On April 27, Louisville MSD hosted prospective contractors, including Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs), at an Information Session concerning the Ohio River Tunnel Project, a 2.5-mile tunnel approximately 200 feet below the surface. MSD personnel outlined the schedule for the project, encouraging contractors to submit bids once the work is advertised.
Prime Contractors and certified M/WBEs had the opportunity to connect at this informational session concerning MSD’s Ohio River Tunnel Project. MSD requires Prime Contractors to subcontract with certified Minority-owned firms for 15 percent, and certified Women-owned firms for 6 percent of the contract value.
This tunnel will take the place of three proposed basin projects—Lexington and Payne; Story and Main; and, Thirteenth and Rowan streets. The construction of this deep-rock tunnel will be less disruptive—than the construction of the three basins and their conveyance lines—for the downtown business district, Butchertown business district and for traffic in the affected neighborhoods during the two-to-three year construction period. Additionally, the Ohio River Tunnel Project offers the same storage capacity as the three proposed basins for about the same cost.
This tunnel and other associated infrastructure is estimated to be a $200 million construction project. Every $1 spent on water and wastewater infrastructure generates $2.62 of economic benefit for a community.
