RiverLink public meetings starting in Indiana
Public information meetings on tolling for the Ohio River Bridges Project are starting in Indiana, following a series of briefing sessions in Kentucky.
The tolling program, called RiverLink, has six meetings -- in open house format for citizens -- scheduled in March in Southern Indiana to introduce drivers to the program. Officials will be available to explain the program and to answer questions about the all-electronic tolling system making the Ohio River Bridges Project possible.
RiverLink open house events are planned for most Tuesdays and Thursdays in March. The first is Tuesday, March 1, at Community Action of Southern Indiana at 1613 E 8th St., in Jeffersonville. Five additional open houses are set, with events planned in Jeffersonville, Charlestown, Clarksville and New Albany.
“We know people have a lot of questions,” said Clint Murphy, director of tolling oversight with the Indiana Department of Transportation. “We want to make it as easy as possible for drivers to get answers and make sure they’re prepared. That’s why we’re holding so many events in a variety of locations.”
Six open houses were held in Kentucky in February.
Tolling is planned on the new Lincoln Bridge, the Kennedy and the East End span currently under construction.
Tolling will begin when cross-river capacity is added to the system. That means tolls can start being collected as soon as either the Kennedy or the new East End bridge opens, to complement the currently operating Lincoln Bridge. Both are expected to begin carrying traffic around the end of the year, said bridges spokeswoman Mindy Peterson.
Initial toll rates range from $1 to $12, depending on the size of the vehicle, whether a transponder is used and how often a driver crosses a tolled bridge.
There will be no toll plazas, no coin machines, no lines and no stopping. The Sherman Minton Bridge and the Clark Memorial Bridge will not be tolled in connection with the project.
The open house events offer displays and information on how all-electronic tolling works, what transponders are available, what payment options exist and initial toll rates.
The events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For directions or further information, call 502-891-2529 or email riverlinkopenhouses@gmail.com.
In a related matter, bridges project officials say that customer service centers should open by mid-year at 400 E. Main St. in Louisville and at 103 Quartermaster Court in Jeffersonville, Ind.
Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089, or via email at sshafer@courier-journal.com.
Scheduled events
All open houses are scheduled for 5:30-7:00 p.m.
March 1 - Community Action of Southern Indiana,1613 E 8th St., Jeffersonville
March. 3 - Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 2201 Grace Ave., Charlestown
March 8 - Clarksville Community Center, 2311 Sam Gwin Dr., Clarksville
March 10 - Charlestown - Clark County Public Library, 51 Clark Rd., Charlestown
March 15 - YMCA of Floyd County, 33 State St., New Albany
March 24 - Sheraton Riverside Hotel, 700 W Riverside Dr., Jeffersonville,