Bridges Project Clears Federal Hurdle

The start of construction on the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project is inching closer. The federal government has approved the latest environmental impact statement for the project. The study was ordered after the mayor of Louisville and the governors of Kentucky and Indiana proposed shrinking the project to save $1.6 billion.The governors also agreed to split responsibilities for the project between the states. Indiana will build a bridge in eastern Jefferson County. Kentucky will build a downtown bridge and reconfigure Spaghetti Junction.Just a few things need to happen for the now $2.6 billion bridges project to move forward. First is federal approval of the record of decision. Third District Congressman John Yarmuth expects that to come this summer.The next is the awarding of a bid for a firm to design and build the bridges. In Kentucky, three firms will be asked to bid soon, and a winner is likely to be chosen in the fall.