Lewis and Clark Bridge (Ohio River) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lewis and Clark Bridge |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°20′34″N 85°38′36″W / 38.3427°N 85.6433°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of   I-265 / KY 841 |
| Crosses | Ohio River |
| Locale | Prospect, Kentucky and Utica, Indiana - near Louisville, Kentucky |
| ID number | BH 57876 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 2,500 Feet |
| Longest span | 1,200 Feet |
| History | |
| Opened | December 18, 2016 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | $2.10 (with EZ-Pass/RiverLink transponder) $1.05 frequent user (applies to all trips in calendar month with 40+ trips) $3.16 (with Pay-By-Plate account) $4.20 (Pay-By-Plate with no account) |
The Lewis and Clark Bridge is an important bridge that crosses the Ohio River. It's located northeast of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. This bridge is a key part of a large road that circles the Louisville metropolitan area. It helps connect two parts of Interstate 265 that used to be separate.
For about 30 years, this bridge was known as the East End Bridge while it was being planned and built. But on December 18, 2016, the day it opened, officials in Indiana gave it its new name. The bridge is not just for cars! You can also walk or ride your bike across it. Cars started paying a small fee to use the bridge on December 30, 2016. This fee is collected electronically.
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Building the Bridge
The idea for what became the Lewis and Clark Bridge came from a big study. This study, called the Ohio River Bridges Study, cost $22.1 million and took four years. It looked at how to make traffic better in the Louisville area.
The study found that the best way to fix traffic was to build two new bridges over the Ohio River. It also suggested rebuilding a major road connection in downtown Louisville. This project aimed to make driving easier and faster for everyone.
Construction and Costs
Work to buy the land needed for the bridge started in 2004. The actual building of the bridge cost about $242 million. This amount was tallied up by the end of January 2017.
On June 4, 2019, the two parts of Interstate 265 were finally connected. This was a big step for the region's transportation. In Indiana, the old State Road 265 name was changed to Interstate 265. However, in Kentucky, the road still uses the Kentucky Route 841 name along with I-265.
Lewis and Clark: Two Different People
The Lewis and Clark Bridge crosses the Ohio River and connects Kentucky to Indiana. This bridge is named after William Clark, who was part of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. He explored the western United States with Meriwether Lewis.
There is another bridge in downtown Louisville called the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge. This bridge is named after William Clark's older brother, George Rogers Clark. George Rogers Clark was a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Both bridges are important for connecting the two states.
Pedestrian and Bike Access
Both the Lewis and Clark Bridge and the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge are designed for more than just cars. They both have special paths for people to walk or ride bikes. This makes it easy for everyone to enjoy crossing the Ohio River.
