By Rick HowlettThe bi-state authority in charge of developing a plan to build two new Ohio River bridgesheld its regular meeting Thursday in Clark County, Indiana. The 14 member panel has been largely dealing with organizational matters since first convening in February. On Thursday, it approved its mission and vision statements.Authority member Joe Reagan of Louisville says it's important for the group to have a clear agenda."We're here to build the bridges, we're not here to only come up with a finance plan, (or) only come up with an approach to bi-state cooperation, or what it might be," he said.The authority is working with a strategic advisor to develop financing and construction plans for the project, which has an estimated price tag of $1.4 billion.It proposes new bridges linking Louisville and southern Indiana and a reconfigurationof the Spaghetti Junction interchange. Officials have said it's likely that tolls will be used to help fund the project.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.