If you live anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky you are likely aware that one of the bridges (the I-64, or Sherman Minton, as it is known locally) crossing the Ohio River is currently closed. A recent inspection uncovered at least one critical crack, and the governor of Indiana ordered the bridge closed until repairs could be made. Unfortunately, this is likely to take a while (up to six months) - and so instead of three bridges into Louisville, there are now only two. And this is going to make travel into Louisville very interesting...
With major closures like this come major traffic delays, leading to higher costs for commuters and trucking companies alike. There is also a large chorus of "we told you so" being shouted from every corner of the Kentuckiana area. You see, they've been trying to get at least one more bridge built for a long time now (at least 20 years, maybe closer to 30) - and the I-64 closure is being used as a reason why a new bridge should be on the fast track. And a new bridge may indeed be justified, though it still won't happen in time to help with the current situation.
However, I think that there is also an opportunity to look at transportation alternatives. The only way you can limit the impact of this closure is to take a bunch of vehicles off the road. Mass transit (which means buses in Louisville) or car pooling (or ride-sharing, which is the new and fancy "green" word) would certainly be one way. Another option for some folks could be to work from home rather than drive into their office (if their jobs allow). Taking vehicles off the road will help reduce congestion and limit the additional wear that the other two bridges will face.
Throughout the US, our transportation infrastructure is showing signs of age and needs to be repaired. And in places where there is population growth, the infrastructure often requires upgrades and additions to handle the additional traffic - under the current one person/one car model. But maybe we can use closures like this as a wake up call - perhaps it's time to rethink how we move people. Maybe we can adjust our priorities and put more emphasis on solutions that move people safely, quickly and with less cost (both in terms of fuel and impact on the environment). Hopefully we can learn from events like these to make our infrastructure better and smarter!
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