Lewis and Clark Bridge | |
|---|---|
 The bridge in 2025 | |
| Coordinates | 38°20′34″N85°38′36″W / 38.3427°N 85.6433°W /38.3427; -85.6433 |
| Carries | 4 lanes of  I-265 (full length) /KY 841 (KY side) |
| Crosses | Ohio River |
| Locale | Prospect, Kentucky (Transylvania Beach) andUtica, Indiana – nearLouisville, Kentucky |
| Maintained by | WVB East End Partners[1] |
| ID number | BH 57876 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 2,500 ft (762 m) |
| Longest span | 1,200 ft (366 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | December 18, 2016 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | |
| Location | |
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TheLewis and Clark Bridge is a bridge that crosses theOhio River northeast of downtownLouisville, Kentucky and is part of a ring road around theLouisville metropolitan area, connecting two previously disjointed segments ofInterstate 265. It was known as theEast End Bridge for 30 years since its conception and while under construction, and renamed by Indiana officials on the day of its opening, December 18, 2016.[2] The bridge provides for walking and bicycling. For motor vehicles,tolling began on December 30, 2016.[3]
The two "Clark" bridges in Louisville are named after different people: this bridge's name refers toWilliam Clark of theLewis and Clark Expedition, while theClark Memorial Bridge inDowntown Louisville is named for his brother,George Rogers Clark.[4]
The design for what was then known as the East End Bridge is the result of the $22.1 million, four-year Ohio River Bridges Study, which found that solving the region's traffic congestion would require the construction of two new bridges across the Ohio River and reconstruction of theKennedy Interchange in downtown Louisville.
Limited land acquisition began in 2004. Construction costs totaled $242 million at the end of January 2017.[5]
On June 4, 2019, the two disjointed sections of I-265 were finally connected under AASHTO approval, with the Indiana State Road 265 designation decommissioned and replaced by I-265. However, the Kentucky Route 841 designation mostly concurrent with I-265 in Kentucky has remained.[6]
Exit renumbering is ongoing along I-265 in both states. By fall 2026, the entire highway from I-65 in Kentucky to I-64 in Indiana will be signed as I-265. Unusually for Interstate highways, the new numbering scheme will not reset at the state border.[7]
Decades of anticipation for a direct connection between Prospect, Ky. and Jeffersonville were realized Sunday when officials celebrated the opening of the east-end bridge, dubbed the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
During the first 12 hours of tolling, more than 52,000 vehicles crossed the three toll bridges in the RiverLink system, officials said.
He doesn't think there will be any confusion when it comes to the new bridge and the Clark Memorial Bridge named after George Rogers Clark, William's older brother.
Bridges of theOhio River | ||||
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