U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in southern Indiana Monday morning to talk about the proposed Ohio River Bridges Project. LaHood held a roundtable discussion with Congressmen John Yarmuth of Kentucky and Baron Hill of Indiana and members of the bi-state bridges authority, which is trying to come up with funding streams for the project.He says he's optmistic that some federal money can be secured."The opportunities are enormous, because a lot of work has been done, but the most imporatant thing is that all these people are together on the idea they want to get it done," he said.The bridges proposal, which includes two new Ohio River spans and a reconfiguration of Louisville's Spaghetti Junction interchange, has a estimated price tag of $4.1 billion.Lahood told those assembled they might not get everything they ask for from Washington, but there is "light at the end of the tunnel." Monday's meeting also drew several people who oppose all or parts of the proposal.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.