Why do elections have to mess with infrastructure planning? It's ridiculous.
Agreed.
The only good thing that might come out of is an increased budget provided by the Federal government -- permitting massive improvements to aesthetics of the underpass, as in
Underpass Designs & Improvements.
A small 20% increase in budget can turn the Davenport Bridge into a fancy tourist attraction that actually has economic benefits that fully covers the 20% premium (exercise, businesses at the accesses, etc). Prettifying the bridge option would still be
much cheaper than doing the tunnel which would be over 4x (
>300% increase) more expensive.
- Colored transparent glass noisewalls
- Upgraded bridge design, such as possibly a suspension bridge
- High path *and* low path for both pedestrians and bikes.
- High pedestrian/bike path overhanging side of Davenport bridge; great scenic lookout
- Better underbelly aesthetics, better landscaping for the low path under bridge
- More underpasses (and prettier ones at them too!)
- Fancy lit underpasses that aren't scary
Example of a more appealing pedestrian underpass (perhaps for the low sections of the Davenport ramp-up to bridge):
Example of bridge lighting could be like Louisville's
Big Four Bridge (I'd prefer a slender suspension or cable-stayed bridge rather than trusswork), which could gradually dim after 11:00pm in a soothing sunset-style fashion (low-blue-light) to appease nearby neighborhoods and avoid disturbing sleep.