New Mayor's Power Over Bridges Project Will Likely Be Limited

Candidates for mayor of Louisville have expressed interest in controlling part of the Ohio River Bridges Project. But that may not be possible, as decisions about the project are made by the bi-state bridges authority.Authority co-chair Kerry Stemler says the body will work with the new mayor to put together a timeline for construction that will affect tolls and the overall cost of the project. So calls for low tolls from Democrat Greg Fischer and Republican Hal Heiner can be heard.Independent Jackie Green favors shelving the project to build better public transit. Stemler says that, or any other redesign, likely can't happen at the mayor's behest."This project is too big and too important for any one individual to stand in his way," he says. "If an elected official in either state changes tomorrow or after the elections, then we'll try our best to work with that particular individual."Green has proposed denying permits or services to hinder the project. Stemler says two new bridges and a reworked Spaghetti Junction will happen, and both major party candidates support the plan.