Bridges Public Hearing Draws Impatience, Complaints About Tolls

The first of two public comment hearings on the Ohio River Bridges Project was last night  in Clarksville.Curtis Morrison with Say No 2 Bridge Tolls was in attendance to criticize the process.“I have an issues with this being called a public input meeting," Morrison said "when the governors and mayor got together and come up with a plan and they’re wanting us to give input on their plan, in my perspective that’s a little backwards.”Most comments were directed at the tolls, but some people just wanted the bridges built.Assistant Chief of Administration for Louisville Metro EMS Roger Parvin was on hand to argue that the bridges are a matter of safety. He says the traffic volume reduction on current bridges and alternate routes would make EMS more effective, so his purpose last night was clear.“Let’s get the bridges Built, it’s time for it, we’ve been talking over this for years now," Parvin says "let’s get them built and get this city rolling.”Construction is slated to begin in August 2012, but the Bridges Authority is still waiting on the results of the supplemental environmental impact study to develop a financing plan.The next public hearing will be tonight  from four to eight pm at the Holiday Inn on Hurstbourne Parkway.  Anyone who signs up ahead of time will be allowed to speak.  Speakers are limited to 3 minutes and will be drawn in random order.