JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- After decades of talk, Indiana and Kentucky officials have broken ground for an early phase of a project that will build two new bridges on the Ohio River.
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday praised the persistence of both states in making the project a reality.
The $2.6 billion project will build a bridge in downtown Louisville and another on the east side of the metropolitan area. The groundbreaking was for work to extend a road that will be the first exit on the Indiana side of the river when the east end bridge opens in 2017.
Both governors say the cooperation is an example of bipartisan cooperation in an era of partisan gridlock.
Construction on the main crossings is expected to begin in 2013.
