It is edge-of-seat time once again for local leaders who have been pushing for a new Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River.They are looking hopefully to the bipartisan infrastructure bill that is before Congress.Whether it's wishful thinking, spot-on analysis or guesswork, Kentucky's governor suggested Monday that tolls may not be a make-or-break issue after all.Andy Beshear said he is "waiting with bated breath" to see if President Joe Biden's administration will include the Brent Spence in the bipartisan bill. We've heard for decades how funding a new major artery requires a local match, defined by those who would make it as tolls."And right now I'm not sure that there's community support for that," Beshear told reporters.But at NKU Monday where he delivered grants for various projects, some involving transportation, the governor pinned hopes on large federal project thinking."I don't think where we are on tolls has anything to do with whether or not they're going to invest," Beshear said.Like vehicles on the 58-year-old covered span, optimism is inching forward once again. But the community has been down this well-traveled road many times."Transportation in this community is awful," Northern Kentucky Chamber President Brent Cooper said.He said the current situation is taking — as he put it — a brutal toll on commuters and commerce."We have employers who have lost employees because of the Brent Spence Bridge, who are unable to get new employees because of the Brent Spence Bridge. The Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the river are hearing this every day. So, something has to get done," Cooper said.When this year ends, the Brent Spence will have either been closed or limited to two lanes for over 13 months.Intrigued by the governor's remarks, he's nevertheless from Missouri about it."We would love it if tolls weren't necessary, believe me. But we don't know how that's possible at this point," Cooper said.Neither does the senate minority leader.In Louisville Monday, Mitch McConnell bluntly told media: "The biggest part of the problem has been in Frankfort, not in Washington."McConnell is a key part of what happens to the bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress is considering. As he spoke, Monday's traffic was its typical congested mess.It exacts such a toll on daily patience, even a question about tolls seems exasperating at times."I don't know," McConnell answered. "I don't know for sure. But I do know that's the way it was done here. That's the way it's going to be done down near Henderson. But huge challenge in Northern Kentucky and I understand why. They got a lot of commuters."It took two hours for Reds fans to get from Florence to the ballpark the other day.Business leaders lament the domino effect of Brent Spence Bridge congestion on other major roadways."Something has to get done," Cooper said. "We're tired of saying it. We're begging people to come to the table. Yes, tolling is a challenge. But what's happening now is much, much worse."In a statement, a spokesperson for Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said: "While we are in early stages of drafting legislation, a path forward for the Brent Spence Bridge is, and always has been, a priority for the Senator. While this framework includes unprecedented levels of funding for major projects like the BSB, the state and local officials involved in this project still need to address their part of this process in order to move forward."
It is edge-of-seat time once again for local leaders who have been pushing for a new Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River.
They are looking hopefully to the bipartisan infrastructure bill that is before Congress.
Whether it's wishful thinking, spot-on analysis or guesswork, Kentucky's governor suggested Monday that tolls may not be a make-or-break issue after all.
Andy Beshear said he is "waiting with bated breath" to see if President Joe Biden's administration will include the Brent Spence in the bipartisan bill. We've heard for decades how funding a new major artery requires a local match, defined by those who would make it as tolls.
"And right now I'm not sure that there's community support for that," Beshear told reporters.
But at NKU Monday where he delivered grants for various projects, some involving transportation, the governor pinned hopes on large federal project thinking.
"I don't think where we are on tolls has anything to do with whether or not they're going to invest," Beshear said.
Like vehicles on the 58-year-old covered span, optimism is inching forward once again. But the community has been down this well-traveled road many times.
"Transportation in this community is awful," Northern Kentucky Chamber President Brent Cooper said.
He said the current situation is taking — as he put it — a brutal toll on commuters and commerce.
"We have employers who have lost employees because of the Brent Spence Bridge, who are unable to get new employees because of the Brent Spence Bridge. The Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the river are hearing this every day. So, something has to get done," Cooper said.
When this year ends, the Brent Spence will have either been closed or limited to two lanes for over 13 months.
Intrigued by the governor's remarks, he's nevertheless from Missouri about it.
"We would love it if tolls weren't necessary, believe me. But we don't know how that's possible at this point," Cooper said.
Neither does the senate minority leader.
In Louisville Monday, Mitch McConnell bluntly told media: "The biggest part of the problem has been in Frankfort, not in Washington."
McConnell is a key part of what happens to the bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress is considering. As he spoke, Monday's traffic was its typical congested mess.
It exacts such a toll on daily patience, even a question about tolls seems exasperating at times.
"I don't know," McConnell answered. "I don't know for sure. But I do know that's the way it was done here. That's the way it's going to be done down near Henderson. But huge challenge in Northern Kentucky and I understand why. They got a lot of commuters."
It took two hours for Reds fans to get from Florence to the ballpark the other day.
Business leaders lament the domino effect of Brent Spence Bridge congestion on other major roadways.
"Something has to get done," Cooper said. "We're tired of saying it. We're begging people to come to the table. Yes, tolling is a challenge. But what's happening now is much, much worse."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said: "While we are in early stages of drafting legislation, a path forward for the Brent Spence Bridge is, and always has been, a priority for the Senator. While this framework includes unprecedented levels of funding for major projects like the BSB, the state and local officials involved in this project still need to address their part of this process in order to move forward."
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