The Ohio River Bridges Project of Kentucky and Indiana

The Project
FAQ

• Schedule & Cost
• Oversight
• History & Documents
• Bridge Type Selection
• FAQ

I. Bridge Type Selection

1. How were the bridge types for the new Downtown Bridge and East End Bridge selected?

   The Bridge Type Selection Process was a four-step, 18-month process that included extensive public outreach including numerous historic preservation and advisory team meetings. At the end of the process, an Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee with bi-state representation from elected officials and citizen representatives, chose the bridge types by taking into consideration information pertaining to historic context, public input and cost and engineering feasibility, among other things.

   Click here to read more about the Bridge Design Process.

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2. How was the public involved during the Bridge Type Selection Process?

   Both bridge design teams worked with stakeholder groups such as Historic Preservation Advisory Teams, Area Advisory Teams and the Regional Advisory Committee who helped engineers narrow down what types of bridges would be forwarded to the Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee. Public feedback was gathered at numerous open houses held throughout the process where electronic polling and comment forms were used. The Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee requested four additional open houses, and opened a public vote to gather feedback on the three finalists for each bridge before making the final bridge type selections. Public feedback was used throughout the Bridge Type Selection Process to develop bridge types that are consistent with the communities' character and location.

   Click here to read more about Public Involvement and the Bridges Project.

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3. What steps comprised the Bridge Type Selection Process?

   The Bridge Type Selection Process consisted of four essential steps: the development of design guidelines, the development of bridge concepts, the development of bridge alternatives, and the selection of a final bridge type for both bridge locations. Stakeholder and public feedback was sought for both bridge types during each step of the Bridge Type Selection Process.

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4. Did the Downtown and East End Bridges follow the same design process?

   Both bridges followed the same process, from the development of design guidelines to the development of concepts, then to bridge type alternatives and finally to the selection of a bridge type. The bridge types were selected in Dec. 2006. There will be two more years of design work before construction can begin. Public involvement was not only key to the entire process of selecting the final bridge types, but will continue to play an important role in finalizing the specific designs for both bridges

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5. Now that the Bridge Type Selection Process is over, what comes next in the project’s design phase?

   The Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee's final decisions allow design engineers to begin design work for the two structures. The two bridge design teams will spend the next two years completing detailed design work, a process that will include further public stakeholder involvement. Stakeholder input will focus on aesthetic features such as lighting, colors and textures.

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II. Design Features

1. Will there be a bike path or a sidewalk on the new bridges?

   Yes. Plans for both new bridges include a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The final design of that path will be influenced by public input. A safety barrier between the motorists and the bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be constructed. The multi-use path for the Downtown Bridge will be on the east (upstream) side; it will be on the west (downstream) side of the East End Bridge.

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2. What is the difference between a round pier and a square pier? Are there differences in cost between the two?

   Bridge piers support the bridge from the foundation footings up to the superstructure. Piers that are near or in the river can have either shape. Round piers are more efficient as water flows past than square or rectangular piers. Pier shapes are also important when considering debris that collects during high-water events. The cost for round or square/rectangular piers would be about the same.

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3. What provisions will be made for clearing accidents and dealing with other emergencies on the new bridges?

   Both bridges will include two, 12-foot-wide shoulders allowing for vehicle removal and other emergency activities in the event of an accident. (The East End Bridge shoulders will taper to 8’ – 9’ at the tower locations.) The shoulders are required by the Bridges Project and were not used to distinguish whether one type of bridge was preferable over another. All safety requirements will be incorporated in the design of the bridges.

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III. Cost & Schedule

1. How soon will construction on the project begin?

   Construction is estimated to begin in 2008 and be completed by 2024. The project schedule is dependent on funding availability. To review the entire schedule, click here.

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2. How much will this project cost?

   The project is estimated to cost $2.46 billion dollars. Kentucky's portion of the cost will be $1.67 billion, or about 68 percent of the overall cost, and Indiana's share will be $790 million, or about 32 percent.

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IV. Public Involvement

1. Who are the Area Advisory Team and the Regional Advisory Committee?

   The role of the Area Advisory Teams (AAT) is to provide feedback about design concepts for the four approaches and the two new bridges. AAT members represent key neighborhoods, government agencies and stakeholder groups in the area. Their presence lends an expertise and a localized neighborhood perspective.

   The role of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) is to provide feedback from a regional perspective about project developments, including design concepts for the four bridge approaches and two new bridges. RAC members represent key government agencies, community foundations and economic, business and environmental groups from both Kentucky and Indiana.

   Click here to see a list of RAC membership.

   Click here to see a list of AAT membership.

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V. Kentucky Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

1. What role does the Kentucky Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program play in the Ohio River Bridges Project?

   The DBE program helps firms interface with prime contractors, local and state agencies, private companies and other small businesses involved in the Ohio River Bridges Project. Extensive networking, education and training opportunities are made available through the Bridges Project to help DBEs grow in their understanding of major industry developments.

   Click here to learn more about the DBE programs for the Bridges Project.

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2. What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?

   A DBE is a minority-owned, woman-owned or small business that has been certified by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet or Indiana Department of Transportation in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program regulations. These regulations require that a DBE initiative be included in the Ohio River Bridges Project. These regulations can be found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 26 (www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/49cfr26_04.html).

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3. How does the DBE Program interface with the Bridges Project?

   The Kentucky DBE Program (click for more information) is comprised of a program manager and four section coordinators. Each coordinator is assigned to one of the four design sections overseen by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and works closely with the section design managers.

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4. How does the Kentucky DBE Program’s role on the Bridges Project benefit the community/local economy?

   The Kentucky Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program (click for more information) is dedicated to helping businesses take advantage of the many workplace mentoring and employment opportunities available through the Ohio River Bridges Project. The program works to help DBEs become more competitive in a myriad of consulting and construction activities. The program also supports the Kentucky Engineering Scholars Program, which encourages middle school, high school and college students to pursue careers in civil engineering.

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5. How does the Kentucky DBE Program help all companies with an interest in the Bridges Project?

   The DBE Program can help contractors on the Bridges Project locate DBE-certified sub-contractors. The Kentucky DBE database (click for more information), which can be accessed via the project Web site, contains all DBE companies certified in Kentucky.

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VI. Historic & Environmental Preservation

1. Will an effort be made to maintain the environmental and historical integrity of the areas affected?

   Yes. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Ohio River Bridges Project and the FHWA stipulates that the bridges and other project features be designed with sensitivity to aesthetic values, historic cultural landscapes and historic context. The Bridges Project utilizes the services of historic preservation specialists, archaeologists and others with experience in areas related to historic and environmental preservation.

   The MOA requires the preparation of Historic Preservation Plans (HPP) for historic properties and districts, which provide a context for mitigating external impacts.

   For more detail on the historic mitigation and environmental preservation work on the Project, click here.

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2. What is an Historic Preservation Plan?

   An HPP is a document that provides a context within which specific environmental and historic mitigation measures, as set forth in the MOA, can be implemented. Each HPP is prepared by a qualified consultant specializing in preservation planning, with the approval of the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office, the Bi-State Historic Consultation Team and the Bi-State Management Team.

   HPPs consider land use, transportation patterns and other urban/suburban-related planning issues and are developed in consultation with owners of the historic properties and/or related neighborhoods. HPPs will be developed for the following historic properties:

   Indiana - Old Jeffersonville Historic District; Township of Utica Historic Lime Industry; Swartz Farm Rural Historic District

   Kentucky - Butchertown Historic District; Phoenix Hill Historic District; Country Estates of River Road/River Road Corridor

   click here to learn more about Historic Preservation Plans and the Bridges Project.

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VII. Project History

1. Why not just build a new downtown bridge?

   After a detailed analysis that included extensive public outreach and involvement, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concluded in the 2003 Record of Decision that the two-bridge option was needed to address the project's purpose and need.

   Neither alone solves the region's long-term cross-river transportation needs. Both an East End Bridge and new Downtown Bridge are needed to adequately relieve traffic congestion and address safety issues. Click here to read more about the Environmental Impact Statement phase that led to this determination.

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