The Ohio River Bridges project is a joint effort between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to address long-term transportation needs in the Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana region.
Burgess & Niple (B&N) was selected by INDOT to serve as the prime consultant for the portion of the project known as the East End Indiana Approach (or Section 6). This $150 million project included a four-lane, five-mile extension of State Route (SR) 265 from its current end point at SR 62 to the Ohio River near Utica, Indiana. The road extension leads up to a new Ohio River bridge that will connect the Kentucky and Indiana sections of I-265.
B&N’s scope of work also included:
- Route survey
- Approach structure design
- A new traditional diamond interchange
- Redesign of an existing interchange at SR 265, SR 62 and Port Road
- Design of 19 new bridge structures and rehabilitation of six bridges
- Land acquisition (B&N secured 20 parcels of land for the project)
- Environmental coordination and permitting
- Stream and wetland mitigation plans
Value Engineering
B&N developed and evaluated 19 alternatives as part of the value engineering process for an interchange that converges at SR 265, SR 62 and Port Road. Each alternative was assessed for potential for right-of-way impacts, safety, operational efficiency, constructability, maintenance of traffic (MOT) and cost. A VISSIM traffic simulation model was used to help determine the impact on the operation of an at-grade railroad crossing located just south of the interchange. It also helped determine if the preferred alternative could manage projected traffic volumes.
Environmental Considerations
As a part of the design process, B&N adhered to commitments set forth in the Record of Decision generated as a result of the Environmental Impact Statement completed for the project. This included properties, wetland delineation and mitigation, stream mitigation, water way permitting, wildlife crossings, and noise mitigation in park and residential areas.
B&N also provided additional environmental coordination with INDOT to complete wetland delineation work, stream assessment and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District in preparation for the initiation of Clean Water Act permitting activities and mitigation development.
Through B&N’s value engineering, the project construction cost was reduced by over $66 million. Recommendations that resulted in cost savings included redesigning the SR 265/SR 62/Port Road interchange, revising the profile and reducing right-of-way.