STATUS: THE HARMONY WAY BRIDGE

STATUS Of THE HARMONY WAY BRIDGE

by Dan Barton, Publisher Of The New Harmony Gazette 

Lora Arneberg has been acting as a liaison between Indiana Landmarks and The Economic Development Coalition of SW Indiana. She now heads a nine-member committee to reopen the Harmony Way Bridge. Lora recently responded to some questions from the New-Harmony Gazette regarding the progress of her efforts to bring forces to bear on this very important issue.

Ms. Arneberg indicated that the project is still moving forward and they are hoping to hold a public forum in the near future. Perhaps in March, she said. It will be an opportunity for the public to ask and get answers to questions about the direction of the committee and what progress is being made. Currently, they are working on legal issues and raising the matching funds for the Regional Cities money.

Lora stated that, with regard to repopulating the White County Bridge Commission, with only one Commissioner actively involved at the present, the Federal General Services Administration (GSA), that appoints new Commissioners, has not yet shown any solid movement. She said that they are still in contact though, and she and Indiana Landmarks, President Marsh Davis, are still working with several elected officials on that issue. The officials have all been supportive, she said.

The other idea that Lora and the new committee are working on has to do with developing some type of Port Authority instead of staying with the original Bridge Commission concept. This idea doesn’t seem to be fully developed at present, but she indicated that if the Port Authority idea is feasible they, “won’t need the [Bridge] Commission to transfer ownership [of the bridge].”

Lora reiterated that she is, “keeping in contact with the GSA, so we have that base covered as a backup plan. We did finally make a good contact at GSA but they had been waiting for the appointment of their new Head and that just happened finally in mid-December.”

It sounds like Lora and the Committee are moving forward according to the schedule she discussed with me back in December. It’s reported that she and the ad hoc committee are meeting weekly. It doesn’t look like Ms. Arneberg is letting the grass grow under her feet on this one. It’s a tough project but good reports have been coming into the Gazette. All we can do at this point is with her and the Bridge Committee the best and offer our support.

FOOTNOTE:  The City-County Observer posted this article without opinion, bias, or editing.