KENNEDY INTERCHANGE APPROACH DESIGN TEAM REVIEWS PROGRESS, NEXT STEPS AT AAT MEETING
November 2006 – Engineers from the Ohio River Bridges Project’s largest design section have compiled data that could significantly impact design plans for the reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange. The Kennedy Interchange Approach design team reported these findings to members of its Area Advisory Team (AAT) recently at the Frazier International History Museum. Mellwood-Story Avenue, Waterfront Park, noise studies and the I-65 accelerated construction section were key topics at the Oct. 26 meeting.
Mellwood – Story Avenue -
Engineers from Kentucky Transportation Associates (KTA), the engineering consortium managing the Kennedy Interchange redesign, reported on the Mellwood-Story Avenue study. It has been determined that two-way traffic is not viable unless the I-64 interchange is reconstructed as a single interchange at Mellwood Avenue and Mellwood is improved. It was also reported that additional preliminary engineering and environmental analysis would be required to move the project forward. The Bi-State Management Team (BSMT) will weigh the study’s findings and make a decision in 2007 on the direction this aspect of the Kennedy Interchange design section will take.
Waterfront Park Impact Reduction --
KTA also reviewed the Waterfront Park impact reduction study, Phase I of which entailed developing alternatives that reduce the width of the roadway over the Great Lawn. KTA is evaluating structural options that will minimize the number of piers in the Great Lawn. In Phase II, bridge types for I-64 as it traverses the Great Lawn as will the number of piers that will be needed to support those structures. The new design could result in a new bridge 8 to 10 feet higher than the existing bridge over Waterfront Park.
Noise studies --
KTA has conducted a study of the entire perimeter of the interchange and submitted two reports to the Bi-State Management Team. The results of the studies suggest a single location may warrant the implementation of a noise barrier. The BSMT will have the final decision as to whether noise walls are warranted, and on what types will be constructed. The community will have the opportunity to comment on whether or not the walls are desirable, as well as the wall design if the locations are pursued further.
I-65 AcceleratIed Construction Section --
Advance construction is planned for a section of I-65 from north of Broadway to south of Liberty Street. This advance work was initiated due to maintenance concerns in the area (it has been determined that overpasses in the area are in need of repair). KTA reported that it is likely to go to construction in 2007.
Witherspoon/Geiger Street Extension –
The Immediate Needs Report and draft Historic Preservation Plan (HPP) for Butchertown recommended that the Witherspoon extension be moved south from the location depicted in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to a corridor that parallels the existing street grid and follows the last remnant of Geiger Street. KTA has initiated a study to consider the impacts associated with design alternatives for the proposed Witherspoon/Geiger Street extension in both the FEIS- and HPP-proposed locations. Each alternative will include a four-lane street with sidewalks. Environmental and historic impacts will be submitted to the BSMT for consideration.
Bikeways and Streetscapes --
It was reported that the bikeway study, which was advanced early in the project, has been on hold for several months awaiting final decision on unresolved issues at Mellwood and Story Avenues, and at the proposed Witherspoon/Geiger Street extension.
Landscaping –
Draft landscaping guidelines and concepts have been developed to guide the landscape design process. The goals include integrating the interchange with the local setting while reducing the need for roadside maintenance. The preliminary landscaping concepts call for the use of native, “pioneer” plans and divide the interchange into four areas based on their current characteristics.
Streetscaping --
Plans to implement streetscape improvements for the entire Butchertown Historic District and along Main and Market Streets in the vicinity of I-65 for Phoenix Hill will be developed in future project phases. KTA reported that it has not yet begun that process.