.”
Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. is the sixth and final design team selected
to design the bridges and bridge approaches in the Ohio River Bridges Project. This
announcement comes two weeks after Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. was selected to design
the new Downtown Bridge.
Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. was selected from the five pre-qualified
firms that submitted proposals to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). The
winning firm has over 200 offices around the world, including one in Louisville.
“I am pleased the final piece of the puzzle will be put in place today. Now that
all of the design teams are on board, Indiana, Kentucky and the Federal Government
can move forward towards buying the land and starting construction on two new bridges,”
said Indiana 9th District Congressman Baron Hill.
The process of designing and selecting a bridge type for each of the Downtown and
East End Bridges is estimated to take one year. During the process, the project
team will hold several public meetings and meet with regional work groups to share
initial concepts and to receive comments.
The public will have several opportunities to comment on the designs at public meetings,
through comment forms or by using an on-line comment form on the project’s Web site,
www.kyinbridges.com. The designers will take into consideration feedback from the
public to ensure that the bridges reflect the communities’ character and desires.
Kentucky 3rd District Congresswoman Anne Northup said, “Today's announcement marks
another large step forward for the Ohio River bridges. I look forward to seeing
the design teams' proposals and am extremely pleased that progress is now moving
rapidly ahead on this project, which is so important to our region.”
The bridge concepts will be reviewed by the Bi-State Management Team – a group of
KYTC and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) officials – and the general
engineering consultant, Community Transportation Solutions. An executive oversight
committee will review several final concepts and then select the winning bridge
design.
The entire design phase of the project, which includes selecting a bridge type and
designing the bridge approaches, is scheduled to be completed in four years. Right-of-way
acquisition is expected to begin in 2006 and be completed in 2008. Construction
is expected to begin in 2007. The schedule is dependent on funding availability.
The total project cost estimate in 2003 dollars is $1.9 billion, with Kentucky paying
$1.3 billion, or about 68%, and Indiana paying $623.4 million, or about 32%. The
costs reflect the amount of construction in each state.