[Louisville] Transportation news

[seicer]

Narrow lanes to get marks to aid cyclists (w/ illustration)

By Justin Hesser, Courier-Journal [Louisville], July 28, 2007

Clark Memorial Bridge, one of the most dangerous crossings for bicyclists, connects Louisville to southern Indiana. It was the site of a deadly accident on July 5 when a motorist ran over a bicyclist.

The Louisville Metro Government is trying to make the bridge, and other streets, safer for bicyclists. Pavement markings and signs, called "sharrows", will be placed on the bridge and other narrow streets in the city where there is not enough room for a separate bicycle lane. The pavement markings will go in the center of the lane and will include a graphic depiction of a bicycle with two chevrons above it. Each marking is 3 feet wide and 10 feet long. A sign will be installed adjacent to the marking that states, "SHARED LANE, YIELD TO BIKES." The markings and signs will be the first in Kentucky (Lexington is considering this) and are intended to reinforce the rules of the road for motorists -- that cyclists have the same rights in the travel lanes as vehicles.

The city has obtained permission from the state, who controls the bridge, to place the signs and markings. They will be used on an experimental basis because the federal government has not yet placed the sign in its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The city sent a seven-page letter to the Federal Highway Administration in April seeking permission to use the signs, and received permission on July 5.

Other cities, including Denver, Portland, San Francisco, and Chicago already use the markings and signs. The signs and markings will cost $4,000 on the bridge. The city is currently evaluating streets and will begin placing markings on them soon. The streets being considered are --

15th Street from Kentucky Street to Wilson Avenue.

Third Street from River Road to Broadway.

Main and Market streets from Ninth to First streets.

Jackson Street from Woodbine Avenue to Broadway.

Spring/Adams Street from Mellwood Avenue to Washington Street.

A memorial ride is planned for August 12 in honor of Cronen, who died in the accident on the Clark Bridge.

Edited July 30, 2007 by seicer

[seicer]

A ride of remembrance: Cyclists cross bridge to honor fallen rider, back safety

By Tamara Ikenberg, The Courier-Journal [Louisville], August 13, 2007

Over 2,000 yellow-shirted bikers waited at the entrance to the Clark Memorial Bridge for a memorial ride for George "Chips" Cronen, a bicyclist who was killed when his bike was struck from behind on July 3. The motorist of the van was never charged with the crime. Cronen, who was 57, used the Ohio River span daily to commute to work.

The bridge was closed for the memorial ride. Several speakers beforehand paid tribute to George Cronen, including his brother, Geoff Cronen. Guest speakers and riders included Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, Andy Clarke, and executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. During the presentation, sharrows, pavement markings that indicate motorists must yield to bicyclists, were introduced.

[seicer]

Tunnel bids top estimates: Work is part of bridge project

By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal, September 20, 2007

Both companies that bid on building an exploratory tunnel as part of the Ohio River Bridges Project expect the work to cost at least 39% more than original estimates from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The 1,800-foot-long exploratory tunnel will chart the route for a 2,000-foot six-lane highway tunnel for Interstate 265, north of where the Gene Snyder Freeway ends at U.S. Route 42. Crews would use the tunnel to test the strength of the limestone and shale under U.S. Route 42 and under the Drumanary estate. Construction had initially been scheduled to begin this summer and be finished by spring 2009.

Kiewit Construction Co., of Omaha, Neb., made the low bid of $19.5 million earlier this month, more than $5 million above the state projections of about $14 million. The Kenny Construction Co. of Northbrook, Ill., bid $28.5 million.

The Ohio River Bridges project has an estimated price tag of $3.9 billion, and includes a parallel Interstate 65 span, a new Interstate 265 bridge and tunnel and a redesigned Spaghetti Junction interchange. Costs have increased by nearly 60% since last December.

[seicer]

The Ohio River Bridges Project, consisting of the new Interstate 265 East End Bridge, the southbound Interstate 65 Bridge, and the redesigned Kennedy Interchange, will now cost $4.1 billion. Tolling is now being seriously considered an option, as a way to speed up construction. Construction could begin next year under a tolling plan.

Downtown Bridge (updated Funding)

East End Bridge (updated Funding)

[bw87a]

i'd say go with the tolling plan somehow. these bridges have to be built soon...and fast