Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

For Immediate Release
Feb. 29, 2008

Media contact: Keith Todd
Districts 1, 2
270-898-2431 (0ffice)
270-210-8009 (Mobile)
keith.todd@ky.gov

Next step in Lake Bridges design process set for June 12th
Effort narrows design down to four options

GOLDEN POND, Ky. — The third and final public meeting to discuss possible designs of two bridges that will carry US 68/KY 80 traffic across Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley is scheduled for June 12.

The meeting will include presentation of detailed renderings and animations of four proposed designs and cost estimates.

Jim LeFevre, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet chief district engineer in District 1, said additional geotechnical study will be conducted prior to the public meeting “to plan for this area’s unique foundation material and the regional earthquake zone.”

J.B. Williams with Michael Baker Jr., Inc., the project’s design consulting firm, said designers will ask the public for input on details of the bridge alternatives, including possible aesthetic features of the bridges, and again collect the feedback through electronic polling,

A bridge-type study executive summary will be prepared after the meeting to provide a brief project history, public feedback, physical features data, renderings and relative costs for each of the four recommended alternatives. The report will be provided to an executive selection committee appointed by the governor for use in the final selection of the bridge type to be built.

The chosen design will replace the US 68/KY 80 Eggner’s Ferry Bridge across Kentucky Lake at Aurora and the Lawrence Memorial Bridge across Lake Barkley at Canton. The selection process is aimed at developing a design that reflects the unique character of the region and the natural setting of Kentucky’s renowned Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.

Kentucky’s Recommended Highway Plan, submitted to the General Assembly by the cabinet, provides funding for the design of both structures in 2008 through 2010. It also includes a commitment of $120 million in federal GARVEE bonds to begin construction of the Lake Barkley structure in 2011 and 2012 as well as $170 million to start construction of the Kentucky Lake structure in 2012 and 2013. GARVEE bonds allow projects to move forward by using future federal allocations to repay the bonds.

Serving as gateways to Land Between The Lakes, the lake crossings will be about eight miles apart, connected by a new four-lane section of US 68/KY 80 being built across Land Between The Lakes.

The bridges will carry four traffic lanes, a pedestrian and bike path and include a minimum 500-foot clear span for barge navigation.

Individuals may address written comments and learn more about the project at the Lake Bridges Project Web site, www.lakebridges.com. Drawings of the four alternates to be submitted for public comment at the June 12th public meeting are expected to be posted on the web site by mid-March.

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