Geotechnical survey work planned for section of I-65 in downtown Louisville
Crews to Conduct Drilling Tests; Motorists Alerted for Temporary Roadway Changes
Louisville, KY – (October 7, 2005) – Project crew members will conduct geotechnical
survey work along a stretch of I-65 between East Gray Street and Liberty Street
as part of the plan to rebuild the Kennedy Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) for
the Ohio River Bridges Project. Crews will be drilling in the designated area starting
October 10 and are scheduled to conduct work in the area for approximately five
weeks.
Project managers are taking measures to limit traffic delays, with some work taking
place in median areas at ramp exits, out of the way of motorists. In addition, the
timing of the work will usually coincide with decreased traffic volumes to minimize
inconveniences to road travelers. Some work may be conducted during peak traffic
hours due to the time-sensitive nature of the surveying process. Project managers
predict there will be shoulder closings to enable the crews to complete the work.
This is the initial phase of geotechnical and archeological investigation for the
Downtown Bridge section. Additional geotechnical work will be conducted in the coming
months north of Liberty Street on I-65 and I-71 in the project vicinity.
The drilling process will enable project engineers to obtain soil samples for testing
to determine general engineering characteristics such as soil classifications and
moisture contents. The testing will also be utilized for the design of bridge and
retaining wall foundations within the proposed improvements.
There will be 25-35 borings, or holes, approximately six to eight inches in width.
A few of the borings will drill to the rock line, at depths up to 110 feet. Other
borings will sample the upper soil layers, approximately within 25 feet of the surface
or more. Once data is collected, the holes will be refilled with some of the original
soil and ground cuttings, and new ground and sand.
The firm Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott and May Engineers, Inc of Lexington will be conducting
the survey work with a number of large yellow and white drill rigs – which can be
identified on the roadside with vertically protracted drill mechanisms over the
area of work. Motorists will be alerted of the work by standard orange traffic cones,
signage and possibly crew personnel managing traffic, if necessary. Drivers are
advised to be prepared for changes in traffic patterns and to watch for road crews
and machinery.
An archeological survey team will work in tandem with geotechnical crews to collect
archeological data to assess the possible existence of deeply buried archeological
sites within the project area. Archeology teams will work in the same area gathering
cultural materials which will then be bagged and submitted for cleaning, testing,
analysis, cataloguing, and eventually photographing. On some occasions, the archeology
teams will operate independently of the drill crews. It is predicted that a small
sample (200-300) of historic artifacts will be collected during the survey period.
The results will be documented and provided in a detailed written report to be filed
and reviewed as part of the ongoing study of the area.
The Kennedy Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) Approach is part of the Louisville-Southern
Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project (LSIORBP). The Ohio River Bridges Project addresses
the long-term, cross-river transportation needs in the Louisville-Southern Indiana
region. The Federal Highway Administration, Indiana Department of Transportation
and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet agreed that the only feasible way to meet cross-river
transportation needs was to construct two new bridges and rebuild the Kennedy Interchange.
Of a variety of options studied, the alternative selected met transportation needs
with the least amount of impact on environmental resources and communities. The
Bridges Project, currently in the design phase, is tentatively scheduled for completion
in 2020.