Not everyone is sold on the need for the $4.1 billion, two-bridge Ohio River Bridges Project.
Kentucky officials say a traffic study that involves one bridge could be released in the coming months.
A Louisville-based group, called 8664, is continuing to pursue a one-bridge option.
Under its plan, Interstate 64 would be removed from downtown Louisville and re-aligned onto what is now Interstate 265 in Indiana.
The slang “86” means to eliminate.
The plan would likely cost much less because only one bridge would be constructed. I-64, which already crosses into Indiana near New Albany, would cross into Indiana on the east side of Metro Louisville rather than the west.
The portion of I-64 that currently runs from the east end of Louisville into downtown would be replaced with a surface-level parkway.
There has been a draft of the plan put together by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, but it has not been made available to the public, said Chuck Wolfe, cabinet spokesperson.
“When we get the final copy, we plan to make it available to the public,” he said.
When the administration of Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear took office in January, the state highway engineer’s office contracted a private firm — Wilbur Smith Associates — to look at the 8664 concept, Wolfe explained.
However, just before it was completed, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Joe Prather halted the study in order to not complicate a debate in the state Legislature about the use of tolls to build the two-bridge project, Wolfe said.
Prather later decided to have the study completed last August.
“It seems to have taken longer than people expected.”
Joe Burgan, spokesperson for 8664, said an open records request for the study so far has yielded no results.
Wolfe could not estimate when the study would be made available, noting that there was no deadline on it.
Clark County
8664 still waiting on Ky. traffic study for Ohio Bridges
Kentucky officials examining group’s one-bridge option
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- News and Tribune briefs for May 29, 2012
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Steamboat Museum will dedicate Pilothouse at June 9 ceremony
The bell from the steamboat Mississippi Queen will also be dedicated at this time.
Continued ...
The Mississippi Queen was built at JeffBoat in 1976 and scrapped in 2011. -
Lugar says he won’t campaign for Mourdock
Lugar issued a statement chastising Mourdock for his unwillingness to compromise after the tea party favorite soundly beat him in the May 8 primary election.
Continued ... -
Grants available to downtown Jeffersonville residents
“The goal of this program is to strengthen the historic core of our community and to promote ongoing economic development in Jeffersonville,” said Jay Ellis, executive director of Jeffersonville Main Street Inc.
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SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
- May 26, 2012
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THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
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Former employee sues Jeffersonville
The suit references a city policy, in which employees are supposed to receive a $100 stipend for each day they’re on call.
Continued ... - May 25, 2012
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Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
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Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
Continued ...
