Preferred Alternative Identified for Sherman Minton Construction

New Albany, Ind. (July 2, 2020) – To minimize impacts on cross-river commuters in Louisville and Southern Indiana during rehabilitation of the Sherman Minton Bridge, the Project Team is recommending a plan that will limit full closure of the bridge to only 54 total days of the estimated 843 total days of work.

The Preferred Alternative will ensure at least one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open for nearly 95% of the estimated three-year construction process. Closures will not be in one consecutive period, but will be limited to 9 consecutive days per direction in a calendar year and up to three 3-day weekends per direction per calendar year.

Project leaders credited community leaders, elected officials and business owners with providing valuable input that helped guide the Project Team to a low-impact traffic alternative for the major rehabilitation project, the first major overhaul in the bridge’s 57-year life.

“The community felt the impacts of the emergency shutdown in 2011 and underscored just how important the need is for a construction and traffic maintenance solution that will not repeat that sudden, long closure,” said Mary Jo Hamman, project manager for the Sherman Minton Renewal.

The Sherman Minton Bridge, a double-decker arch bridge originally opened to traffic in 1962, required emergency closure for nearly six months to repair cracks found during an inspection in September 2011.The recommended approach reflects the public’s preference for maintaining access across the bridge to the fullest extent possible during construction, while providing a safe environment for the driving public and the design-build contractor’s team.

  • Cross-river traffic will be maintained with two eastbound and two westbound travel lanes open during the majority of construction.
  • Temporary crossovers and additional temporary widening to ramp lanes will be implemented to facilitate the movement of traffic during construction.
  • One eastbound and one westbound lane will be closed throughout construction.
  • Existing access ramps will remain open during the majority of construction.
  • Two eastbound and/or two westbound lanes and associated access ramps may be closed nightly during construction for up to 180 nights per calendar year.

The design-build contractor will be permitted to work 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Changes in traffic patterns and full closures will not be allowed during certain holidays and other approved exceptions.

Environmental Document and Public Comment

The Environmental Document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has been completed and is posted on the Project website (www.shermanmintonrenewal.com). It is available for review at the following locations:

    • INDOT Seymour Office, 185 Agrico Ln, Seymour, IN 47274
    • TARC, 1000 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203
    • NIA Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211
    • Shively City Hall, 3920 Dixie Hwy, Shively, KY 40216
    • Hope Southern Indiana, Brown-Starks Neighborhood Place, 1200 Bono Rd., New Albany, IN 47150

Public and agency comments will be accepted through August 14, 2020. Comments may be provided through:

  • The “Contact Us” page on the Project website;
  • by calling the project hotline at (502) 329-8320;
  • by emailing (info@shermanmintonrenewal.com);
  • by completing a comment card at one of the above locations; or
  • by mailing comments to: Michael Baker International, 1650 Lyndon Farm Ct. #101, Louisville, KY 40223.

After considering all comments, the states will confirm the Preferred Alternative. Final approval of the Preferred Alternative will come from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and take approximately three years to complete.

This is a design-build best value project, which means price is not the only criteria that will determine which team is selected. The project delivery method invites innovative solutions that will potentially further reduce construction time and impacts to the public.

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The Sherman Minton Renewal is a $90+ million rehabilitation and painting project that will significantly extend the life of the 57-year-old bridge. The double-decked bridge carries six lanes of traffic (I-64 and US 150) over the Ohio River connecting Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN. Find more information at www.shermanmintonrenewal.com.

About The Sherman Minton Renewal Project

The Sherman Minton Renewal is a major bridge rehabilitation and painting project that will significantly extend the life of the 61-year-old bridge. The double-decked bridge carries six lanes of traffic (I-64 and US 150) over the Ohio River connecting Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN.

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