The Project
History and Documents
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In Sept. 2003, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) officially 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.
The ROD was the final step in the Project's environmental review process. It represents FHWA's final decision about where and what to build, based upon recommendations from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Several alternatives were studied to improve cross-river mobility. The option selected addresses transportation needs with the least amount of impact to the region’s environmental resources and communities.
The decision was based on a thorough review that considered comments from thousands
of area residents and findings from scientific analyses detailing the impacts of
options on a variety of environmental resources including communities. In late 2007,
the project released its financial plan, available as a PDF download in the right hand
column of this page.
The Selected Alternative
- Downtown Bridge: Immediately east of the Kennedy Bridge
- East End Bridge: Connecting the Gene Snyder Freeway (KY 841) to the Lee Hamilton Highway (IN 265)
- Kennedy Interchange (Spaghetti Junction): Rebuild to the south
The Environmental Review
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was published in Nov. 2001 analyzing nine specific bridge locations in one- and two-bridge combinations. Public hearings were held in Indiana and Kentucky, and more than 5,000 comments were received on the DEIS.
A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in April 2003. This document identified the preferred alternative, responded to comments on the DEIS, and included a plan to minimize impacts to historic properties and other resources. The commitments are legally binding. They were developed in consultation with community representatives who will stay involved and monitor work to help ensure commitments are fulfilled.