Pub. 1 2020 Issue 3

26 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association L aunched in 2018, the Sherman Minton Renewal is a $90+ million bridge rehabilitation and painting project that will significantly extend the service life of the 57-year-old bridge. The project team has spent nearly two years coordinating with public officials, com- munity leaders, business owners and the general public to determine a plan that allows for maximum access to the bridge while providing a safe environment for driv- ers and contractors working on repairs. The Sherman Minton Renewal Project Team’s focus on public involvement included feedback from multiple open houses and input from its Community Advisory Committee and Environmental Justice Committee members to create the Preferred Alternative. This is a design-build best value project, which means the price is not the only criteria that will determine which contractor is selected. The project delivery method invites innovative solutions that will poten- tially further reduce construction time and impact on the public. Work Ahead The project includes replacement or refurbishment of all bridge decks, rehabilitation or replacement of struc- tural steel elements and hangar cables, new lighting, drainage repairs and painting of the steel components. Many remember the full emergency closure of the bridge in 2011. A crack was discovered during a routine inspection, and the bridge was closed for nearly six months. During that time, significant repairs were made, and the structure was able to reopen. This rehabilitation and repair work has undergone significant coordination with the Project Team, includ- ing INDOT, KYTC and other officials. Unlike the 2011 emergency closure, the Sherman Minton Renewal team has time to plan for repairs and prepare the public accordingly. Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and take approximately three years to complete. Preferred Alternative The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federally-funded projects like the Sherman Minton Renewal to draft an Environmental Document and conduct an analysis of temporary social, economic and environmental impacts. The Environmental Document was available for public review and comment at several locations around the proj- ect area and remains available online for review. To learn more about the Environmental Document, see http:// shermanmintonrenewal.com/environmental-docs/ 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 nine consecutive days per direction in a calendar year and up to three 3-day weekends per direction per calendar year. SHERMAN MINTON RENEWAL ANNOUNCES PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR CONSTRUCTION FULL CLOSURE OF THE BRIDGE WILL BE VERY LIMITED