New bridges across the Ohio River will change Kentuckiana traffic patterns

One of the new bridges will be right next to the existing Kentucky Bridge that carries I-65 traffic over the Ohio River.

By Genevieve Mills–

The new bridges project that people have been talking about for years has finally officially begun. A ceremony for the groundbreaking of the first construction phase took place on August 30th. The first part of this project is building a bridge in the East End of Louisville. The first construction process is extending Old Salem Road in Indiana all the way to the river, where the bridge will be built and connect to I-265 in Louisville. Officials say this bridge should be finished by 2017.

A second bridge will be built much closer to the downtown Louisville area. Next to the Kennedy Bridge, with ramps connecting it to I-65, I-64 and I-71, the bridge will be built and is scheduled to be finished in 2018. This bridge will greatly reduce traffic in the downtown area and for those who commute across the Ohio River. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear stated that the project will “keep the traffic flowing and our region growing with new jobs, new businesses and new opportunities.” Construction on both bridges should begin in 2013.

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Photo courtesy KYBRIDGES.COM