New gantries will be erected for updated equipment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2022) – The Joint Board for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project met today and approved two resolutions related to the operations of the RiverLink tolling system.

One of the resolutions is related to new gantries in the project area. It authorizes the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to move forward with the design and procurement of new gantries to prepare for a new roadside provider. A gantry is the physical structure onto which electronic tolling equipment is mounted. A consultant will help with the design work and procurement efforts. A vendor will be selected and installation will be coordinated at a later date.

With a new roadside provider expected to be in place in 2023, Indiana and Kentucky are moving forward with preparations that will expedite the transition and ensure continuity for motorists. New gantries will be erected near existing gantries at the tolled Lincoln, Kennedy and Lewis and Clark bridges.

Exact locations will be identified during the design process, but the gantries are expected to be around 100 feet away from existing gantries to prevent interference for sensors that rely on radio frequency technology.

Existing gantries may stay in place for possible future use. New gantries are anticipated to be erected to the side of the road and installed over the roadway when the new equipment is in place. This two-step process will help to limit disruptions to traffic and minimize needed lane closures.

The cameras and sensors on the gantries are used to capture crossings on tolled bridges and help determine vehicle classification.

Existing tolling equipment is nearing the end of its lifespan. Roadside tolling equipment typically has a 7 to 10-year life span. Tolling started at the end of 2016.

New Back Office Provider

In addition to a new roadside provider, a new back office provider is expected to be in place in 2023. Electronic Transaction Consultants (ETC) was selected as the new provider in June 2021. Back office services include image review, invoicing and customer service centers. ETC will operate walk-up centers in both states and a local customer service call center.

Additional Resolution

Another resolution passed today authorizes the Indiana Finance Authority to procure the services of a vendor or vendors to assist with the collection process. The vendor(s) could collaborate with the current and future toll services providers (TSP), Kapsch TrafficCom and ETC, to collect outstanding tolls and fees.

An outside vendor is expected to help ensure outstanding tolls are paid and that all drivers using the tolled bridges pay their fair share.

Note: The resolutions from the meeting are posted at RiverLink.com: https://riverlink.com/about/joint-board/