We’ve been sitting on this information about the Bridges project for a few days, a delay we regret but believe you’ll understand, given the slow progression of action on the project in general.

First, some history. On June 19, the 8664.org organization surprised many bridge-construction followers by issuing a press release claiming that Gov. Steve Beshear was shifting money away from an East End Bridge. This action by 8664 surprised and outraged members of the state Transportation Cabinet, who quickly began calling media folks (even us!) to say that the 8664 release was baloney. Nothing has changed, they said.

Appearing before a panel of lawmakers in Frankfort a couple of days later, the Cabinet’s Mike Hancock repeated the company line — nothing has changed in the project and it’s a go for two bridges, and that the project is funded for at least two years. Fox 41 covered the action in Frankfort, and filed this report.

Fox41 reported that lawmakers wanted a “Plan B” from bridge planners, something the state is unwilling to consider until at least November, when it learns whether it will get $200 million in promised federal funding.

I asked the 8664 guys to make sense of all this confusing bridge talk. The organization’s Joe Burgan provided us with specifc responses to information in the Fox41 report. You won’t be surprised to learn that there’s some conflicting opinions.

FROM FOX41: Mike Hancock with the Transportation Cabinet told a panel of lawmakers Wednesday the bridges project is fully-funded for the next two years. Meaning there is no reason to deviate. At least for now.

8664 RESPONSE: The Senate plan would have fully funded the ORBP to the tune of $345 million this biennium, a stark contrast to the $231.5 million allotted in the Governor’s road plan. Hancock admitted as much Monday (June 23) in the Senate Transportation Committee meeting when questioned by senate President David Williams. Hancock responded that the $231.5 million probably will not be sufficient due to unexpected increased inflation in the last 60 days.

FOX41: “Until we come up with an authority we might as well face it. I don’t think these bridges will ever be built until we establish some tolls,” said Rep. Hubert Collins (D) Wittensvile.

8664: While tolling may solve the financial problems, tolls have a negative effect on cross river mobility, the number one reason we started talking about this project 40 years ago. Also, this is a bi-state project, meaning Indiana would have to sign off on tolling. Earlier this year Southern Indiana U.S. Rep Baron Hill issued a release stating his case against tolls. The argument being Kentucky’s portion of the project would be paid for by the 35,000 Hoosiers that commute to Louisville every day rather than Kentuckians. It should also be noted that tolling will most likely require a supplemental EIS (Environmental Impact Study)

FOX41: The state says changing the scope of project now would be costly and could delay the project for years.

8664: This has been the number one talking point regarding 8664 since implementing our plan would likely require a supplemental IES. What should be noted is that since the 8664 plan lies in the footprint of the current plan we would not have to start from square one as the last EIS was required to. Also, as has been stated by Transportation Sec. Joe Prather and several House members on this panel, the ORBP cannot be built without tolling - however tolling would change the scope of the project thus triggering a supplemental EIS.

Burgan wrote in an e-mail that all this indicates that the ORBP just isn’t going to get done the way it’s going:

“Skyrocketing construction and fuel prices have turned an antiquated plan into an impossible one - making it clear that the Ohio River Bridges Project will likely never be completed as planned. 8664 understands the need for an increased transportation infrastructure and balances that need with those of pedestrians and urban growth. It is our hope that 8664 will be the “Plan B” lawmakers are searching for. “