Transportation Plan
April 27, 2010
My vision for Louisville’s transportation future includes the development of Louisville into the premier logistics center of our nation, completion of both Ohio River Bridges Projects, creation of new transportation options to include development of a commuter and light rail system, identifying sustainable revenue streams for TARC and establishment of mixed use new development projects which encourage walking and biking in our community.
Logistics Leader
Louisville is well positioned to become the premier logistics center in the United States. We can and must build on our geographic assets which include our positioning within 500 miles of half of the population in this country. Our central location makes us naturally attractive to companies like UPS, whose decision to locate and expand their Worldport operations was made, in part, because of Louisville’s geographic positioning. The expansion of UPS has had a significant impact on Louisville Metro and the entire state of Kentucky beyond job creation. More than 90 companies have moved to Louisville to be close to UPS. We are already a transportation hub with approximately 150,000 jobs in logistics and manufacturing as a result. We need to recognize this as a primary strength for our city and build on it.
Build Both Bridges NOW.
The Ohio River Bridges Project will be the largest economic development project this City has seen in decades. During the construction phase of the project, an estimated 56,000 jobs will be created with many more permanent jobs created once the project is complete. Our existing bridges do not meet Federal Highway Administration safety standards and we simply cannot meet our CURRENT traffic flow needs, much less those of the future. The Kennedy Bridge, built in the early 1960’s, was designed for a daily traffic count of 85,000 vehicles but now handles almost 140,000 vehicles. That’s 65% more daily traffic than was contemplated by the design. And traffic is projected to increase an additional 42% by 2025. It is estimated that commuters lose one week of work annually stalled in traffic, resulting in lost wages, diminished quality of life, and environmental concerns. We should also consider the national implications of the downtown bridge project. I-65 runs from Gary, Indiana to Mobile, Alabama so the “chokepoint” over the Ohio River doesn’t just affect people in Southern Indiana and Louisville, it has an effect on everyone traveling in either direction north-south between those two cities. As Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Dave Adkisson says, “You don’t restrict the flow of commerce without affecting the health of the state.”
As Mayor, I will focus my attention on obtaining adequate state and federal funding to complete this project. I will not support tolling on our existing bridges and will only support tolls on the new bridges as a last resort for their financing , but only after all efforts to obtain the necessary public funding for the projects have been exhausted and only to the extent that tolling is necessary to pay for the CONSTRUCTION of the bridges.
Increase mobility options:
Rail Transportation – We must begin work NOW on obtaining the necessary federal funding to establish commuter rail systems in Metro Louisville. Our first priority should be construction of a commuter rail system which would connect downtown to the University of Louisville campus, the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, Churchill Downs and the airport, using existing commercial (heavy rail) lines. Ultimately, my vision would include a light rail (electric trolley car) system that would include a Downtown District business Circulator, Downtown to Bardstown Road and the Bashford Manor area and Downtown to the Dixie Highway area.
I will also work closely with Ft. Knox and the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to open commuter rail on the Paducah/Louisville railroad between Ft. Knox and downtown Louisville. This line could ultimately allow commuters from Ft. Knox, Hardin Co., Meade Co., Bullitt Co., and Southwest Jefferson County, along the Dixie corridor, to park and ride to and from work by rail.
The time for rail is now.
Transit Authority of River City (TARC)
I will work closely with TARC to provide solutions for identifying consistent revenue streams to prevent the closing of bus routes which serve certain areas of the County. Our first priority for bus service must be to elderly and disabled individuals dependent on TARC for the majority of their transportation needs and to those citizens who rely on bus service for transportation to and from their workplace. We need to work diligently to identify areas where cost savings and greater efficiencies can be realized so TARC can remain a viable transportation option for our citizens.
Land Use Development –
My administration would work closely with developers to encourage the design of neighborhoods which include pedestrian amenities to encourage walking. We need to do a better job of planning our land use initiatives to ensure that quality of life is preserved and enhanced. I would also work to repair and build new sidewalks in our existing neighborhoods.