Sherman Minton Bridge Closure

Congressman Yarmuth’s Action Timeline

September 30, 2011

Officials in Kentucky and Indiana announce that repairs on the Sherman Minton Bridge are estimated to take six months and cost $20 million, $5 million of which will be provided by the Federal Highway Administration.

The Sherman Minton does not need extensive repairs which is great news for our community. A timeframe of six months is much better than several years, however, it is still a long time for commuters and local businesses. A bipartisan coalition has come together to make this a top national priority and we remain committed to doing whatever it takes to expedite the process and get traffic moving across the bridge again.

September 23, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth tours the Sherman Minton Bridge with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Victor Mendez.

September 22, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth meets with President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One to discuss the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge and urgent need for infrastructure investment in Kentucky. The President gave the Congressman assurances that he would do everything he could to expedite repairs on the bridge as well as the construction of the East End and Downtown bridges.

September 20, 2011

At the Congressman’s request, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Victor Mendez announce they will visit Louisville on Friday, September 23 to tour the Sherman Minton Bridge.

September 17, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth tours the Sherman Minton Bridge with Congressman Young, Senator McConnell, Mayor Greg Fischer, and transportation officials from the Kentucky, Indiana, and the Federal Highway Administration.

Congressman Yarmuth listens to transportation officials on the Sherman Minton Bridge.

September 14, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth speaks with Federal Highways Administration Administrator Victor Mendez during a conference call with Congressman Young, Senator McConnell, Senator Paul, Senator Coats, and Senator Lugar’s staff about the federal role in the ongoing inspection as well as what federal assistance could be made available for Indiana and Kentucky.

September 13, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth briefs Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on the inspection and impact of the bridge closure on transportation and commerce in the region.  He also invites Secretary LaHood and President Obama to Louisville to examine the bridge firsthand.

September 13, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth confers with leaders in the House of Representatives to explain how the closure is affecting the community and to discuss options for federal funding to replace or repair the Sherman Minton bridge, including a legislative fix to make the bridge eligible for Emergency Relief.

September 13, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth contacts House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Norm Dicks (WA-6) to inquire about possible funding options and a legislative fix to allow the Sherman Minton Bridge to qualify for emergency relief.

September 13, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth speaks with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall and House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Highways and Transit Subcommittee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio about the possibilities of assistance in a highway reauthorization bill.

September 12, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth contacts House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers to inform him of the bridge closure and ask for his support as the situation develops.

September 10, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth holds a press conference with local officials to update the community on the fractures and actions taken to inspect the bridge and ensure public safety.

September 9, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth’s office contacts U.S. DOT officials for an initial assessment and to be brought up to date on DOT’s role.

September 9, 2011

Congressman Yarmuth’s office contacts the White House to ensure they are alerted to the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge.