[Editor: This is a news release from RiverLink, the Ohio River Bridges toll system.]
RIVERLINK: OPERATIONAL UPDATE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2017) – Tolling started just over two weeks ago on three Ohio River bridges connecting Louisville and Southern Indiana. Tolling on the new SR 265 Lewis and Clark Bridge, the new I-65 Abraham Lincoln Bridge and the improved I-65 Kennedy Bridge started Dec. 30.
Nearly 193,000 RiverLink transponders have been requested to date, including nearly 158,000 RiverLink local transponders and more than 35,000 RiverLink E-ZPass transponders.
Supplies of RiverLink local transponders for passenger vehicles have been depleted. Additional supplies are expected in February. Drivers with prepaid RiverLink accounts will pay the lowest rates while waiting for transponders to arrive. RiverLink E-ZPass transponders remain in stock.
Nearly 90,000 RiverLink accounts have been opened to date. Drivers with prepaid accounts and transponders pay the lowest rates.
Week Two of Tolling (Monday, Jan. 9 – Friday, Jan. 13)
Total Crossings = 399,779
Average Crossings/Day = 79,955
Average Transponder Usage = 52.5%
Lincoln Bridge = 161,586 crossings (average of 32,317 daily)
Kennedy Bridge = 164,322 crossings (average of 32,864 daily)
Lewis and Clark Bridge = 73,871 crossings (average of 14,774 daily)
Week One of Tolling (Monday, Jan. 2 – Friday, Jan. 6*)
Total Crossings = 395,830
Average Crossings/Day = 79,166
Average Transponder Usage = 45%
Lincoln Bridge = 167,178 crossings (average of 33,436 daily)
Kennedy Bridge = 150,615 crossings (average of 30,123 daily)
Lewis and Clark Bridge = 78,037 (average of 15,607 daily)
*Lower traffic was observed on Monday, which was a holiday for many drivers. Lower traffic was also seen on Thursday, with light snow in the area.
Waiting for Transactions to Post
Drivers should allow several days for their trips over tolled bridges and transactions to post. Drivers with RiverLink transponders mounted in their vehicles will typically see toll activity post to their accounts within 24-48 hours. If the transaction is being reviewed, it may take several days to post.
It will take several days for drivers waiting for transponders to arrive to see their trips post on their account. License plates are scanned and matched to prepaid accounts.
The frequent-user discount is automatic, but 40 trips must post before the discount is received. It can take several days for transactions to post. The frequent-user credit will post after the 40th trip is recorded for the month of January, even if the trip doesn’t post until February.
If drivers still have questions after allowing ample time for transactions to post, an email is the easiest way to check account activity. Drivers can direct their questions to riverlink.inquiry@riverlink.com. Drivers should include their license plate number, account number and transponder number.
Callback Feature Now in Place
High demand has led to lengthy hold times for drivers calling RiverLink (855-RIV-LINK). A callback feature is in place for the morning, midday and early afternoon hours. Drivers who spend five minutes on hold have the option of leaving a preferred callback number.
The callback feature is offered through 3 p.m., to ensure representatives have time to return calls for the day.
Replenishing Accounts
With tolling underway, it’s important for drivers to monitor their account balance. If drivers reach a zero or negative balance, they will pay higher toll rates and crossings won’t count toward the frequent-user discount.
Drivers can link a credit card, debit card or checking account to their prepaid RiverLink account, to automatically replenish their account when reaching a low balance. The minimum replenishment amount is $20. Drivers with auto-replenishment need to have an updated, valid payment option associated with their account.
Drivers can also choose to receive a low-balance alert. When their RiverLink account reaches a low balance, drivers will receive an e-mail alert, and will then need to add more money to their prepaid account. Additional funds can be added online, by phone or in person at a customer service center.
Opening a RiverLink Account
RiverLink is the name of the new, all-electronic tolling system. There’s no stopping, no slowing, no lines and no coin machines. Toll rates range from $2-$12, depending on the size of vehicle and whether the driver has a prepaid RiverLink account and transponder.
Drivers can open a RiverLink account online at www.RiverLink.com, by phone at 855-RIV-LINK or in person at one of two RiverLink customer service centers.
Customer service centers are located at 400 E. Main St. in Louisville and 103 Quartermaster Ct. in Jeffersonville. The centers are open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday. They are also open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.
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The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project includes two new bridges and their approaches, an improved Kennedy Bridge and reconstruction of the Kennedy Interchange, where I-65, I-64 and I-71 come together in downtown Louisville. The new Abraham Lincoln Bridge carries six lanes of I-65 northbound traffic. The improved Kennedy Bridge carries six lanes of southbound traffic. The Lewis and Clark Bridge connects the Gene Snyder Freeway in Prospect, Ky. with State Road 265 (Lee Hamilton Highway) in Utica, Ind. Find more details on the Ohio River Bridges Project at www.kyinbridges.com.
Contact:
Mindy Peterson
RiverLink spokesperson
502.595.8704