Bridge on Cusp of Reopening
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of the final steps in a long-delayed bridge project in Clark County is complete. The Indiana Department of Transportation says installation of handrail lighting on the Big Four Bridge's Indiana ramp and stair tower to the pedestrian bridge is finished. The City of Jeffersonville says the ramp cannot be opened until INDOT relinquishes control of it. The News and Tribune previously reported the bridge was originally scheduled to open in April 2013.
Delays because of structural concerns and a major change in the style of lighting have hampered the opening of the Indiana side of the project.
The Kentucky side has been opened to pedestrians for more than a year.
Sources: The News and Tribune, The Indiana Department of Transportation, The City of Jeffersonville
May 19, 2014
News Release
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – Installation of handrail lighting for both the Indiana ramp and stair tower to the Big Four bicycle and pedestrian bridge has been completed. The Indiana Department of Transportation and city of Jeffersonville performed walk-through inspections today with contractor Hummel Electric of Evansville and all punch-list items have now been addressed.
The $8.5 million ramp and stair tower were funded up to 80 percent with Federal Highway Administration funds. The city of Jeffersonville designed the project and is paying at least 20 percent in federal match. Handrail lighting was chosen in consultation with the Old Jeffersonville Historic District to meet federal historic preservation requirements.
“The Indiana ramp and stair tower to the Big Four Bridge were completed today – not partially, but fully – and at the lowest possible cost to Jeffersonville taxpayers,” said INDOT chief of staff Troy Woodruff. “The bike and pedestrian facility is a great attraction for tourism, recreation and transportation in Southern Indiana.”
The city owns and maintains the approach upon completion, and is responsible for coordinating the opening of the ramp with the Waterfront Development Corporation in Louisville. INDOT and FHWA are not participating financially in the local Big Four Station project that will continue construction surrounding the ramp.
Photos of handrail installation and the lighting at night are available in the “Big Four Bridge handrails” album at http://www.facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast/photos_albums.
Source: The Indiana Department of Transportation
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – The City of Jeffersonville will open the Big Four ramp once it receives written notification from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that the City has control of the ramp. While construction is complete, the ramp is presently under control of INDOT and the City does not have the authority to open the ramp to public access. Once INDOT relinquishes control of the ramp, the City of Jeffersonville will move quickly to provide public access to the ramp and bridge. INDOT has not given the City any indication when it will relinquish control of the ramp.
Source: The City of Jeffersonville