48-687: The Ohio River Bridges Project ( ORBP ) was a 2002–2016 transportation project in the Louisville metropolitan area primarily involving the construction of two Interstate highway bridges across the Ohio River and the reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange (locally known as " Spaghetti Junction ") near downtown Louisville . The Abraham Lincoln Bridge , an urban span carrying northbound traffic on I-65 from downtown Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana , opened December 2015; it
96-670: A 1920s-era property on the National Register of Historic Places was questioned. It would be the second longest automobile tunnel in Kentucky, after the Cumberland Gap Tunnel , and the longest allowing Hazmat -containing vehicles to pass through unannounced and without escort. The chief of the Harrods Creek, Kentucky , fire department, which would be first responder to any accident, expressed concern that
144-627: A Democratic stronghold. Jefferson County has voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. In the 2019 gubernatorial election , it voted for Democrat Andy Beshear by a higher percentage than any other county in Kentucky, giving him 67% of the vote. The public school districts for the county are: Jefferson County School District (JCPS) and Anchorage Independent School District . The Anchorage district only covers grades K-8; Anchorage district residents may attend JCPS or Oldham County Schools . Kentucky School for
192-485: A deadline imposed by both states for completion of repairs. Like other public works projects, criticism and alternatives have sprung up. Criticism has largely centered around land acquisition and routing issues, as well as concerns that the Butchertown neighborhood would lose a significant portion of its historical infrastructure with its absorption into the reconfigured Kennedy Interchange . A notable alternative to
240-446: A household in the county was $ 54,357 (2018), and the median income for a family was $ 49,161 (2005). Males had a median income of $ 36,484 versus $ 26,255 for females (2005). The per capita income for the county was $ 31,980 (2018). About 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over (2018). Since the formation of Louisville Metro on January 6, 2003, residents of
288-533: A new underground tunnel and freeway extensions to complete connections to the Lewis and Clark Bridge. On July 26, 2002, the two governors of Kentucky and Indiana announced that the East End Bridge would be constructed, along with a new I-65 downtown span and a reconstructed Kennedy Interchange, where three interstates connect. The cost of the three projects was to total approximately $ 2.5 billion, and would be
336-480: A portion of the project plan, 8664 , called for I-64 to be rerouted around downtown using I-265 and the new East End Bridge so that I-64 in downtown could be deconstructed, making way for downtown park and business expansion in its place. One notable critic was the non-profit group River Fields . The safety and cost effectiveness of the 1,720-foot (520 m) East End Tunnel under the Drumanard Estate,
384-419: A range of bridge design options using 3D visualizations. This public involvement process focused in on designs that the public felt were more suitable, as shown by their polling scores. The SPI public involvement process itself was evaluated by anonymous, real-time citizen polling at the open public meetings. On July 19, 2006, the final design alternatives for the bridge were announced. The three designs included
432-544: A three-span arch, a cable-stayed design with three towers, and a cable-stayed type with a single A-shaped support tower. It was also announced that the projected cost for the bridge would be $ 203 million. The new structure is the fourth bridge in downtown Louisville, joining the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge erected between spring 1961 and late 1963 at a cost of $ 10 million; the four-lane George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge , constructed from June 1928 and to October 31, 1929; and
480-502: A total area of 398 square miles (1,030 km ), of which 380 square miles (980 km ) is land and 17 square miles (44 km ) (4.3%) is water. The Ohio River forms its northern boundary with the state of Indiana . The highest point is South Park Hill, elevation 902 feet (275 m), located in the southern part of the county. The lowest point is 383 feet (117 m) along the Ohio River just north of West Point . As of
528-656: Is Louisville, Kentucky . The metropolitan area was originally formed by the United States Census Bureau in 1950 and consisted of the Kentucky county of Jefferson and the Indiana counties of Clark and Floyd . As surrounding counties saw an increase in their population densities and the number of their residents employed within Jefferson County, they met Census criteria to be added to
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#1732772865544576-495: Is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky . As of the 2020 census , the population was 782,969. It is the most populous county in the commonwealth (with more than twice the population of second ranked Fayette County ). Since a city-county merger in 2003, the county's territory, population and government have been coextensive with the city of Louisville , which also serves as county seat . The administrative entity created by this merger
624-508: Is part of a new 6.5 mile (10.5 km) highway that connects the formerly disjoint sections of I-265 in Indiana and Kentucky. With the new section complete, I-265 forms a 3/4 beltway around the Louisville metropolitan area . Design A-15 was chosen over six alternatives for the I-265 connection, which includes the Lewis and Clark Bridge Bridge. A tunnel for the new highway was constructed under
672-704: Is slightly upstream from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge that had been completed in 1963 and was redecked for this project to handle southbound traffic. A suburban span, the Lewis and Clark Bridge (called the East End Bridge during planning), opened in December 2016 and connects the Indiana and Kentucky segments of I-265 between Prospect, Kentucky (far eastern Jefferson County ), and Utica, Indiana . Additionally completed were reconstructed ramps on I-65 between Muhammad Ali Boulevard and downtown Louisville, as well as
720-813: Is the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, abbreviated to Louisville Metro. Jefferson County is the anchor of the Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area , locally referred to as Kentuckiana. Jefferson County—originally Jefferson County, Virginia —was established by the Virginia General Assembly in June 1780, when it abolished and partitioned Kentucky County into three counties: Fayette , Jefferson and Lincoln . Named for Thomas Jefferson , who
768-723: The Big Four Bridge , which operated as a railroad bridge from 1895 to 1969 and reopened as a pedestrian bridge in May 2014. In February 2008, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released a study saying that tolls would be a possible part of the new bridges, because there were insufficient federal funds for the $ 4.1 billion project. The tolling would likely be electronic, without traditional tollbooths, similar to SunPass in Florida. The possibility of tolls
816-490: The census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,801 per square mile (695/km ). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 794 per square mile (307/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 77.38% White , 18.88% Black or African American , 0.22% Native American , 1.39% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.68% from other races , and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of
864-658: The 6.5-mile (10.5 km) eastern route is in Indiana at Salem Road. That full interchange provides access to the Clark Maritime Center and the old Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, a 10,000-acre (40 km) site that has been undergoing redevelopment as the River Ridge Commerce Center. The bridge includes accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists. Former Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon said he could not wait for construction to begin, adding, "We'll finally be able to take down that sign at
912-607: The 9th Vice President of the United States , was born in Jefferson County in 1780, while the family was living in a settlement along the Beargrass Creek . The last major American Indian raid in present-day Jefferson County was the Chenoweth Massacre on July 17, 1789. Whenever possible, the metro government generally avoids any self-reference including the name "Jefferson County" and has even renamed
960-639: The Commonwealth joining the E-ZPass consortium across 15 states and the Canadian province of Ontario on July 29, 2015. Users have the choice of purchasing a traditional E-ZPass transponder for use throughout E-ZPass states, or a decal applied to the windshield for use by mainly local commuters, while occasional travelers can choose to pay their toll by mail via license plate recognition notices. On September 9, 2011, Kentucky and Indiana officials announced
1008-621: The Elizabethtown, Kentucky, MSA, consisting of Hardin and LaRue Counties. Louisville–Jefferson County MSA Elizabethtown–Fort Knox, Kentucky MSA Principal city In 2003, the Jefferson County government merged with that of its largest city and county seat, Louisville, forming a new entity, the Louisville–Jefferson County Metro Government (official long form) or Louisville Metro (official short form). All small cities within Jefferson County became part of
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#17327728655441056-609: The Jefferson County Courthouse as Metro Hall . Prior to the 2003 merger, the head of local government was the County Judge/Executive , a post that still exists but now has few powers. The office is currently held by Queenie Averette. Local government is effectively now led by the Mayor of Louisville Metro , Craig Greenberg . According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has
1104-546: The Kennedy reopened for southbound I-65 through traffic; the Kennedy itself fully reopened on November 14, 2016. A Structured Public Involvement protocol developed by K. Bailey and T. Grossardt was used to elicit public preferences for the design of the structure. From spring 2005 to summer 2006, several hundred citizens attended a series of public meetings in Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana , and evaluated
1152-894: The Louisville MSA and Scottsburg, Indiana μSA was dissolved, no longer considered a statistical area by the OMB. In addition, Meade County, which was part of the Elizabethtown MSA, was detached and added to the Louisville MSA. Trimble County, on the northeastern edge of the Louisville MSA, was detached in 2023. As of 2023 , the U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Louisville–Jefferson County MSA as including Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, and Shelby Counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington Counties in Indiana. The larger Louisville/Jefferson County–Elizabethtown CSA adds
1200-617: The MSA. Jefferson County, Kentucky, plus eleven outlying counties – seven in Kentucky and four in Southern Indiana – are now a part of this MSA. Two other counties, one each in Kentucky and Indiana, were part of the MSA in the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Censuses, but were spun off by the Census Bureau into their own Micropolitan Statistical Areas (μSA) in 2013 and 2018 respectively. The formal name given to
1248-706: The area by the Census Bureau is the Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky–Indiana, metropolitan statistical area , though it is regularly referred to as Kentuckiana . It is now the primary MSA of the Louisville/Jefferson County–Elizabethtown, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area , as defined by the United States Bureau of the Census in 2000 and recently redefined in 2018. The combined statistical area (CSA) adds
1296-434: The center of the bridge deck and cables reaching to the outside; and a cable-stayed two center towered bridges with the cables extending to the center of the deck. It was also announced that the new bridge would cost $ 221 million and feature three northbound and three southbound lanes. In 2011, this was scaled back in order to save money by narrowing the bridge deck configuration to have only two lanes in each direction (but with
1344-401: The cities below also became citizens of the newly expanded Metro, but none of the incorporated places dissolved in the process. The functions formerly served by the county government for the towns were assumed by Louisville Metro. However, the former City of Louisville was effectively absorbed into the new city-county government. Like most urban counties nationwide, Jefferson County is currently
1392-471: The city and county. Louisville Metro (771,158) Louisville–Jefferson County (balance) (621,349) Municipalities with more than 25,000 people Municipalities with 10,000 to 25,000 people Municipalities with less than 10,000 people *Part of Louisville Metro ‡Prospect lies in both Jefferson and Oldham Counties. The portion within Jefferson County is part of Louisville Metro. Notes Notes Jefferson County, Kentucky Jefferson County
1440-518: The closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge . Cracks in bridge support beams found during an inspection on that day led to the bridge closure, which transportation officials indicated would last for an undetermined length of time. The bridge is a major connection between Louisville and Southern Indiana and is Interstate 64's pathway between the states. The bridge reopened shortly before midnight on February 17, 2012, almost two weeks ahead of
1488-563: The counties of Hardin County, Kentucky , and LaRue County, Kentucky . In 2020, the Census Bureau measured the combined statistical area's population at 1,601,309. Before the 2023 definitions were released, the CSA had two additional micropolitan statistical areas, Bardstown, Kentucky μSA and Scottsburg, Indiana μSA . In 2023, the Bardstown μSA was dissolved with Nelson County being added to
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1536-409: The end of Interstate 265 near the Clark Maritime Center that says 'No Bridge to Kentucky,'" he said to applause. In September 2005, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released plans to reconstruct the U.S. Highway 42 interchange and rebuild the " super-two " roadway from I-71 north to the interchange. The super-two roadway already had a right of way wide enough for a six lane freeway, although at
1584-541: The existing I-65 (southbound) and I-64 Ohio River crossings in the Louisville area. While the financial plan envisioned construction beginning in the summer of 2012, the plan still required approval from the Federal Highway Administration and Congress before work could begin because the existing I-65 and I-64 bridges were built with federal interstate highway funds. The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority officially approved of
1632-491: The future ability to re-stripe for three by narrowing shoulders) and by slightly narrowing the pedestrian/bicycle lane, resulting in a total 23 feet (7.0 m) reduction in overall deck width. The bridge opened to the public on December 18, 2016. Tolling began on December 30, 2016. The Abraham Lincoln Bridge, completed in 2015, runs parallel to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge downstream and now carries six lanes of northbound I-65 traffic. Pedestrian and bicycle lanes were in
1680-481: The historic Drumanard Estate in Kentucky because the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The interstate reappears from the tunnel near the Shadow Wood subdivision before crossing Transylvania Beach and the Ohio River . The highway passes north of Utica, Indiana , near the old Indiana Army Ammunition Plant . Construction of an exploratory tunnel under the historic east end property
1728-495: The largest transportation project ever constructed between the two states. An estimated 132 residents and 80 businesses were to be displaced. The Louisville–Southern Indiana Bridge Authority (LSIBA), a 14-member commission (seven members from Kentucky and seven from Indiana) charged with developing a financial plan and establishing funding mechanisms for construction, was established in October 2009. The LSIBA oversaw construction of
1776-428: The new Louisville Metro government while retaining their city governments. For statistical and ranking purposes, the United States Census Bureau uses the statistical entity Louisville–Jefferson County metro government (balance), Kentucky , to represent the portion of the consolidated city-county of Louisville–Jefferson County that does not include any of the 83 separate incorporated places (municipalities) located within
1824-585: The number of homes taken by eminent domain expected to be higher because of development occurring in the route path. 109 residences, most in Clark County, Indiana were displaced, the majority of which were constructed in the year before the route for the I-265 extension was finalized. Half of the Shadow Wood subdivision and two condominium buildings at Harbor of Harrods Creek in Jefferson County, Kentucky , were razed. The only new interchange along
1872-477: The original plans, but were removed. The existing I-65 Kennedy Memorial Bridge, completed in 1963, was renovated for six lanes of southbound traffic. The Lincoln Bridge opened for northbound traffic only on December 6, 2015, with southbound traffic being rerouted onto it later that month as reconstruction of the Kennedy Bridge began. The Lincoln began carrying northbound traffic only on October 10, 2016, when
1920-444: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 287,012 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1968-415: The project, and continues to operate and maintain the bridges and collect tolls. Construction began in 2014, with the entire project being completed in late December 2016. Tolling on the bridges is expected to continue through at least 2053. The result of many community discussions for over 30 years, the Lewis and Clark Bridge (known as the East End Bridge from its conception until completion of construction)
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2016-425: The proposed tunnel would be considerably more dangerous to travel through and with fewer safety precautions. Contemporary Louisville area projects Louisville metropolitan area The Louisville metropolitan area is the 43rd largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States. It had a population of 1,395,855 in 2020 according to the latest official census , and its principal city
2064-411: The ramps, and stub roadways that would eventually lead into the tunnel under the Drumanard Estate to the immediate north of the interchange. On July 19, 2006, the final design alternatives for the East End Bridge were announced. The three designs chosen included a cable-stayed bridge with two diamond-shaped towers with the cables reaching to the outside; a cable-stayed two-tower bridge with the towers in
2112-402: The time only two lanes worth of space is being used. The incomplete US 42 interchange had been constructed in the early 1960s with the original construction of Interstate 265. The reconstruction of the northern two miles (3 km) included the widening of the super-two alignment to six-lanes, the rebuilding and widening of the ramps at US 42, the installation of two traffic signals at the base of
2160-401: Was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males. The median income for
2208-626: Was governor of Virginia at the time, it was one of Kentucky's nine original counties on June 1, 1792. In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War , George Rogers Clark 's militia and 60 civilian settlers, established the first American settlement in the county on Corn Island in the Ohio River , at head of the Falls of the Ohio . They moved to the mainland the following year, establishing Louisville. Richard Mentor Johnson ,
2256-488: Was not met with a warm reception; Jeffersonville's city council quickly passed a resolution urging state and federal officials to find other ways to fund the bridges project. The LSIBA issued the updated financial plan for the Ohio River Bridges project on December 16, 2010. The plan envisioned roughly half of the project's costs being financed through $ 1.00 tolls on the proposed I-65 (northbound) and I-265 and
2304-535: Was to begin in summer 2007, but bids were 39% more than the state had expected. Construction of the exploratory tunnel finally started in April 2011. The design is the result of the $ 22.1 million, four-year Ohio River Bridges Study, which found that solving the region's traffic congestion would require the construction of two new bridges across the Ohio River and reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange in downtown Louisville. Limited land acquisition began in 2004, with
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