River Fields Files Lawsuit To Stop East End Bridge
Rendering of East End Bridge (via ORBP)
The Courier-Journal just broke the news that River Fields, a group opposing the East End Bridge in favor of a Downtown-only option, has co-filed a lawsuit with the National Trust for Historic Preservation claiming that Federal approval of the Ohio River Bridges Project in the Record of Decision is not valid. Here’s a quote from the C-J:
“The groups claim the federal government didn’t justify its selection of a two-bridge project; relied on misleading information on the need for an eastern Jefferson County bridge; failed to adequately consider possible impacts, such as construction delays and the effects on nearby historic properties; and failed to prepare an updated environmental report.
…
“And it alleges that the government’s approval of the project and the eastern bridge route was “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion” and in violation of the federal Department of Transportation Act.”
Can’t say this move was completely unexpected, but it certainly came down to the wire with only two days remaining to file suit. We’ll have more on the unfolding story later and what it means for the 8664.org proposal and the Ohio River Bridges Project overall.
Similar stories from Broken Sidewalk:
- 8664 Study Released & Fighting That East End Bridge
- Closed or Open? City Reconsiders River Road Bridge
- Bridges Project Turns Second Street Bridge Into An Off-Ramp
- Bridge Building And A Quicker, Cheaper Alternative
- Another Call For A Toll Free Bridges Solution
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Patrick
September 10th, 2009
12:05 pm
0Are these groups who would like to see a Downtown Bridge saying that the historic sites that will be affected in the East End are somehow more important than the ones in the downtown neighborhoods such as Butchertown? I know it is only part of the argument, but just curious. And to think, at least in my understanding of the situation, we gave up pursuit of a Light Rail project for the debacle that is the Bridges Project. Sad.
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David E.
September 10th, 2009
1:02 pm
0River Fields is the biggest obstructionist to this project. If anything needs to happen, especially for historic preservation, is an East End bridge only and scrapping the downtown option. There is one house in the East End that could possibly be affected. It wouldn’t have to be destroyed (unlike the properties downtown), but its backyard would be affected.
Plus, their interference with the single-lane bridge repairs is an attempt to constrict a vital construction route to the East End bridge site.
I’m guessing RF gets most its funding from the Glenview clans who do not want the East End bridge. That is a sad reason for fighting it. This region needs more fluid movement across the river. It would open up so much economic opportunity. But, those who already have “theirs” don’t worry about that.
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Jeff Gillenwater
September 10th, 2009
1:46 pm
0That the National Trust has signed on with a band of hypocrites who have for years favored the destruction of numerous historic properties as mentioned is an embarrassment for legitimate preservationists and the country.
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Patrick, you’re right, and also consider the historic buildings that will be crushed to widen Hospital Curve on I-65.
Jeff, I consider myself a pragmatic preservationist, and I am likewise horrified by what is really a NIMBYist group posing as preservationists.
I give my own special take on this at Louisville History & Issues: http://www.historyandissues.org/louisville/viewtopic.php?t=1515
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Patrick
September 10th, 2009
4:50 pm
0Why aren’t more people living near Cherokee Park up in arms about what is possibly coming their way if I-64 is reconfigured along with spaghetti junction?
Has there been a study done to see what would be expected to happen to property values near the East End Bridge? I mean a real study with reputable data backing it up and not some wild assumptions. I would be interested in knowing what that research would uncover.
The whole business of the bridges project bothers me because we are not being leveled with here. Perhaps there is some rational reason that there is such a push back to 86-64, such as maybe not wanting to piss off some of the big industry in town who rely on the ability to cut through the middle of our city to get to points beyond as efficiently as possible. Depending on ones view, this could be a very logical reason not to look more deeply into such a proposal. But I wish someone would just come out and say, “I know that 86-64 and other ideas of this kind appear to make a lot of sense and in many ways do, but if we took out the highway, we would be jeopardizing thousands of jobs to accomplish this and if we loose those jobs, who is going to be left to enjoy the reconnection to the river?”
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David E.
September 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
0Patrick, the Mayor has said that numerous times. He claims we are, now, a choke point for the region, which isn’t good since we are a logistics hub. But, the bridges are hugely political. The sensible option is building an east end span, connecting the insitu infrastructure, and then examining need. But, politics wouldn’t let that happen.
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