KYTC has issued the request for qualifications in process to pick three teams to compete to build a new I-65 bridge in Louisville and rebuild interstate connections on both sides of the Ohio River.
To spur competition among the finalists, KYTC will offer $1.5 million stipends to the two teams not selected for the project. KYTC will retain all innovative concepts developed by the teams for possible use by the selected bidder. It said that this best-practice approach has been used successfully in other states to lower overall project costs, spur innovation and speed construction.
Interest in the project is high, with nearly 500 people already registered for a pre-bid conference to be held on 1 March. The meeting is mandatory for contractors who intend to be the lead of a design-build team. Every company interested in bidding on the project should send a representative, said KTC.
The request for qualifications (RFQ) seeks design-build teams of bridge- and road-building professionals that will be judged on their proven experience, innovative ideas, inclusion of minorities and women in the workforce and ability to deliver the best value on schedule.
Under the RFQ, all teams will be required to submit their qualifications by 2 April and the cabinet will select the three competing finalists by 16 April. Teams will spend the summer developing specific proposals.
The schedule calls for the winning team to be selected in October, allowing preliminary construction work to begin before year’s end. The project includes a new downtown I-65 bridge, overhauling the existing Kennedy Bridge, rebuilding the downtown Louisville interchange and new interstate connections in southern Indiana. It is scheduled for completion by 30 June 2018.
