Touting the Opening of the Lewis and Clark Bridge

American Structurepoint congratulates the entire Kentuckiana community on the December 18 opening of the new Lewis and Clark Bridge and East End Crossing public-private-partnership project.

The $2.3 billion Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project, which also includes a new downtown bridge crossing, truly is a major achievement 40 years in the making and turns the page on the start of a new era of economic opportunity and cross-river mobility for the entire region.

The East End Crossing project covers 8.5 miles of roadway that connects an area just east of Jeffersonville, Indiana, to the eastern edge of suburban Louisville. The Indiana portion extends Indiana 265 four miles to the Ohio River from its previous termination at SR 62. The Kentucky portion extends Kentucky 841 from its previous end at US 42 and includes a pair of 1,700-foot tunnels beneath US 42 and the historic Drumanard Estate.

Its centerpiece is a stunning 2,500-foot cable-stay bridge spanning the Ohio River. The bridge also features 2 diamond towers rising 300 feet above the river and a shared-used path for pedestrians and bicyclists. American Structurepoint served as the design firm for Section 6 of the project, which is the portion located in Indiana.

The project brings many benefits to the area. Chief among them are improved traffic safety and an anticipated reduction in traffic congestion in downtown Louisville by providing an alternate route for crossing the Ohio River. The new roadways and bridge also are expected to dramatically increase the region’s role in the nation’s freight economy. Indiana Governor-elect Eric Holcomb estimates an economic impact of more than $87 billion throughout the region over the next 30 years.

Great things are happening in this area as well as at the nearby River Ridge Commerce Center, the 6,000-acre former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant being transformed into a thriving business and manufacturing center.

American Structurepoint is so grateful, proud, and honored to be among the many firms joining together to improve the quality of life in this region. Here’s to continued growth – the best is yet to be.

A season for giving

The holiday season – and its emphasis on giving – is now in full swing. Giving back to the communities that have helped us achieve our success is a cherished value at American Structurepoint. We believe in the importance of year-round giving and continual community service because we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Our employees volunteer their time to serve organizations such as Dream Alive, Meals on Wheels, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, and the ACE Mentor Program. We also provide financial support to dozens of causes and organizations throughout the year, such as the Thirst Project to build water wells in Swaziland. We are extremely excited about our $250,000 gift to expand quality Project Lead the Way STEM education programs in all Indianapolis Public Schools. This investment to boost STEM skills in young people, which we made to celebrate our 50^th year of business, is the perfect ‘thank you’ to the city of Indianapolis that we believe will pay many dividends for years to come.

Each group and cause that we support has a story. In nearly every case, that story continues to unfold. The need is great in communities near and far, from those in our own backyard to those on the other side of the globe. At this time of year, I urge you to find a cause that speaks to your heart, to the values you live by, and give whatever you can. Your support could make a big difference in someone’s story.

Prior to December, our Give Back program has supported 40 organizations in 2016. We look to increase that support to an additional 30 groups in December as our Give Back program shifts into high gear.

We are honored to have assisted these groups this year: Backpack Attack (Indianapolis), Flood Relief in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Big Brothers and Sisters of Central Ohio, Catholic Charities of Genesee County, Michigan – Water for Flint Michigan, Camp Reveal (Evansville), Dayspring Center (Indianapolis), In Memory of Derek Knowling (Indiana), Dream Alive (Indianapolis), Faith, Hope & Love Community (Indianapolis), Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, IPS Northwest High School food pantry and uniform closet (Indianapolis), JasperStrong (Greenwood), Julian Center (Indianapolis), Lazarus Living (Indianapolis), LifeCare Alliance (Columbus, Ohio), Line of Duty Fund (Dallas, Texas), Meals on Wheels (Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio), Million Meals Movement (Indianapolis), Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Morning Light (Indianapolis), Mozel Sanders Foundation (Indianapolis), National Foundation for Transplants, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, Packapalooza Day of Service (Lake Area United Way), Paw Pantry at Fall Creek Valley Middle School (Indianapolis), Pals on Patrol (Noblesville), Salvation Army (tornado relief), Schools on Wheels (Indianapolis), Scholarship Africa (Indianapolis), Serving Sistas, (Indianapolis) Teachers’ Treasures (Indianapolis), The Sharing Place Food Pantry (Indianapolis), Thirst Project (international effort), Vanderburgh County Foundation (Evansville), Vanderburgh County CASA , (Evansville) Wabash Valley Community Foundation (Terre Haute, Indiana), and two families needing financial help.

Happy holidays to all.