LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Work was completed nearly two years ago on the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project, a project that changed the landscape of Metro Louisville. A one-hour documentary takes a look back at the historic project that followed decades of conversations and planning. “Two Bridges, One Project: 50 Years in the Making” premieres Sunday, Nov. 11 on KET. It includes interviews with state and community leaders, project managers, team members and more.
The bi-state project included building two new bridges, overhauling the Kennedy Bridge and reconfiguring the Kennedy Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) where three interstates converge in downtown Louisville. In total, the project included nearly 60 miles of new roadway and around 75 new bridges and overpasses.
“It’s hard to believe thousands of people walked the Lincoln Bridge nearly three years ago just before it opened to traffic and one year later, we drove across the Lewis and Clark Bridge for the first time,” said Andy Barber, state highway engineer and former Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project manager. “The documentary is a chance to look back at a project that has truly transformed our region. Viewers will see the bridges taking shape as they rise above the Ohio River and hear from some of the many people who played a role in this pivotal project.”
The Bridges Project was designed to alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety and provide a long-debated and much-needed East End connection to complete a bypass around the area. The $2.3 billion project finished on budget and on schedule. Work started in earnest in the summer of 2013 and all three bridges were open to traffic in late 2016.
“This project has improved the commute for tens of thousands of drivers on a daily basis, offering a new connection and faster and safer travel,” said Ron Heustis, former Indiana Department of Transportation project manager. “The Bridges Project has connected our communities like never before and has opened the door to new opportunities. Two Bridges, One Project offers a behind-the-scenes view of this extraordinary project from start to finish.”
Upcoming Airdates
The documentary is scheduled to air several times on KET channels:
- Sunday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. ET, KETKY; 6 p.m. ET, KET
- Monday, Nov. 12, 12 a.m. ET, KETKY; 8 p.m. ET, KETKY; 9 p.m. ET, KET2
- Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 a.m. ET, KETKY
- Saturday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. ET, KETKY
- Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Saturday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Wednesday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. ET, KET2
- Tuesday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. ET, KETKY
- Sunday, Dec. 23, 4 p.m. ET, KETKY
The documentary was produced by Doe-Anderson, a Louisville company that was part of the Bridges Project communications team.
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