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Project Profile: Lake Bridges: Kentucky Lake Bridge & Lake Barkley Bridge

Lake Bridges: Kentucky Lake Bridge & Lake Barkley Bridge - Southwest Kentucky

photo credit: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Location

Southwest Kentucky

Project Sponsor / Borrower

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Program Areas

Project Finance

Mode

Bridge

Description

The Lake Bridges project is the replacement of two bridges in the Land Between the Lakes region in southwestern Kentucky. The Kentucky Lake Bridge will replace the existing Eggners Ferry Bridge and widen two miles of US68/KY80 to four lanes. The Lake Barkley Bridge will replace the existing Lawrence Memorial Bridge and widen 1.5 miles of the approach on US 68/KY 80.

The bridge designs are basket- handle arches with 11-foot lanes, four-foot offsets on either side of the medians and outside shoulders, and ten-foot multi-use bike paths and walkways on the south side of each bridge. The new bridges will be constructed just north of their respective existing spans. The existing bridges will be demolished after the new bridges open to traffic.

The projects are part of a series of improvements along US68/KY80 from Aurora to Cadiz, Kentucky approved through a FONSI in 2006. Several of the projects are in construction, with one segment (the Land Between the Lakes project) completed in late 2013. The completion of all projects will result in a continuous four-lane corridor between Aurora and Cadiz.
Cost

Estimated Total Cost - $449.2 million

Funding Sources

Kentucky Lake Bridge - $220.65 million

  • Federal Bridge Replacement On-state system funds (BRO) - $28.75 million
  • GARVEE Bonds - $165 million
  • State funds - 9.7 million

Lake Barkley Bridge - $228.55 million

  • Federal Bridge Replacement On-state system funds (BRO) - $53.85 million
  • GARVEE Bonds - $165 million
  • Federal Funds - $26.9  million
Project Delivery / Contract Method

Design-bid-build

Private Partner None
Project Advisors / Consultants

Design (both bridges)

  • Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
  • Palmer Engineering

Construction

  • Johnson Brothers Corp. (Kentucky Lake Bridge)
  • TBD (Lake Barkley Bridge)
Lenders

Bondholders

Duration / Status

Construction began on the Kentucky Lake Bridge in May 2014 and is expected to be complete in fall 2016. Design of the Lake Barkley Bridge is expected to be complete by the end of 2014. Construction completion is estimated in fall 2017.

Financial Status

The Initial Financial Plan for the Kentucky Lake Bridge and Lake Barley Bridge was approved by FHWA in September 2012. GARVEE Bonds totaling $171.3 million were issues in the fall of 2014.

Innovations
  • The basket handle, tiered-arch design of the bridges is the first of its kind in Kentucky and thought to be among fewer than a dozen in existence worldwide.
Related Links / Articles

News Article on Opening of Lake Barkely Bridge (Feb. 2018)

Contacts

Mike McGergor
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Department of Highways, District One
Tel: (270) 898-2431
mike.mcgergor@ky.gov

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