Bridges Authority Meeting Receives Positive Coverage

as compiled by Kay Stewart with the Bridges Coalition

Below is a roundup of coverage from the Authority meeting on February 10th. Much of the coverage was positive, with stories focusing on financing options and the finance plan moving forward based on interviews with Authority Chairman Joe Prather. Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan’s pro-bridges commentary and call for action, and Joe Reagan’s comments relating to the 56,000 jobs that will be created during construction also are mentioned. FOX41 included an interview with a Prospect Kentucky resident who attended the meeting and wants the project built. He doesn’t like the idea of tolls, but said he understands they may be needed.

Finance plan for bridge possible in six months
The Courier-Journal
Indiana and Kentucky finance officials said a plan to fund the $4.1 billion Ohio River Bridges project could be put together in five or six months.

Bi-state bridges authority looks for funding answers
Evening News and Tribune
... Indiana Bridges Authority began the business of trying to develop a funding strategy for the Ohio River Bridges Project at its second meeting Wednesday. ...
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KIPDA officials hope to get exemption to transportation funding problem
Louisville Business First
Both the short-term and long-term plans include work on the Ohio River Bridges Project, which does not yet have a funding mechanism. ...

Ohio River Bridges panel talks money
FOX41
Interviews with Joe Prather and a Prospect resident, Frank McCain, who is supportive of the project and says tolls may be the only way to ensure bridges are built.

Jeffersonville mayor looking for fast progress on Bridges Project

WAVETV
This report focuses on the “bridges project moving forward” and includes Mayor Tom Galligan’s comments with footage of an interview with Authority Chairman Joe Prather and Kentucky finance official Tom Howard.

Road to the Future: Kentucky’s Six-Year Road Plan

WHASTV

WHAS looks at the state’s proposed six-year road plan in this report from last week and mentions the Bridges Project.