Project Management Plan
A Project Management Plan, which FHWA requires for “major projects” such as the Bridges Project, defines the structure and processes that will ensure control of the scope, budget, schedule and quality of the project. It also outlines approaches to contract management, reporting, quality assurance, safety, traffic management, communications and other essential project elements.
Tolling Agreement
A Tolling Agreement among the FHWA and the states’ transportation agencies and financing agencies, which authorizes tolling and outlines certain requirements that Kentucky and Indiana will need to meet in using tolls to help pay for the new and improved river crossings.
The Record of Decision
In June 2012, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a revised Record of Decision (ROD) approving the construction of two new Ohio River bridges linking Louisville and Southern Indiana, and reconstructing the Kennedy Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) where I- 65, I-71 and I-64 converge near downtown Louisville.
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
The Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) for the Louisville-Southern
Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project was approved by the Federal Highway Administration,
the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation
on April 20, 2012. The effort was launched as a result of significant cost-saving
proposals, as well as plans to utilize tolling to help meet revenue shortfalls.
The cost-saving proposals approved in the SFEIS include:
- Reconstructing the Kennedy Interchange in its current location
- Removing the pedestrian/bicycle lane from the Downtown Bridge
- Reducing the lanes on the East End portion of the project
- Eliminating flyover ramps plus other design changes on the Indiana interstate approach
to the newly expanded I-65 bridges
Federal approval of a revised Record of Decision was received in June, 2012, which allows Indiana and Kentucky to invest Federal funds in the selected alternatives for the project. (See Record of Decision section above for more information.)
Project Financial Plan
The project released its Initial Financial Plan in January 2008 to provide detailed cost estimates for completing the Ohio River Bridges Project. The financial plan has been updated in December 2010, March 2012 and August 2012.
The Environmental Review
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was published in Nov. 2001 analyzing nine
specific bridge locations in one- and two-bridge combinations. Public hearings were
held in Indiana and Kentucky, and more than 5,000 comments were received on the
DEIS.
A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in April 2003. This document
identified the preferred alternative, responded to comments on the DEIS and included
a plan to minimize impacts to historic properties and other resources.
Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 contains a section that requires
federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects on properties listed
or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is called
"Section 106."
The project's potential effect on historic properties and districts was evaluated
during the environmental phase and resulted in the development of mitigation measures,
which are spelled out in the project's Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Historic Preservation Plans
Several Historic Preservation Plans have been developed or are under development
as part of the project's Memorandum of Agreement.
MOA Progress Reports
The progress report, issued every six months, identifies the status of activities for each stipulation outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and of associated documents and products, such as HPPs, treatment plans, late discoveries, and acquisition and preservation of historic properties.