LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Ninety feet above the Ohio River is the Big Four Bridge. The former railroad bridge will soon open to pedestrians.
"Hopefully before Christmas," the president of the Waterfront Redevelopment Corporation, David Karem told WDRB News on Monday.
Construction of the concrete walkway is complete, but installation of the pathway lighting and railing still has to be finished before the bridge can open.
Karem says people are anxious to see the spectacular views from the bridge, all the way from Six Mile Island to the Falls of the Ohio. "I can't go anywhere where people don't say when can I get on the bridge," says Karem.
Total cost of the project is about $26 million. The $6.5 million to build the ramp on the Kentucky side was paid for with private funds. The rest of the cost is public money. Another private fundraising effort is underway to add a little flair to the bridge at night.
"We have a serious desire to do decorative lighting on this bridge," explains Karem. "We will fund raise for decorative lighting to make the bridge really a jewel."
Work on the Indiana side of the bridge will continue until June, so for awhile those who use the bridge will have to turn around and come back to Kentucky.
Rules are being finalized on who can use the bridge. "It is primarily geared toward bicycles and pedestrians," says Karem, "steering away from things like skateboarders, in-line skates, and from motorized vehicles."
However, motorized wheelchairs will be allowed.
Karem expects the regulations to be approved on Wednesday by the Waterfront Development Corporation Board of Directors.
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