Lewis and Clark Bridge Paves the Way for Autonomous Vehicles
The East End Crossing, also known as the Lewis and Clark Bridge, has officially stepped into the future. Spanning the Ohio River to connect southern Indiana and eastern Louisville, Kentucky, this vital transport link is no longer just a well-engineered piece of concrete and steel. It’s become a next-generation corridor equipped to handle the unique demands of autonomous vehicles (AVs).
With 24 miles (39 kilometres) of freshly updated, high-contrast pavement markings, the East End Crossing is now primed to support the safe navigation of self-driving vehicles. These changes aren’t superficial—they represent a technical leap toward smarter infrastructure, aligning with the evolving needs of modern mobility.
East End Crossing Partners, the joint venture between VINCI Highways and BBGI, spearheaded the upgrade. As one of the first bi-state public-private partnerships (P3s) in the United States, the project has continually demonstrated the power of collaboration to tackle emerging infrastructure challenges head-on.
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles—often referred to as AVs, self-driving cars, or driverless vehicles—are cars that use advanced technologies to perform the functions of a human driver. This includes acceleration, braking, steering, and navigation. These vehicles rely on a combination of technologies, including:
- Cameras and computer vision for recognising road markings, signs, and traffic lights
- Radar and lidar systems for detecting surrounding vehicles and obstacles
- GPS and inertial navigation systems for precise positioning
- Onboard computers with machine learning algorithms to interpret data and make decisions in real-time
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) categorises autonomous vehicles into six levels, from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation in all conditions). Many modern cars today feature Level 2 assistance systems—like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control—but Level 3 autonomy is where cars can take full control under specific conditions without human input.
Why Lane Markings Matter for Autonomous Vehicles
It’s easy to overlook the importance of road paint, but for AVs, it’s everything. Lane markings provide critical visual data that vehicle cameras and machine vision algorithms rely on to stay in-lane, navigate junctions, and make informed driving decisions. The more precise and visible the markings, the better the vehicle can interpret its surroundings.
Here’s what makes the new markings at East End Crossing AV-friendly:
- Enhanced dashed lines: Standard white dashes, each 10 feet long and 6 inches wide, now feature an added 10-foot black trailing stripe. This black-white contrast dramatically improves visibility for cameras, especially in dim light, rain, or snow.
- Improved intersection lines: Stop bars and directional markings at junctions have also been extended with matching black trailing stripes, each 3 feet long, to boost machine detection of key navigational cues.
Together, these updates reduce the chances of a vehicle misinterpreting faded or low-contrast markings—common causes of AV confusion or hesitation.
AV Infrastructure Compliance
The upgraded markings comply fully with Indiana Highway standards, which mandate uniformity and high visibility for roads across the state network. This ensures that both human drivers and automated systems can interpret lane guidance and intersection instructions consistently.
The Indiana Finance Authority, which serves as the granting authority, worked closely with East End Crossing Partners to certify compliance and oversee project validation. That layer of accountability ensures that AVs traversing this corridor can rely on infrastructure that meets both state and international safety benchmarks.
Requirements for AV-Ready Roads
Transforming a road into an AV-compatible corridor involves more than repainting lines. A truly AV-ready highway incorporates multiple features:
- Robust, consistent lane markings that remain visible in adverse weather
- Clear and standardised signage in sizes, positions, and reflectivity that machine vision systems can interpret
- Accurate mapping data to integrate with HD maps used by AVs
- Communication infrastructure such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) nodes for live updates (where applicable)
- Well-maintained surfaces free of obstructions, debris, or potholes that could mislead sensors
- Predictable traffic patterns and logical lane geometry to reduce algorithmic complexity
These elements must work together in harmony to ensure safety and reliability, not only for AVs but for all road users.
Riding the Wave of a Self-Driving Revolution
The AV industry is advancing fast. In the United States, several automakers—like Mercedes-Benz, Waymo, Tesla, and Honda—have already deployed Level 3 vehicles in select locations. Regulatory frameworks, meanwhile, are playing catch-up, with states like California, Arizona, Texas, and Indiana establishing pilot zones and updating laws to accommodate the rise of driverless mobility.
The potential benefits are enormous:
- Improved road safety: Most accidents stem from human error. AVs don’t text, drink, or get distracted.
- Reduced congestion: AVs optimise traffic flow, braking and accelerating more efficiently than human drivers.
- Fuel savings: Smarter driving means less idling and smoother driving patterns.
- Accessibility: AVs could offer newfound independence for elderly or disabled individuals.
East End Crossing’s timely upgrade positions it squarely in the vanguard of infrastructure prepared to meet these evolving demands.
Pioneering the PPP Model for Next-Gen Mobility
Opened ahead of schedule in 2016, the East End Crossing has always been a model of effective public-private collaboration. Its original goals included relieving congestion, reducing travel time, and enhancing regional connectivity. Now, with this forward-thinking upgrade, it’s also playing a strategic role in the national conversation around future transport infrastructure.
The project’s environmental and financial track record also stands out. It earned top-tier environmental certification and underwent successful refinancing via green bonds, reflecting its sustainable credentials. By integrating AV readiness into its lifecycle, it now showcases the adaptability and foresight of the P3 model.
“By upgrading pavement markings to suit the needs of autonomous vehicles, East End Crossing Partners reaffirm the role PPPs can play in future-proofing infrastructure,” said a VINCI spokesperson. “It’s not just about roads—it’s about the mobility systems of tomorrow.”
The Engineering Detail
Executing such an upgrade required a meticulous engineering process. Planners had to assess every inch of road, coordinate with traffic safety teams, and schedule repainting around traffic patterns to minimise disruption.
The logistics of painting 24 linear miles—especially with precise black trailing stripes—meant operating within tight tolerances. Machines needed to calibrate line widths, paint thickness, and drying times in real-world conditions. All of it had to align with the standards, withstand weather fluctuations, and offer durability against wear and tear.
Efficiency and Execution
Let’s take a look at the raw figures behind the transformation:
- 24 linear miles (39 kilometres) of upgraded pavement markings
- 96 total work hours to complete the upgrade
- 100% compliance with Indiana Highway standards
- Markings include high-contrast striping for enhanced camera detection
- Intersections redesigned for AV precision and readability
These numbers might look modest at first glance—but in AV terms, they’re monumental.
VINCI Highways
VINCI Highways isn’t new to this game. As part of the larger VINCI Group, the company manages a portfolio of 3,750 kilometres of infrastructure in 14 countries. From bridges and tunnels to toll roads and urban highways, VINCI combines engineering discipline with digital innovation.
Their goal? Not just to keep people moving—but to make mobility safer, cleaner, and smarter. This means embracing trends like autonomous driving, electric vehicle integration, and smart tolling systems. Projects like the East End Crossing exemplify their commitment to engineering roads that meet the future head-on.
A Model for Future Infrastructure
As autonomous mobility continues to evolve, roads like East End Crossing will become increasingly common. But they won’t appear by accident. They’ll emerge through conscious investment, inter-agency cooperation, and a willingness to adopt new ideas before they become necessities.
By taking this proactive step, East End Crossing shows that infrastructure doesn’t have to play catch-up. It can lead the way.
