Starting from the ground up

Ohio River Bridges

The more than 40-year wait for a new river crossing is over. The answer? Two bridges. Our direct involvement with the project started in 2003 as we worked with a multi-firm consortium to redesign the Kennedy Interchange—also known as Spaghetti Junction—an area where Interstates 64, 65, and 71 all merge in downtown Louisville.

As the project moved from conventional design-bid-build to a design-build effort, we advanced the plans for the Kennedy Interchange as part of the Walsh team. The first bridge project, Downtown Crossing, also included upgrades to I-65 in southern Indiana, rehabilitation of the existing Kennedy Bridge, and developing the new I-65 Abraham Lincoln bridge.

On the Downtown Crossing project, we provided roadway, structure, and drainage design; permitting; landscaping, aesthetics, and enhancements implementation; stakeholder involvement; and lighting/signing. On the second bridge project, East End Crossing, we provided geotechnical engineering services.

Today, drivers from all over are crossing one of the nation’s largest transportation improvement projects, designed to reduce congestion and improve safety and connectivity in the region’s busiest transportation hub. The completed Ohio River Bridges project—connecting Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana—opened two new bridges to drivers with much fanfare.