The number of designs for the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville have been narrowed to three apiece: Courier-Journal: Bridge options unveiled (July 19, 2006) , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: Downtown Bridge Design Alternatives , Kentucky-Indiana Bridges: East End Bridge Design Alternatives 

An engineering firm recently unveiled designs for the pedestrian approach to the Indiana side of the Big Four Bridge. The former railroad bridge between Southern Indiana and Louisville is being converted to a pedestrian and bicycle crossing: Courier-Journal: Beginning of an end for Big Four; Designs unveiled for Ind. side of walkway (May 10, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Big Four Bridge pedway may get boost from House; Federal spending bill includes $500,000 for it (June 14, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Gradual ramp will lead up to Big Four Bridge; soft soil foils other plan (June 17, 2006) 

The state will try for a third time to have the I-65 Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River painted: Courier-Journal: Kennedy bridge looking for yet another painter (May 8, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Kennedy Bridge will just be taupe; To save money, time, 2 colors cut (June 14, 2006) , Associated Press: State Rejects Lone Bid For Kennedy Bridge Painting (June 25, 2006) , Business First of Louisville: Bridge repainting bid comes in over budget (July 21, 2006) 

The interchange between I-64 and Third Street in downtown Louisville may be closed as part of Spaghetti Junction reconstruction partition of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project: Courier-Journal: Third Street ramp might be eliminated; River Road would gain exit (April 18, 2006) 

The Courier-Journal has posted a video of the Ohio River flowing past a barge lodged against the K&I bridge: Courier-Journal: Video: The Ohio River at the K&I Bridge (April 13, 2006 )

The railroad bridge is now operated by Norfolk Southern. At one time, it also carried automobile vehicle traffic.

Removal of the barge was delayed for some time: New Albany (Ind.) Tribune and Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Barge to enjoy holiday weekend in area; Stuck visitor to remain a few more days (May 27, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Crippled barge uprighted, moved; Fleet will push it to Mississippi (May 31, 2006) 

The historic Roebling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River at Covington may close for a year beginning in October for repainting and repair: Cincinnati Enquirer: Suspension Bridge may close for year (March 28, 2006) 

Construction work has begun on the Louisville east end bridge project. This phase of work involves the reconstruction of the current end of the Gene Snyder Freeway at US 42: Busines First of Louisville: Bridges project to begin construction activity (March 2, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Relief on way for U.S. 42-Snyder intersection; Open house to let public examine project (April 26, 2006) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Ground broken for two costly Ohio River bridges (June 20, 2006) , Courier-Journal: Dynamite work to start at U.S. 42 and Snyder (July 19, 2006) 

A shift of funding to the Louisville Bridge Project could delay dozens of other state road projects: Courier-Journal: Bridges plan could delay 80 state road projects; $789 million in federal funds now targeted for Louisville (Feb. 28, 2006) , Danville Advocate-Messenger: Bridge construction could delay U.S. 27 project in Garrard (Feb. 28, 2006) 

Earlier this month, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet cancelled a $17.8 million contract with Atlantic Painting Company for painting Louisville’s Kennedy Bridge. The state claims that Atlantic Painting was making sufficient progress towards completing the bridge repainting project: Courier-Journal: Kennedy Bridge painting deal canceled; State says job only 6 percent complete (Feb. 9, 2006) , Associated Press: State cancels bridge painting company's contract (Feb. 9, 2006) 

At nearly $110 million, the low bid for constructing a new bridge across the Ohio River at Russell came in well above the Ohio Department of Transportation’s estimates: Ashland Daily Independent: $110M bid for new bridge puts funding in question (Jan. 13, 2006) 

Atlantic Painting Co., the contractor responsible for painting the I-65 Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville, recently walked off the project. The company claims that the weather is too cold for painting. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is unsure when work will resume: Courier-Journal: Painting work stops on Kennedy Bridge; State, company will discuss finishing job (Dec. 10, 2005) , Courier-Journal: State might extend deadline for painting Kennedy Bridge (Jan. 8, 2006) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently presented proposed alternatives for rebuilding and extending the eastern end of the Owensboro bypass: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Bypass extension plans to be displayed; Affected property shown for 3.4-mile project (Dec. 8, 2005) , Messenger-Inquirer: Residents along bypass extension route get look at plan (Dec. 9, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will soon takeover responsibility for replacing decorative light bulbs on the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River at Maysville. Decorative lighting on other bridges across the state has always been the responsibility of local authorities: Maysville Ledger Independent: No easy fix for bridge illumination (Nov. 9, 2005) 

The Ohio Department of Transportation has delayed the opening of bids for the Ironton-Russell Bridge project; however, the delay is not expected to affect the beginning of construction which is scheduled for spring 2006: Ashland Daily Independent: Bids for Ironton-Russell Bridge delayed (Nov. 6, 2005) 

The Oldham Era takes a look at the process of designing the proposed Louisville East End bridge: Oldham Era: Designers seek input for East End bridge (Nov. 4, 2005) 

Ownership of the “Purple People Bridge” is closer to being transferred to a not-for-profit organization. The Newport city council recently voted to accept ownership of the bridge from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and to transfer ownership of the bridge to the not-for-profit Newport Southbank Bridge Company.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge closer to transfer; Commissioners take first vote on turning over ownership of Purple People Bridge (Nov. 2, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet expected to open the state’s first roadway constructed on a foam base ahead of schedule. A one-mile section of KY 8 along the bank of the Ohio River in Campbell County is being reconstructed in attempt to prevent problems with cracking and slipping of the road.

More information: Kentucky Post: Geofoam roadway to open in weeks (Oct. 24, 2005) 

A year long rehabilitation project on the Shawneetown Bridge drew to a close in Ocotober: Union County Advocate: Shawneetown Bridge set to reopen (Oct. 12, 2005) 

A recent river cruise allowed are leaders to view the potential paths of the new Ohio River bridges at Louisville: Jeffersonville Evening News: Cruise gives insight on bridge routes (Oct. 7, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Two meetings will seek ideas on design of East End bridge; Open houses set for today, Thursday (Oct. 18, 2005) , Jeffersonville Evening News: Area residents weigh-in on east-end bridge design (Oct. 19, 2005) , Courier-Journal: A recipe to rebuild Spaghetti Junction; Untangling plan will be unveiled this week (Oct. 23, 2005) , WAVE 3: Spaghetti Junction Makeover Projected To Cost $1.1 Billion (Oct. 28, 2005) 

One percent of the budget to build a replacement for the Brent Spence Bridge will be used to improve the bridge’s aesthetics: Kentucky Post: Bridge will be one of a kind (Oct. 7, 2005) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Goal: Get bridge right; Much study underpins planning for Brent Spence replacement (Oct. 17, 2005) 

Two companies have been fined for safety violations relating to an accident that caused the death of a worker on the Kennedy Bridge Painting project: Louisville Courier-Journal: 2 companies fined in fatal fall from bridge (Sept. 21, 2005) 

Recently, members of the public had the opportunity to express their opinion on the design of the two proposed bridges over the Ohio River at Louisville.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Public to get say on new bridge design; Downtown span's style, fit are topics (Sept. 19, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Residents' thoughts vary on downtown bridge (Sept. 21, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Thoughts on bridge flow freely at meeting; 'Spectacular' span? Low-maintenance? (Sept. 21, 2005) 

In other Louisville bridge related news, Indiana officials are urging that the proposed East End bridge be built before the downtown bridge: Louisville Courier-Journal: Eastern bridge priority urged; Officials say it will have greater economic impact (Sept. 29, 2005) 

A not-for-profit organization has raised and spent thousands of dollars to beautify the former L&N Bridge over the Ohio River at Newport; however, plans to transfer ownership of the bridge to Southbank Partners have been delayed. Part of the bridge—the former railroad tracks—is still owned by L&N’s successor corporation CSX Transportation. The road portion of the bridge has been converted to a pedestrian walkway and is owned by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Questions over who will pay for the upkeep of parts of the structure have lead to the delay in transferring the state owned portion of the bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Span's ownership remains with state; Public-private transfer delayed (Sept. 16, 2005) 

The Kentucky Post takes a look at this history of the Roebling Suspension Bridge: Kentucky Post: After many false starts, Roebling spanned the Ohio (Sept. 12, 2005) 

Drivers crossing between Paducah and Illinois will face delays because of a maintenance project on the US 45 Brookport Bridge: WPSD NewsChannel 6: Kentucky/Illinois: Bridge Construction Means Long Delays for Drivers (Aug. 24, 2005) 

Associated Press: Debate grows over impact of I-69 in western Ky., Tenn. (Aug. 7, 2005) 

Plans for a redesigned Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville will be changed to avoid impacting the city’s Extreme Park: Courier-Journal: Planners do a 180 on Extreme Park; Pillars for Spaghetti Junction won't be in skate area (July 29, 2005) 

The Federal Aviation Administration has raised concerns that a proposed cable-stayed bridge across the Ohio River between Ironton, Ohio and Russell, Kentucky might interfere with navigation to a nearby airport. The $68 million bridge will replace the current Ironton-Russell Bridge, a narrow, two-lane structure which was completed in 1922.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: New bridge work could be delayed (July 14, 2005) , Ashland Daily Independent: FAA approves bridge (July 17, 2005) 

The “Big Four” bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville was inspected in July. Local officials hope to turn the abandoned railroad bridge into a pedestrian bridge: Business First of Louisville: Big Four Bridge inspection under way (July 8, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Engineering crews check Big Four Bridge; Study to determine work needed to create walkway (July 9, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Shore work to precede bridge walkway; Last phase nears for Waterfront Park (July 24, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Jeff taking 1st step on Big Four walkway; Grant to go for drawings of access concepts (Aug. 20, 2005) 

A temporary ferry across the Ohio River at Shawneetown, Illinois has allowed farmers to move equipment across the river while traffic is restricted on the bridge during a repainting project: Henderson Gleaner: Ferry solving Shawneetown Bridge worries (July 3, 2005) 

Contractors have encountered a problem with “surface scale” while repainting the I-65 bridge over the Ohio River. The rust-laced surface scale is proving harder to remove from the bridge than originally expected.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kennedy repainting faces new obstacle; 'Surface scale' on bridge proves difficult to remove (July 2, 2005) , Courier-Journal: State won't pay more for bridge work (July 7, 2005) 

There was also some sad news related to the repainting project. A worker died after falling from the bridge: Courier-Journal: Kennedy Bridge worker killed in fall (July 15, 2005) , Courier-Journal: Setbacks again mar Kennedy bridge painting; Company says it needs more time, money to finish the job (Aug. 27, 2005) 

Maintenance work to the twin US 41 bridges over the Ohio River was completed in July: Henderson Gleaner: Bridge work is done (July 1, 2005) 

The Cincinnati Enquirer recently published a special section covering proposed improvements to I-75 in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Enquirer: I-75: The Big Fix 

Routine maintenance work will result in periodic lane closures on the US 41 bridges over the Ohio River in Henderson County: The Henderson Gleaner: Work set to begin on twin bridges (June 22, 2005) , The Henderson Gleaner: Work set to begin Monday on twin bridges (June 26, 2005) 

Indiana has bought the first parcel of land that will someday become the right-of-way for the new Louisville east-end bridge: Louisville Courier-Journal: Indiana buys land for bridges project; Purchase is first in long process (June 12, 2005) 

The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a bill that includes $3.1 million for the construction of a greenway project in Louisville. The project will eventually form a loop along the Ohio River in Louisville and Southern Indiana–the two sides of the river would be connected by walkways across the K&I Bridge and the Big Four Bridge.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Greenway trail along riverfront might get $3.1million boost (May 31, 2005) 

Work to rebuild I-65 in Indiana just north of the Ohio River was nearing completion late last month. At that point the project was running seventeen months behind schedule and 17% above the original budget: Louisville Courier-Journal: I-65 work is all but finished; Construction delayed, runs over original cost (May 24, 2005) 

Progress is once again visible on the U.S. Grant Bridge south of Portsmouth, Ohio. A new bridge is being constructed over the Ohio River on the site of a bridge demolished in 2001. The Ohio Department of Transportation has a scheduled opening date of October 31, 2006 for the new bridge.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Bridge to Portsmouth shows signs of progress (May 19, 2005)