[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15595-S15596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE BRIDGE CONNECTING KENTUCKY AND INDIANA

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, in 1987, a study was made of a major bridge 
connecting my State of Kentucky and the State of Indiana. It was 
determined--this was on a major highway--that the bridge's life would 
be no more than 15 years as it related to the ability to carry major 
loads. At that time, Gov. Wallace Wilkinson decided that he would do 
everything he could to replace that bridge, and $10 million of Kentucky 
money was put up front.
  To make a long story short, the people of that area approached then 
Congressman William H. Natcher, who was on the Appropriations Committee 
in the House, and was chairman a little bit later of the Appropriations 
Committee in the House. And after much study and discussion, in order 
to speed up the ability to have the funds as it related to that 
particular bridge, it was decided that it should become a demonstration 
project. Otherwise, it could have been delayed for a long, long time. 
The bridge was then designated, through Congressman Natcher's effort, 
as a demonstration project, and the construction started through the 
design, and almost 7 miles of road now has been built. That road has 
been built up to the river bank. The approach has been built on the 
Indiana side. And two piers have been built in the middle of the Ohio 
River.
  Mr. President, Congressman Natcher was an unusual individual. Using 
his influence in the Appropriations Committee, he could have funded 
this bridge up front, some $80 million, the State paying the balance. 
But instead of doing that, Congressman Natcher would only take what was 
necessary for that one 12-month period, leaving the balance of the 
money then for his colleagues on the committee to use as they saw 
necessary.
  Unfortunately, the death of Congressman Natcher eliminated a powerful 
voice and one who could be depended upon to fund the bridge. After the 
demonstration projects were eliminated on the House side and on the 
Senate side, Congressman Natcher was able to get some money in the bill 
as it related to appropriations and directed a line item for this 
particular bridge. After Congressman Natcher's untimely and unfortunate 
death, no funds were included on the House side as it related to the 
bridge.
  I worked with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee here in 
the Senate. We were able to make a modest contribution to the 
construction.
  Now we have a budget going through the House and Senate with not one 
thin dime in there for that bridge.
  As I said, there has been a lot of work done, four lanes now, for 7 
miles on the Kentucky side, right up to the river bank. On the other 
side, the approach has been constructed by the State of Indiana. Two 
piers stick out of the Ohio River. We say, no, we are not going to 
finish or complete that bridge, with $58 million already expended.
  I have an amendment I wanted to put on reconciliation to fund the 
bridge because it is a very necessary bridge because we are getting 
close to the day when the present bridge will not be able to carry 
traffic. That means trucks will have to go at least 100 miles out of 
their way in order to make deliveries in order to serve our area.
  It is very important to the economic development of both the northern 
part of western Kentucky and the southern 

[[Page S15596]]

part of Indiana, a very key economic development tool, the life of that 
particular area.
  In checking, Mr. President, on this particular amendment, I 
understand that the Budget Committee--which has the right to do so--
would make a point of order against my amendment and that it would 
require 60 votes, a supermajority, in order for me to pass the 
amendment. Of course, I know I cannot do that.
  There are things in this life that you realize cannot be done. You 
accept that and move on. Well, I accept this for the moment. I accept 
this for the moment. We are going to revisit this question time and 
time again because it is an abomination for a major highway to have a 
major bridge constructed to a point--two piers sticking out of the Ohio 
River--and not a dime to complete it.
  My State is not a wealthy State, but the money is available by the 
State to pay for its part, and it has paid more than its part in the 
designation of the highway to the bridge and the four-lane facility, 
and the bridge will be a four-lane facility and has been recognized as 
one of the outstanding designs for not only design but safety that we 
have had in this country.
  Mr. President, I regret the attitude of the Budget Committee. At 
least I thought I might have a fighting chance to be able to secure the 
funds for this bridge. However, if the Members on the other side stick 
together, then I have no chance.
  I just wanted the record to reflect this morning that my constituents 
and those in Indiana are being denied infrastructure, that $58 million 
of our tax dollars have been spent, and they say, ``No, we will not 
build the rest of it.'' It seems to me that it is no longer a 
demonstration project, with $58 million having been spent, the piers 
being built in the river, and the span now is all that is lacking.
  This new majority here in the Congress has said to my people, ``We 
are not going to finish it. It is up to you.'' They even reduced the 
funds to my State by some $45 million for this fiscal year compared to 
last fiscal year, and they say, ``Just take it out of your funds and 
build it.''
  Well, that is not easy to swallow. I do not intend to see my people 
denied something that is real, something that is necessary, and 
something I do not think you could hold fault with, take umbrage with, 
because of its need, and we are in the position which we are in.
  Mr. President, I will file my amendment. I will not call it up. I 
want it to be on record. It will be there. I will offer it this 
afternoon, at least file it at the desk and let my colleagues know of 
my interest and how much damage they are doing to the commerce from 
south to north that goes through Tennessee, Kentucky, on into Indiana, 
that hooks up with interstate highways.
  It will cause major economic devastation to our area. Many companies 
that have built there, that have come there, have been depending on 
this mode of transportation because trucks are important to the new 
development of new businesses that have come into that area.
  Mr. President, again, I regret that the majority has said to my 
people and those in southern Indiana that we are just going to let the 
piers stick out of the river like two sore spots and not complete the 
bridge.
  Mr. President, I imagine my 5 minutes are up. I know the Chair is 
patient, and I appreciate that, but I did want the record to reflect 
that I am very disappointed in the way that the constituents in Indiana 
and Kentucky have been treated in this particular budget for this 
particular item.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Gregg). The Senator from North Dakota.

                          ____________________