City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

The College Street Pedestrian Bridge is located downtown in Riverfront Park and was completed in 1915. This historic truss bridge serves as a pedestrian bridge on the City's greenways network. In 2019, KYTC Bridge Inspection staff performed a bridge inspection that included an arm's length inspection of all non-redundant steel tension members as well as general inspection of the deck, superstructure, and substructure components. Recommended improvements and maintenance actions to various components of the structure were provided to the City.

While the deficiencies found do not pose an immediate threat to the overall stability of the bridge, inspection staff recommended the repair be made in the near future. Additionally, given the interest in developing Riverfront Park, it is anticipated that there will be more pedestrians utilizing the bridge in the near future.

FY2023 - An application was submitted and awarded for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant in the amount of $1,600,000. This funding is through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). This grant program has an 80/20 federal to local match requirement resulting in $400,000 required by the City for this project.

Contractors have completed tuck pointing and re-opened the bridge to pedestrian usage.

The Census Block 102.1 Right of Way Improvements Project is part of the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) in the BG Reinvestment Area. Under the NIP, long-term improvements are tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood. Input from both City staff and citizens at neighborhood meetings demonstrated a need for street and sidewalk improvements. The project consists of resurfacing a section of College Street from Riverview Drive to 3rd Ave, a road diet on College Street from Riverview Drive to 6th Ave. The project will also install new decorative signs and posts throughout the neighborhood as well as replace damaged sidewalk and entrance pavement throughout 102.1.

This project will incorporate a new roadway from the stub at the end of Bluegrass Farms Blvd (by Camping World) and connect to Plano Rd. just before the I-165 overpass. This project will satisfy the need for a new roadway to allow for future development and ease of access for vehicular traffic. This project will feature asphalt paving, sidewalk, curb & gutter, storm sewer infrastructure, drainage basins, future utility encasements, split encasements of existing utilities, and striping & signage. The project is currently out to bid.

Contract has been awarded to Scotty's Contracting & Stone LLC. Lone bidder for the amount of $2,368,920.77. Approximately 11 miles of city streets were paved with this contract.

Annual Street Resurfacing

The Sidewalk Improvement Program was initiated in FY2008 to foster a "walkable" city by providing sidewalks in areas where none exist, including both commercial and residential areas. Since that time, 17.48 miles of new sidewalk have been constructed or are pending. Construction projects generally include new sidewalk, curb and gutter, and ADA compliant ramps where necessary.

This project consists of construction of new sidewalk along sections of Riverwood Ave, Rodes Drive, Creekwood Avenue, Morgantown Road, and Rockingham Ave. Work includes excavation, sidewalk construction, ADA compliant handicap ramps, drive entrance construction, and minor drainage work. Total length of the project is approximately 5,600 linear feet.

Projected awarded to Baker Concrete with construction beginning in late July. Morgantown Road from Loop Ave to Old Morgantown Road complete, along with Rockingham Ave from Westen to Karen also completed in August. Construction moving on to Riverwood in September.

This project is TAP Grant funded focused on the need of providing a safer way for pedestrians to navigate streets and across major intersections in the Veterans Memorial and Gordon Avenue area. The project will mostly feature a 8'/10' wide greenway with two new refuge islands at the Veterans Memorial and Gordon Avenue intersection. This will allow a safe area for pedestrians to cross this intersection. Work will also include traffic signal/pedestrian signal improvements, concrete greenways, curb & gutter, ADA handicap ramps, and improved residential and commercial entrances. Construction will begin this summer.