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[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

http://www.urbanophile.com/2012/04/05/hoosiers-to-pay-80-of-local-tolls-for-ohio-river-bridges-project/

Another MTR alumnus, Aaron Renn.

[Henry]

It'll be nice when the whole I-265 outer loop is finished.

[ShawnP]

Yes these Eagles could stop the road. Riverfields is very, very Politically connected and this is the break they are looking for.

[Anthony_JK]

http://www.urbanophile.com/2012/04/05/hoosiers-to-pay-80-of-local-tolls-for-ohio-river-bridges-project/

Another MTR alumnus, Aaron Renn.

Interesting that he favors the "8664" proposal to reroute I-64 around the metro Louisville area.


Anthony

[Brandon]

http://www.urbanophile.com/2012/04/05/hoosiers-to-pay-80-of-local-tolls-for-ohio-river-bridges-project/

Another MTR alumnus, Aaron Renn.

Interesting that he favors the "8664" proposal to reroute I-64 around the metro Louisville area.

Anthony

Not really.  Aaron was always a bit anti-car on mtr.  He lives in an area near the Loop, IIRC, and I believe that colors his view of cars and freeways.  Those of us in less dense areas have a differing point of view.

[Brandon]

The only people who genuinely get screwed are people who live in Clarksville and Jeffersonville and commute to downtown Louisville, because they will have to pay tolls on a bridge that already exists.

Anybody commuting to the East End gets their toll costs offset by the reduction in gas costs due to a new, more direct route, and people commuting to downtown Louisville from anyplace other than Clarksville and Jeffersonville can use I-64 as a free alternative without too much added travel time.

Also, if Hoosiers are paying 80% of the tolls, then that means that they are benefiting from 80% of the trips on the new bridge, and that blog doesn't go into the positive economic impact that Clark County should see from having the new bridge.

Is it the best deal for Indiana?  No.  Is it a better deal than not building the bridge at all?  Absolutely.

As long as they use an electronic toll collection system, it shouldn't cause problems.  Indiana already uses I-Zoom (aka I-Pass aka EZ-Pass) up north along the Indiana Toll Road.  Should be easy enough to implement for the birdges.

[mukade]

Finalists chosen for both portions of the Ohio River Bridges Project (Indiana Economic Digest)

Seven Ohio River Bridges Project finalists named (Courier-Journal)

We'll see what happens in October.

[tdindy88]

Found this, this morning, from the local paper in Southern Indiana about a resolution from New Albany considering the bridges. You can read it below, but basically they call for building the East End bridge without any tolls and leaving the Downtown span alone, for now. Apparently, this was based off of similar resolution from Jeffersonville that wants sound barrier walls placed alongside I-64 and I-265 around New Albany if the tolls are kept on the new bridges, since there would be more traffic bypassing it (their thoughts, not mine.) Any thoughts on either of the communities' resolutions?

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.com/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=175&ArticleID=65029

[hbelkins]

If it takes tolls to build the East End Bridge, so be it.

I'm still not convinced of the need for a second downtown bridge.

If I'm staying in downtown Louisville for a conference, I take the Clark Memorial Bridge (US 31) if I need to go across the river. If I'm going to Indianapolis or points beyond, I typically take I-75, I-275 and I-74 and bypass Louisville. 

So I probably would not be affected by a toll on the Kennedy Bridge or its new sibling.

[cabiness42]

I'm fine with the tolls on the East End Bridge.  $1 toll each way still cost less than my gas savings at current prices.

[ShawnP]

I will use the east end bridge a lot. For Reds games it will be a time saver. Going to the Highlands I will use it and then back track on I-64 to the area.

[mukade]

"...Indiana will break ground in August on the East End Crossing of the Ohio River Bridges Project. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will advertise for bids beginning Wednesday to construct a portion of the project—a $5.5 million road extension that will ultimately connect the River Ridge Commerce Center to State Road 265 and the future East End Bridge... "


Indiana seeks bids for preparatory Ohio River Bridges work [INDOT]

[ShawnP]

I have seen a bid up for demolition work.

[codyg1985]

I have seen a bid up for demolition work.

Demolition of what?

[mgk920]

I have seen a bid up for demolition work.

Demolition of what?

Ahh, buildings that might be in the way?

 

Mike

[tidecat]

Not sure what needs to be demolished on the Indiana side, but I know Kentucky had bought at least 17 of the 18 homes to be demolished in Shadow Wood-not sure if the last holdout ever gave up or not.  The homes were valued at a combined $6.4 Million.

[ShawnP]

I have seen a bid up for demolition work.

Demolition of what?

Hopefully Bobby Knight's house.

[tdindy88]

This was the front page story in the Indianapolis Star, the word is out among Hoosiers (outside of Southern Indiana) about River Fields.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120610/NEWS/306100012/Why-Indiana-paying-255-million-tunnel-Kentucky?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com

Based on the comments page, there may be reports of a fire on the grounds of the precious estate in the future. That or River Fields could compensate Indiana for their failed attempt to cockblock the bridge project.

[mukade]

it is an irony is that Indiana does not even have a single tunnel, but will be building one in Kentucky.

[NE2]

it is an irony

[insert comment on prescriptive vs. descriptive language]

is that Indiana does not even have a single tunnel, but will be building one in Kentucky.

Buh? Indiana has a bunch of tunnels. Here's one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Tunnel

[mukade]

No road tunnels.

There are also pedestrian tunnels.

[cabiness42]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120620/NEWS/120620029/Feds-approve-controversial-255M-tunnel-into-Kentucky?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|IndyStar.com

The article focuses on the tunnel, but does mention that the FHA has approved the project.

[ShawnP]

Kentucky beat Indiana to the first work. Demo work just off I-65 to the west and to the south of Slugger Field (yes named after Louisville Sluggers). Indiana has bid out the first actual construction and should be breaking ground next month.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/19090029/demolition-begins-to-clear-way-for-bridges-project

[ljwestmcsd]

Here's another article regarding the demolition work in downtown Louisville, complete with a map:

http://brokensidewalk.com/2012/07/24/twelve-lane-highway-gets-started-with-ceremonial-wrecking-of-downtown/

[mukade]

Indiana Releases Final RFP for East End Crossing of Ohio River Bridges Project (INDOT)