In this morning's Courier-Journal, we learn that Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville, a consistent advocate of the Ohio River Bridges Project's oligarchy enrichment and bridge tolling mobility solution, is "not inclined" to pursue eminent domain -- a resolution long contemplated -- to wrest the K & I Bridge from Norfolk Southern's leaden, obstructionist hands and open it for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
In political terms, Fischer's a complete wuss, and the Republican would have been better elected. How many times do you hear me say that?
But Jerry, here's the question: If the bridges project is supposed to be about "mobility solutions," and if we'll have to pay an unfair tax (i.e., tolls) to cross the new ones in cars, then why wasn't the K & I part of the planned "mobility solution" from the very start? Shouldn't using it be on the ORBP's front burner, along with the remainder of the new construction projects? If it's all about mobility, then shouldn't all mobility be on the table?
While I'm at it, what ever happened to that Hoosier small business economic impact study, anyway?
(And they wonder why we write the things we write ... discussion at Facebook, too)
Has there ever been any examples of a bridge that is privately own and operated and still in use being condemned?
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't Norfolk Southern governed under the FRA? Does Fisher have jurisdiction to condemn?
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ReplyDeleteDang, saw that there were two comments and was excited that maybe Mr. Finn had answered.
ReplyDeleteBetween him and Coffey, 2012 is already seeming a whole lot like 2011.