(WHAS11) - Sources tell WHAS11 Political Editor Joe Arnold that if the repairs go as hoped, the Sherman Minton Bridge will be reopen by the end of the year. The sources caution that a number of factors could delay those projections, but these are the first narrow projections of the bridge reopening that we have been hearing.
Clark County Commissioner Mike Moore, who is also running for mayor of Jeffersonville, says, “If nothing is discovered, the Sherman Minton Bridge should be open sometime if not by the end of October, by mid-November. It's fantastic news.”
Several sources tell Joe Arnold that the timeline is dependent on weather and how quickly bids can be awarded to contractors. Yet the sources caution that Moore's projection might be overly optimistic by about one month.
Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan (D) says transportation officials are stressing safety and that, "The best case scenario is three to four months, and hopefully to reopen by the first of the year. The worst case will be six months."
“I'm comfortable with the information I've gathered from people who have the knowledge that this bridge will be open within the next two months,” Moore said, unless something happens to the bridge they have not yet discovered.
Another source with direct knowledge of the private bridge briefings said that the two-month timeline is correct, with the Sherman Minton open by Christmas at the latest.
Some initial projections warned that the bridge could be closed for years.
The governors of Kentucky and Indiana will be joined by Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez in New Albany Friday. U.S. Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) is also expected.
WHAS11.com will continue to update as more information becomes available.
