Construction Closes Several Lanes of Traffic on Bridge Linking Indiana and Louisville, Ky.

By Kari Travis, Special to Transport Topics

This story appears in the July 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

Construction on the Interstate 65 John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge connecting southern Indiana and Louisville, Ky., has shut down several traffic lanes in each direction.

The Ohio River crossing supports nearly 136,000 vehicles per day, with an estimated 17,500 of them commercial trucks. The bridge, which has four northbound lanes but only three southbound lanes, will be reduced to two lanes in both directions through at least the end of July, said Andrea Clifford, a spokeswoman with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Repairs to the bridge will include a new deck surface, expansion joint replacements, concrete patches and waterproof asphalt driving surface.

“For many months, we have fielded complaints about the rough, pitted surface of the Kennedy Bridge,” Matt Bullock, the engineer assigned to the project, said in a statement. “These repairs were originally scheduled for this past spring, but the emergency closure of the I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge forced us to reschedule.”

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Transport Minister discusses Champlain Bridge replacement with municipal leaders

MONTREAL, Que. -- Just weeks after announcing funding for a new crossing across the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, which would replace the crumbling Champlain Bridge, the feds met with municipal leaders to collect input into the new bridge.

Federal Transport Minister Denis Lebel met with the mayors of Montreal, Longueuil and Brossard to discuss the new bridge, with items including tolling and public transport on the agenda.

"The views of the Montreal, Longueuil and Brossard mayors are essential to a good planning process for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence," said Lebel. "That is why I am listening to their opinions. The efficiency of this corridor for drivers, public transit users and truckers contributes to the quality of life of residents and workers of greater Montreal, and is a vital part of the economy of the region and the country as a whole."

The six-lane Champlain Bridge is the busiest vehicular bridge in Canada, with more than 60 million vehicles and $20 billion in trade crossing the bridge every year. It serves as an essential trade corridor for the regional economy with spinoff benefits to the national economy and is a key part of Canada's "gateway strategies," according to the federal government.

Preliminary work on a new crossing is now underway and meetings with stakeholders will continue, the feds announced.

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Talks underway for new bridge over St. Lawrence

MONTREAL, Que. -- Consultations on the requirements for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence have formally begun. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, met with economic and business leaders in the Montreal region to hear their views on Monday.

The Minister says he held "productive" discussions the group of industry representatives, listening to their views on the use of tolls and consulted with them about the business community's current and future needs from this crossing.

"Discussions with key stakeholders are essential to the planning process for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence," said Minister Lebel. "The views of private-sector representatives help ensure this major corridor will serve all businesses - small, medium and large. Our government remains focused on long-term economic growth and job creation, and the smooth flow of goods and people over the St. Lawrence River is a vital part of the economy of the region and the country as a whole."

Officials say preliminary work on the new bridge over the St. Lawrence is progressing. Over the coming months, the federal government will continue to meet with key partners, including provincial and municipal representatives.

On Oct. 5, Minister Lebel announced that the Government of Canada will proceed with a new crossing to replace the existing Champlain Bridge. The six-lane Champlain Bridge is the busiest vehicular bridge in Canada. An estimated 11 million public transit commuters, 60 million vehicles and $20 billion in international trade cross it annually.

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