Third District Congressman John Yarmuth has called the White House to discuss the Sherman Minton Bridge closure. “We have no idea at this point the extent of the repairs that would be needed or even if the bridge can be repaired,” says Yarmuth. “There’s a chance this is going to require a significant expenditure of money and that could require congressional action.” Yarmuth says the bridge’s effect on the local economy is too large to ignore. He’s talked with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well.
In his jobs speech last week, President Barack Obama cited the Brent Spence Bridge several miles upriver as an example of the country’s crumbling infrastructure. Yarmuth says if federal spending is necessary to repair or replace the Sherman Minton Bridge, it must not be politicized.
“If this is the type of thing that politicians in Washington can’t resolve, then the system is hopelessly broken. This is something that shouldn’t be partisan. There shouldn’t be a question about the need to do this. This is every bit as serious as disaster relief in Vermont and New Jersey and Connecticut,” he says.
A spokesman for McConnell says the Senator is watching the situation and talking with transportation officials.
Indiana congressman Todd Young says he’s working with state officials as well.
