"If a factory is torn down but the rationality which produced it is left standing then that rationality will simply produce another factory. If a revolution destroys a government, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that government are left intact, then those patterns will repeat themselves...There's so much talk about the system. And so little understanding."
-Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Perhaps it's a bit early in the "adjustment" period, but the above quote shared by reader Josh and a neighbor's mention of how pleasant New Albany's downtown can be without the noise of interstate traffic have me (re)thinking.
Let's suppose the Sherman Minton Bridge needs replacement. The current projected cost of a new East End Bridge sans tunnel and other approaches is $406 million. One assumes a new Sherman Minton might come with a similar price tag. That's a lot. Given that level of expenditure, would merely replicating an interstate bridge really be the best investment of those dollars?
Haven't a lot of our issues in terms of urban devaluation and decay ridden shotgun on the destruction of Scribner Park and the insertion of an interstate into our downtown street grid and lives? The city's oft-referenced 20th century heyday was an interstate free affair.
Like Steve Wiser's better cross-river plan (PDF) in response to the Ohio River Bridges Project, could we be better served by two local access New Albany bridges, transit options, and park and rides on the perimeter and, like 8664, the removal of the Great Wall of the West End? Aren't a lot of the points we've all made about the downtown portion of the Bridges Project in general as true for New Albany specifically? That our neighborhood streets have become cut through highways and both our green and building spaces mostly unused surface parking might provide a clue.
Before we get too caught up in partisan bickering over paying for it, it may be a good idea to consider what we actually want.
7 comments:
Pre-Shermageddon, I thought 86-64 could be the best plan for the region if rigorous traffic studies (which have never been performed) showed that it, over the long run, would be sufficient to meet certain goals. It certainly is the best plan from a quality of life standpoint. Similar plans are working in other cities, cities experiencing high levels of job growth. While I haven’t seen anything proving it would work here, I’ve also haven’t seen anything proving that it wouldn’t.
Jeff, I believe you’re hinting at 86-64 New Albany style. Instead of axing the portion of I-64 from Louisville’s 9th St. to I-65, the portion of I-64 through New Albany to Louisville, from the Lee Hamilton to the Watterson, would see the axe.
Let’s talk hypotheticals. Imagine if we tore down the elevated portion of the Sherman Minton through New Albany. The grand park that once stood at the city’s center, the one buried under the approach ramps, the one once complete with charming central water fountain and promenade, would be restored. Traffic would flow via new local access bridges roughly parallel to the K&I a la the Wiser Plan. Significant new traffic development would travel through an upgraded Vincennes St. With new traffic comes new investment. The area near Bicknell Park and Loop Island, between Vincennes St. and Silver Creek, would become much more valuable real estate. The city would pass a new zoning overlay for this area near the new bridge, ensuring sound land use decisions. Since much of the construction would be new, and since property owners are seeing previously unimagined values, tight land use policies would see less opposition than otherwise would be the case, especially as sold as a package deal with the new bridge that is making them suddenly rich.
Such a plan would be transformative for New Albany, bigger than anything since the collapse of the steamboat industry.
Problem is, while New Albany disproportionally bears the burden of having an Interstate cut through its heart, any plan to permanently rid Floyd Co. of an Interstate river crossing will see opposition from every commuter and business between Greenville and Mauckport. Broken interstate bridges are serious business, so this may be one of the few times in New Albany where money is not the main obstacle. However, for any such plan to get off the ground, it’s going to have to keep the Greenville and Mauckport crowd at least somewhat happy.
Then again, if the engineers do say we must completely scrap the Sherman Minton, what happens next? I presume construction on a new bridge begins before the old one is down. If the new one is not immediately next to the existing bridge, what swath of downtown New Albany gets bulldozed for the new approach ramps? I bet it would be the West End, at least half of which would vanish despite any attempts by Coffey to the contrary.
If a new bridge is built, in a new place, bulldozing the West End requires the least amount of money spent on Right-of-Way acquisition. Moving the route a few hundred feet further south would require either tunneling below or blasting through Silver Hills, which won’t happen.
While virtually inconceivable that the Feds would go another route given the existing right-of-way, another option exists that both avoids hilly topography and rids downtown of the interstate, all while keeping mostcommuters happy: Corydon Pike.
"..New Albany's downtown can be without the noise of interstate traffic have me (re)thinking."
Is everyone aware Mayor England's main contribution to the public interest during the recent bridge closure was to have INDOT leave open I-64 to New Albany ramps. That's convenient for many. But what is in effect happening? Main Street is now an interstate highway!
My neighbors and I are bearing a disportionate burden as semi-tractor trailers shake buildings on Main St from 5-11am and again between 3-6pm. Not only is getting to Louisville stressful, we aren't getting enough sleep because of the f@#&in traffic 10 feet from our home.
I have lived with the noise from 64 running front of my house for 9 years. When the bridge was shut down it was quiet for once. I didn't realize how loud it was until it started back up again. Well it louder actually . The road itself is made of something that actually makes it louder. The semi pull the air or jack brakes, what ever they are called, coming out of the knobs. It is so terrible and constant. I hate going out side. It will never be fixed and no one will ever buy this house because of it. Thanks to all who contributed, including myself. I bought a house without knowing what kinda place I was moving too.
My home, outside, experiences a constant pollution of 100 decibels. Anything above 85 is considered hazardous to ones health.
I have already reported this to indoor and anyone else who will listen. No help, no luck, no solution, no way they are going to do anything about it.
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