8664 Envisions a Vibrant River City
For three years we have been promoting a positive solution to addresses the region's transportation and economic needs. We have over 10,000 supporters from around this region and have been endorsed by a growing number of neighborhood associations. Our vision is making sense to a lot of people.
But all the while, 8664 opponents - particularly Mayor Abramson and the Courier's Editorial Board - have said "it's too late" or "it just won't work." With the recent news of the East End Bridge delay, it appears that our opponents have been less than sincere. We believe their hostility towards our ideas actually comes from their opposition to the East End Bridge.
It's time for all of us to speak up.
History of ORBP
According to documents on the Ohio River Bridges Project ("ORBP") website, Louisville's first long-term transportation plan identified the East End Bridge "as an extremely important addition to the freeway system."
That was in 1969, the year Ford opened the truck plant on the Jefferson Freeway after being promised that the bridge would be completed. East End Bridge was reaffirmed in subsequent long-term plans in 1978 and 1993. As the beltway converged, momentum for the Bridge escalated.
But in 1994, Downtown Development Corporation ("DDC"), a private, non-profit - whose board was and is appointed by Mayor Abramson - released a study suggesting a Downtown Bridge should be the priority. The study concluded, incorrectly we believe, that the only way to correct Spaghetti Junction's traffic congestion was to rebuild it connected to a new Downtown Bridge.
Most people know River Fields has delayed the East End Bridge for decades. They continue to advocate for the expansion of Spaghetti Junction and a new Downtown Bridge. Mayor Abramson is doing his part. Rather than support the ORBP's plan to construct the East End Bridge first - as 8664 does - Mayor Abramson has pushed to accelerate the downtown portion of the project. The Mayor appointed Jim Welch, the past president of River Fields to the Board of DDC. DDC then became a founding member of the Build the Bridges Coalition and Mr. Welch was placed on that Board. The organization has raised undisclosed amounts of money - some from GLI dues - and employed a lobbying firm to take their message to Frankfort. Now the East End Bridge is delayed again. And tolls will only delay it further.
Build the East End Bridge
The citizens of this region are united in their support for building the East End Bridge and completing the I-265 beltway. It just makes sense. From a traffic perspective, dispersing regional traffic is the best way to avoid Spaghetti Junction-sized congestion. The East End Bridge will significantly reduce downtown traffic congestion. In fact, our study found that 35% of trucks coming south on I-65 go east through Spaghetti Junction.
From an economic standpoint, the East End Bridge will unite the region and our many assets. Thirty-five thousand Hoosiers "work" and "play" in Kentucky. They do a lot for our city and the region's economy. If we build the East End Bridge and enhance our downtown, we can stimulate significant job growth on both sides of the river.
How to Fix Spaghetti Junction
The ORBP's "fix" is a brand new 23 lane wide Spaghetti Junction. It will take our current traffic problems and make them bigger - increasing traffic, noise and pollution in the heart of our city. With a $1.749 Billion price tag, it doesn't even fix Hospital Curve. The result of 17 years of construction would be a historic river city dwarfed by concrete ramps and overpasses.
The 8664 approach addresses the root cause of downtown's interstate congestion: Spaghetti Junction's complexity. By removing westbound interstate traffic, 8664 dramatically simplifies the interchange. Ramps to and from the Kennedy Bridge can be expanded to two lanes. The traffic weave can be eliminated and we can improve access to downtown. View this redesign at www.8664.org/SJ.
Possibility City?
After building the East End Bridge and fixing Spaghetti Junction, we would restore the city's connection to the Ohio River by removing a section of elevated freeway from our waterfront. 8664 will cost roughly $2 Billion less than the ORBP, so why won't Mayor Abramson consider it? He doesn't support the East End Bridge. Period.
We represent over 10,000 people in this community who feel that there is a better way to solve our transportation problems. Urge Mayor Abramson, your Metro Council and State Representatives to take a thoughtful look at 8664. It just might be possible. Louisville's future is in our hands, so please speak up and help us make it happen.
Sincerely,
JC Stites
Tyler Allen
Leave a comment