Sherman's Bridge

Anyone living in the Kentuckiana area (common naming for the greater Louisville, KY area, which includes a portion of Southern Indiana) has, since September 9, 2011, been experiencing the pain generated by the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge.  I could likely go on for hours about the pains of slamming all Interstate 64 traffic into an already often-times "full-to-the-brim" Interstate 65, but I will avoid that whining at this point. (though I will be INCREDIBLY thrilled when the bridge re-opens and life on I-64 can return to normal)

After months of avoiding a bridge that could, potentially, drop into the Ohio at any point, I've come to wonder who Sherman Minton was, to have had a major interstate bridge named after him (though I would argue not a very pretty bridge - not only is it apparently not safe, but it is in major need of a coat of paint)

Turns out, Sherman Minton was born in Georgetown, Indiana (shout out for the current hometown), was educated at Indiana University and Yale, was a US Senator, and went on to serve as a Federal Judge and then Justice on the Supreme Court, appointed by Harry Truman.

It's sad that someone with such an amazing career of accomplishments, would be (currently) associated with such a negative local event, because his name is on the bridge that is causing so many headaches.  But, on the other hand, without his name on that bridge, most people likely would never even utter his name.

So, thank you, Sherman, for your contributions.  And thank you (in advance), Hall Contracting, for finishing it EARLY!!!

Interesting fact.  The bridge cost $14.8M to build in the late 50's and early 60s.  It is costing an estimated $13.9M to fix it in 2011 and 2012.  The $14.8M got us 50 years.  The $13.9M is estimated to give us another 20.  Money doesn't go as far as it used to...

Been Awhile

It's been some time since I posted a new blog entry.  Realistically, the demands of career and family have been prioritized over writing, which should come as no surprise.

I don't want to publish one of those "here's what's happened to us over the past year" christmas newsletters, so I won't.

But, I guess you could say I'm going to TRY to be back.  We'll see how this goes.