If you thought St. Daniels was a tolling atrocity, meet Mike Pence and his bridge fetish.

Growth for the sake of growth: The ideology of the cancer cell. Anyone heard what Mike Pence thinks about independent small business?

Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing; Ellspermann joins Pence on tour after being announced as Lt. Gov. choice, by Daniel Suddeath (Pop Up Picayune)

NEW ALBANY — Defining the area as primed for growth, Indiana gubernatorial hopeful Mike Pence toured Southern Indiana Friday along with running mate Sue Ellspermann, who was announced Monday as the GOP lieutenant governor choice.

During a stop at the News and Tribune office in New Albany, Pence talked about economic development, educational advances and one of the region’s biggest issues — the Ohio River Bridges Project.

“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.

When asked about the tolling aspect of the project — which as planned would entail the addition of downtown and east end bridges as well as the reconfiguration of Spaghetti Junction — and concerns by some that Hoosiers will be paying more than Kentucky residents, Pence said Indiana has been leading the effort on the proposal.

“I support the bridges agreement and concept, and I support the process that’s under way,” he said.

Pence added “the full weight” of his administration would be behind implementing the project, though he didn’t specifically refer to tolling as a part of the plan.