In other words, here's an idea that makes so much sense it will never be taken seriously.
Local architect and author Steve Wiser has come up with a plan that would result in three new bridges, be completed in five years at a savings of $2.7 billion. It would not require tolls.
Folly, you say. Maybe. But read Wiser's document. It eliminates the need for the $261 million Drumanard Estate tunnel, suggesting that it could be duplicated elsewhere at a tenth of the cost.
The key to the plan is the construction of the East End Bridge plus two new local access bridges downtown, one parallel to the Clark Memorial and the other beside the K&I Bridge.
From Wiser's document:
This reasonable approach will save $2.7 billion and thus minimize any need for tolls. Bridges can be affordable, greatly improve traffic, and increase economic development potential. For a logistics dependent community, metro Louisville cannot wait any longer.
Included in Wiser's document is a 50-year history of our community's efforts to build a new bridge across the Ohio.
Wiser is sending a letter with details of the plan to the city's key civic leaders today.
Call me a skeptic, but I doubt Wiser's plan is going to alter the misguided course that our leadership is taking with regard to building bridges, and the determination to use tolls to pay for bridges that, at best, would not be built for another two decades.
If the Mayor and civic leaders bother to look at Wiser's plan at all, they'll surely dismiss it much in the same way they've done for the 8664 idea. Even though that plan is supported by plenty of smart designers and people who study such things.
I hope Mr. Wiser's distribution list includes local & state political candidates.
Uh - Is this called "The Wiser Metro Bridge Plan?" It is certainly "wiser" to jettison that tunnel near an "estate" that no one ever heard of until they demanded a tunnel. (Guess they are jealous of the property that got its own bridge during interstate construction.)
I would be surprised if there's a single mayoral candidate outside of Tyler Allen that would look at this plan.
The claim among the "status quo" candidates is that the ORBP ship has sailed. No one is interested in fighting it. Tolls ahoy!
The real tragedy is that no on in power can imagine a better use for the $3 billion that an expanded spaghetti monstrosity and yet another downtown bridge is going to cost us.
We should build the east end bridge and then SEE if we need yet another bridge downtown.
Speaking of spaghetti junction, also referenced as Malfunction Junction:
The powers-that-be seldom like anyone to remind the public of tax monies used to fabricate & install HEATING ELEMENTS in the portions of the junction that were anticipated to become hazardous during icing conditions. THEY NEVER WORKED.
Yes, East End Bridge first. (Please don't name anything after Abramson.) Let's see what, if anything, is needed afterwards. Well, YOU ALL see; it probably will be beyond my life expectancy.
In other words, here's an idea that makes so much sense it will never be taken seriously.
3
