Ohio River Bridges: Library

Major Projects
Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project
Current: Ohio River Bridges: Library

African American Heritage Interpretive Plan

Lesson Plans: Each unit uses class discussion and a power point presentation to explore one or more of the Big Ideas in Social Studies through a case study of the East End Bridge Project north of Louisville and the story of Harrods Creek, a historically African American community. Students will use analytical skills in analyzing primary and secondary resources (documents, maps, photographs or art). Optional follow-up activities allow students to apply the essential questions of each unit to their own community and include the opportunity to conduct short research projects, write opinion pieces and/or report on a topic to present an opinion. All activities are aligned to the Kentucky Core Academic Standards in Social Studies, Common Core Standards in English Language Arts, and C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Council for the Social Studies.Each folder includes a file titled “Read Me First …” that provides an overview of the lesson and explains the use of the various handouts and other supplementary materials in the folder.

An Education for Our Children: 5th Grade Cultures and Societies
For the Common Good: 5th Grade Government, Civics
How Geography Can Shape History: 4th Grade Geography
Kentucky Government In Action: 4th Grade Government, Civics
Transportation and Social Justice: 8th Grade Government, Civics

Each of these links contains a number of files that will serve as a resource to educators in crafting their lesson plans.

Bi-State Historic Consultation Team

The Bi-State Historic Consultation Team (BSHCT) advised Ohio River Bridges Project officials on design and construction issues having to do with historic preservation commitments outlined in the Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The BSHCT included representatives from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Kentucky and Indiana State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO).

The BSHCT considered recommendations from the Indiana (IHPAT) and Kentucky Historic Preservation Advisory Teams (KHPAT), and advised the Bi-State Management Team (BSMT) on historic mitigation methods, systems and plans.

Bi-State Historic Consultation Team Members

Amanda Abner – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Craig Potts – Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office
John Carr – Indiana Department of Natural Resources/State Historic Preservation Office
Mary Kennedy – Indiana Department of Transportation
Jeff Schmidt – Federal Highway Administration

Bridge Type Selection

The Bridge Type Selection process concluded in Dec. 2006 with the Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee’s selection of the Three-Tower Cable-Stayed bridge type for the Downtown Bridge and the Median-Tower, Cable-Stayed Center Cable bridge type for the East End Bridge. The selection ended an 18-month process that included cost and preliminary engineering analysis of several bridge type alternatives for both bridge locations and considerable public input.

Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee: The Executive Bridge Type Selection Committee made the final decision on which bridge types were selected for the Downtown and East End Bridges. The committee selected the Three-Tower Cable-Stayed bridge type for the Downtown Bridge and the Median-Tower Cable-Stayed Center Cable bridge type for the East End Bridge. The 14-member committee consisted of both elected officials and citizen representatives from Kentucky and Indiana.
Regional Advisory Committee: The RAC is a bi-state team represented by members of government, civic and community groups. Research and interviews were conducted to update stakeholder lists and identify appropriate representatives for the RAC.

Construction Guides

Development Agreements

Formal agreements to govern the construction, financing and long-term management of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project have been approved by both Kentucky and Indiana. The agreements spell out rights and responsibilities for each state on construction and for long-term operation including: Budget and financing, Environmental and workforce commitments, Operations and maintenance and Tolling collection and enforcement.

Other documents can be found on the Tolling Body and Joint Board Web page

Engineering Information

The Project’s engineering information is available for viewing by industry professionals. Plans provided on this site are for information only.

Environmental Justice

This report has been prepared by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) in fulfillment of certain requirements in the Revised Record of Decision (RROD) for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges (LSIORB) Project (the Project) regarding the effects of tolling on low-income and minority populations, also known as environmental justice (EJ) populations. The intent of this report is to document KYTC and INDOT’s consideration of potential tolling mitigation strategies and document the basis for KYTC and INDOT’s decisions about which strategies to include in the Tolling Mitigation Plan. The report and its appendices can be downloaded by clicking on the links below:

Appendix A – Tolling Mitigation Plan
Appendix B – CAI, Admin Cost Estimates
Appendix C – SDG, Toll Discount Analysis
Appendix D – Resolution of Tolling Body (TB-2013-2)
Appendix E – TOC, Public Input Survey Reports
Appendix E1 – Impacts on EJ Populations (IQS)
Appendix E2 – Public Outreach & Comments
Appendix E3 – EJ Community Survey (IQS)
Appendix E4 – EJ Community Leader Survey (IQS)
Appendix E5 – Comparison Surveys (IQS & QK4)
Appendix F1-F2 – Coordination with TARC
EJ Assessment Plan
FHWA Concurrence Letter
News Release (5/7/2015)

Environmental Impact Statement

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

EIS Documents

Appendix A
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Cover Page
Glossary
Index
List of Abbreviations
Public Hearing Video
Summary
Table of Contents

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.)

Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement – April 2012
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement – November 2011
- Summary
- Full Document (55 KB)
- Appendix Folder
FHWA SDEIS Signature & Cover Page – November 2011
Notice of Intent to Prepare SEIS – February 2011
Conflict of Interest Q&A – April 2011 (406 K)
Letters to and from FHWA on proceeding during SEIS – March 2011 (308 K)
Presentation Boards Used at Public Hearings (5 MB) – December 2011
Slide Show Comparing 2003 EIS Alternative with 2011 SDEIS Modified Alternative
Settlement Agreement with the National Trust, River Fields, KYTC and INDOT – January 2013
Floodplain Consideration Re-evaluation – April 2013

Below are additional reports prepared after approval of the SEIS:

Enhanced Bus Service MOA – May 2013
Preconstruction Traffic Data Report — December 2013
Postconstruction Traffic Data Report — August 2018
Clark Memorial Bridge Treatment Plan — April 2014

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 was updated in December 2010, March 2012, July 2012, December 2013, February 2014, September 2014 and September 2015.

Historic & Environmental

The Ohio River Bridges Project is governed by a detailed list of environmental and historic mitigation obligations that have been carefully researched and are being addressed at each stage of the project. The sum total of these efforts results in the design and construction of each of the six sections of the Ohio River Bridges Project, including measures to protect and preserve historic, cultural and environmental resources.

The specific measures the Project addresses were identified in the Environmental Impact Statement phase of the project and recorded in three project documents – the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), the Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and its parent document, the Record of Decision (ROD).

The Memorandum Of Agreement: The Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) governs the manner in which the Bridges Project interacts with historic, environmental, social and cultural features of the project area. The Bridges 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 MOA.The MOA governs the manner in which the Bridges Project interacts with historic, environmental, social and cultural features that characterize the project area. It addresses public involvement, noise abatement, roadway lighting, signage, blasting and vibration and many other subjects – including historic preservation. The project’s MOA calls for the development of seven Historic Preservation Plans (HPPs), four in Indiana (Old Jeffersonville Historic District, Swartz Farm Rural Historic District, Township of Utica Historic Lime Industry, No HPP will be required for the Smith Farm property because it was not donated.) and three in Kentucky (Butchertown Historic District, Phoenix Hill Historic District, Country Estates of River Road Historic District/River Road Corridor-This area includes historic properties of the River Road Corridor.)The HPPs are intended to be comprehensive, long-range plans that guide the section design teams. (They may include some mitigation measures that will be funded by the Bridges Project.) The HPPs provide a context that informs the implementation of specific mitigation measures as set forth in the MOA. Other measures may be implemented later; some may be put into effect separate from the project. The HPPs will also identify other possible sources of funding for mitigation activities.
Historic Preservation Advisory Teams: (HPATs) ensured the Project’s designs respected the historic and environmental resources of the project area.
Bi-State Historic Consultation Team: The Bi-State Historic Consultation Team (BSHCT) advised Project officials on design and construction issues having to do with historic preservation commitments outlined in the MOA.
Social/Natural Mitigation: The Project’s environmental mitigation measures focus on avoiding impacts to endangered species and preserving valuable environmental resources within its footprint.
PM 2.5 Hotspot Analysis:The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges (LSIORB) Project is located within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s designated Louisville, KY-IN region PM2.5 non-attainment area. As such, the project is required to meet Transportation Conformity Rule requirements found in 40 CFR Part 93. The Transportation Conformity Rule requires a hotspot analysis as part of the project-level conformity in PM2.5 non-attainment areas for certain projects. The January 8, 2007 document titled “Final PM2.5 Project-Level Conformity Analysis for the Ohio River Bridges Project in Louisville, Kentucky” addresses the new project-level transportation conformity requirements for the LSIORB project. This report was made available to the public for review and comment for a period of 15 days, between November 21, 2006 and December 6, 2006. On January 4, 2007, the Federal Highway Administration made an air quality particulate matter (PM2.5) conformity determination that the LSIORB project met the requirements of 40 CFR 93.
The PM2.5 project-level analysis conducted for the LSIORB project found that by meeting the requirements of 40 CFR Part 93, that the project will not: cause or contribute to any new violation of the PM2.5 standard, increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of the PM2.5 standard or delay timely attainment of the PM2.5 standard.

Historic Preservation Advisory Teams

Historic Preservation Advisory Teams (HPATs), which were established by the Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), worked closely with designers and project officials to ensure that historic buildings, features and the historic character of affected areas were preserved.

Meeting Summaries for HPATs and Area Advisory Teams.

Historic Preservation and Enhancement Fund

As stipulated in the Settlement Agreement (SA), a Historic Preservation and Enhancement Fund (HPEF) has been established. The purpose of the HPEF is to provide grants to eligible applicants to a carry out eligible projects within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the Project. The Indiana SHPO and Kentucky SHPO were provided their respective share of $1,700,000.00 in state funds to the HPEF on May 3, 2013. Eligible applicants for the HPEF include local governments, other local public authorities and Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. The first grant round would be $500,000.00 in each state; in Kentucky, the following first grant round projects are listed in Stipulation II.B.2 of the SA.

Streetscape improvements in the Butchertown Historic District (in addition to the streetscape improvements for East Main Street required in the First Amended Memorandum of Agreement)
Rehabilitation of and placement of a preservation easement on the Jefferson Jacob School
Acquisition and rehabilitation of, and/or placement of a preservation easement on the Merriwether House
Acquisition and rehabilitation of, and/or placement of a preservation easement on the former Harrods Creek Post Office

The selection of projects in the first round will target these priority projects. The application that follows should be used to apply for any of these first grant round projects. The deadline for the receipt of applications by the Kentucky SHPO is January 15, 2014.

Historic Preservation Plans & Easements

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.

National Registry for Historic Places Nominations

Noise Study & Sound Barrier Information

East End Crossing:

Final Noise Barrier & Noise Attenuation Re-Evaluation for Section 6 (Southern Indiana, East End)
FHWA Highway Traffic Noise – Analysis & Abatement Guidance
Final Noise Barrier & Noise Attenuation Re-Evaluation for Section 4 (Kentucky Approach)
Final Noise Barrier & Noise Attenuation Evaluation for Spring Farm Pointe in Section 4 (Kentucky Approach)
INDOT Noise Policy
KYTC Noise Policy
Spring Pointe Farm Noise Determination Letter

Downtown Crossing:

Oversight

The Bridges Project is managed by officials from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). A Bi-State Management Team of these officials oversees work completed by the general engineering consultant, Community Transportation Solutions (CTS).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also reviews the work of CTS and the Bi-State Management Team.

CTS, the general engineering consultant, is a team of consultants selected by the two states to oversee the design work, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, public involvement and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

Project Staff Listing:

Bi-State Management Team
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC): Rob Harris, Project Manager
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): Ron Heustis, Project Manager
Community Transportation Solutions
General Engineering Consultants (CTS-GEC): John Sacksteder, Project Manager & Jim Hilton, Deputy Project Manager

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.

Project Management Plan – September 2016
Project Management Plan – September 2015
Project Management Plan – September 2014
Project Management Plan – November 2013
Project Management Plan – July 2012

Public Meetings

With construction underway, public meetings are held on occasion to provide updates on progress.

Downtown Crossing Open House, General Update (November 5, 2014)
Downtown Crossing Open House, General Update (March 27, 2014)
Downtown Crossing Open House, General Update (October 24, 2013)
Downtown Crossing Open House, General Update (May 8, 2013)
East End Crossing Community Meeting, Construction & Blasting Impacts (April 2013)
East End Crossing Community Meeting, Final Aesthetics (April 2013, Part 1)
East End Crossing Community Meeting, Final Aesthetics (April 2013, Part 2)
East End Crossing Community Meeting (March 2013)

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.

2012 First Amended 106 Memorandum of Agreements (MOA)
2012 Revised Record of Decision (2.6 MB)
2012 Revised Record of Decision Appendices (5.2 MB)
2003 Record of Decision (1.9 MB)
2003 Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (1.5MB)
EPA Comment Letter on FEIS (700KB)
FHWA-FTA Conformity Finding and STIP Amendment Approval (4.5MB)
Selected Alternative (1.1MB)
SHPO Comments on FHWA 4(f) Evaluation (2.3MB)
Response to FEIS/Section 4(f) Evaluation Comments (510KB)

Right-of-Way

Right-of-Way: The footprint of the Ohio River Bridges Project crosses more than 200 privately or commercially owned pieces of land. In some cases only part of a property will be acquired, in others the entire property will be taken.

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).

First Amended 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) – 2012
Section 106 MOA letter from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – April 2012
Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (1.5MB) – September 2003

Social/Natural Mitigation

Social/Natural Mitigation: The Ohio River Bridges Project is required to minimize the project’s impact on the region’s historic and environmental resources. The Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which is an attachment to the Record of Decision and a document prepared through careful research and planning, guides archaeologists, preservation and project officials as they work to ensure the Bridges Project follows preservation requirements.

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

Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement – April 2012
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement – November 2011
- Summary
- Full Document (55 KB)
- Appendix Folder
FHWA SDEIS Signature & Cover Page (November 2011)
Notice of Intent to Prepare SEIS (February 2011)
FHWA SDEIS Signature & Cover Page (November 2011)
Notice of Intent to Prepare SEIS (February 2011)
Conflict of Interest Q&A (April 2011, 406 K)
Letters to and from FHWA on proceeding during SEIS (March 2011, 308 K)
Presentation Boards Used at Public Hearings (December 2011, 5 MB)
Slide Show Comparing 2003 EIS Alternative with 2011 SDEIS Modified Alternative
Settlement Agreement with the National Trust, River Fields, KYTC and INDOT (January 2013)
Floodplain Consideration Re-evaluation (April 2013)

Below are additional reports prepared after approval of the SEIS:

Enhanced Bus Service MOA (May 2013)
Preconstruction Traffic Data Report (December 2013)
Clark Memorial Bridge Treatment Plan (April 2014)

SMART GROWTH CONFERENCE

In September 2006, the Bridges Project sponsored a Smart Growth Conference to offer educational opportunities and promote discussion on issues related to regional growth, transportation and historic preservation. Find more information about the conference including speakers, dates and times.

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.

Section 129 Tolling Agreement