FRANKFORT, KY (WAVE) - Gov. Steve Beshear has invited companies from around Kentucky and across the globe to learn more about how they can be part of the Ohio River Bridges Project, a major, decade-long construction effort that will create thousands of jobs.
Beshear encouraged small business owners, union leaders and construction company executives to register and take part in the Ohio River Bridges Project Industry Innovation Forum on Feb. 16 and 17 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville.
The event – co-sponsored by the Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Indiana Department of Transportation – will draw hundreds of participants to learn more about the largest bi-state transportation project in the two states' history.
"The Ohio River Bridges Project will create thousands of good-paying jobs and pump billions of dollars into our regional economy," Beshear said. "I want to make sure that Kentuckians are poised and ready to land as many of those jobs as possible."
Attendees will also discuss creative approaches to financing, design and construction to lower the overall cost of the project. Beshear, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer are scheduled to speak at the event.
The Ohio River Bridges Project involves construction of two bridges over the Ohio River and reconstruction of Louisville's Kennedy Interchange to dramatically improve safety and traffic flow in one of the nation's most critical interstate crossroads. In addition, the existing I-65 Kennedy Bridge would be converted to a one-way, six-lane bridge for southbound traffic with a new parallel span for northbound traffic. The target for beginning construction is August 2012.
Cost of the project has been estimated at $4.1 billion, but the three leaders – Gov. Beshear, Gov. Daniels and Mayor Fischer – have jointly recommended cost-saving modifications that would reduce the cost by more than $500 million. More information can be found at http://www.kyinbridges.com.
Because the Bridges Project is one of the largest transportation projects in the nation, the forum is expected to attract participants from around the world. Global transportation and construction companies will have an opportunity to begin creating alliances and partnerships with Kentucky companies to ensure adequate labor, goods and services for the decade-long project.
Beshear particularly encouraged small companies, women- and minority-owned businesses and other disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) to take part in the informational sessions. "We want the people who build these bridges and roadways to reflect the faces of Kentucky and our entire region," he said.
Participants can register at the Bridges Authority's website, www.bridgesauthority.com. The conference is free, but attendees are responsible for travel, lodging and meals. Advanced registration is encouraged and space is limited for some portions of the forum.
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