Daniels, Kentucky Governor Celebrate Legislative Efforts To Move Ohio River Bridges Project Forward

Press Release

Daniels, Kentucky Governor Celebrate Legislative Efforts To Move Ohio River Bridges Project Forward

Governor Mitch Daniels recently joined Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear as Beshear signed new legislation aimed at helping Kentucky find a way to finance the Ohio River Bridges Project.

Indiana has $600 million already set aside for the projects thanks to Daniels' 2006 Major Moves Toll Road initiative.

"Congratulations to Governor Beshear and his legislative colleagues. This legislation is an essential step forward toward investments that are critical to the economic prospects and quality of life for citizens of both states," said Daniels. "With $600 million already set aside for this purpose, Indiana is ready to go to work."

Daniels also said that with the approval of the Indiana Senate Pro Tempore and Speaker of the House, he has appointed Kerry Stemler, of New Albany, as the citizen member of the new state Ohio River Bridges Project Commission. Language for the commission was included in the budget signed by Daniels on June 30. The five-member group will work with Kentucky representatives on an Ohio River Bridges Project joint plan of action.

Stemler is president and chief operating officer of KM Stemler Company, Inc., and KM Stemler Trucking Company, Inc. He also was instrumental is the formation of One Southern Indiana, the chamber organization that serves Clark and Floyd counties.

The Ohio River Bridges Project includes two new bridges, plus reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange in downtown Louisville. The initial financial plan for the project set the estimated cost at $4.1 billion. Indiana's share is 30 percent. The state has already spent about $40 million on environmental, engineering and other preparatory work.

"Governor Daniels and I recognize the importance of modern river crossings to both of our states. Kentucky and Indiana are quite literally at the hub of America's interstate commerce," Beshear said. "We also recognize that these are massive projects, too costly to be undertaken entirely by one state with only our traditional sources of transportation revenue.''

Kentucky House Bill 3 provides for the creation of a Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority. The 11-member authority, which Beshear expects to appoint by fall, will have the mission of facilitating the construction, financing, operation and oversight of major projects by entering into bi-state agreements with Indiana and by creating bi-state authorities. The state authority also can create local authorities for projects entirely within Kentucky.

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