The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet last week issued the final guidelines that three teams will use to develop proposals for building the state’s half of the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project.
The request for proposals outlines the requirements for building a new downtown Interstate 65 bridge for northbound traffic, an overhaul of the Kennedy Bridge for southbound traffic, reconfiguration of the downtown Louisville interchange and new interstate connections in southern Indiana. The state has already qualified three teams interested in the project.
“We are getting the very best thinking from some of the nation’s best engineering, design and construction teams,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock. “We believe this process will produce a winning proposal that will reduce costs, speed construction and give motorists a safer, stronger transportation system in the downtown Louisville area.”
Kentucky is using a traditional design-build approach to build its project, and plans to pay for the estimated $1.3 billion cost with toll revenue and grant anticipation revenue vehicle bonds, state funds and potentially a low-interest federal loan. The project has also received earmarks from the federal budget.
Teams responding to the RFP will be required to submit technical proposals by Oct. 1. Cost-requirement proposals are due Nov. 15. The state expects to award a contract before the year ends.
Indiana is building the other half of using a public-private partnership, and also released its RFP last week.
The two states began seeking proposals last week just days after federal transportation authorities approved the financing, management and tolling plans for the project, which includes placing tolls on existing interstates
