After months of delays, Indiana side of the Big Four Bridge is almost complete.The final leg of construction was finished Monday, according to Indiana Department of Transportation spokesman Will Wingfield. And Jeffersonville city officials are expected to gain control of the ramp within the next few days.“Our involvement has pretty much ended at this point,” Wingfield says.Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation director David Karem says the barriers that block pedestrian access to the Indiana side are set to be removed as soon as INDOT approves the transfer of control.The Indiana side of the bridge has been delayed since the span opened to pedestrians last year. Most recently, construction crews were working to complete installation of lighted safety rails on the northern approach. “It has been the most discussed and sought after piece of Waterfront Park to get that ramp open and people are very excited about it,” Karem says.Les Merkley, Jeffersonville’s city attorney, says despite the delays and lack of communication between city leaders and INDOT, there is not expected to be any bad blood between the two organizations.“We’re just looking to the future,” he says. “We’re not going to dwell on the past.”Karem said says hopes to have both Indiana and Kentucky governors on hand for the ceremonial grand opening, which is set to be sometime in the coming weeks.
