Cincinnati Isn’t Convinced, Mr. President - Bridge Is ‘Not Shovel Ready’

Local Paper Argues ‘Obama Visit Won’t Build New Bridge,’ White House Admits ‘The Bridge Itself Isn’t Actually Named In The President’s Bill’
Locals Say: Bridge Being Used As ‘A Prop,’ ‘Photo-Op In A Presidential Election’
“‘No, I don't see (the president's visit) getting funding for the bridge,’ transportation expert [Joshua]Schank said. ‘Where they do the photo-op in a presidential election season usually doesn't have much value in terms of directing the money.’” (“Experts Say Obama's Visit Won't Help Bridge,” Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/21/11)

“Since the presidential visit was announced last week, there have been complaints that it's more about politics, and getting votes in next year's election.” (“President Arrives Today For Speech,” WKRC-TV, 9/21/11)

“Obama visit won’t build new bridge; It’s a prop…” (“Experts Say Obama's Visit Won't Help Bridge,” Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/21/11)

“…the Brent Spence Bridge may make a nice backdrop for a speech...” Ibid

WH Admits: ‘No, No, No’ ‘The Bridge Itself Isn't Actually Named In The President's Bill’

Political Buzz About The Brent Spence Bridge
Cincinnati WLWT TV5

“A presidential visit is a big deal, but will it actually guarantee funding for the aged and overused Brent Spence Bridge? Not really, say transportation experts and highway officials.” Ibid

“First, there's the president's jobs bill, which is the reason for his trip. … The bill itself contains no mention of the Brent Spence bridge, or any other specific projects.” Ibid

“…White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer told the Enquirer, acknowledging that the bridge itself isn't actually named in the president's bill. ‘No, no, no. It doesn't name (the bridge)…’” Ibid

Former Ohio Gov. Strickland Agrees, Bridge ‘Not Shovel Ready’
QUESTION: “What do you make of the fact that some people are saying that maybe that bridge does not even qualify as a shovel ready project in his jobs plan?” Former Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH): “Well, that may be true...” (Fox and Friends, 9/22/11)

“[T]he Brent Spence Bridge may make a nice backdrop for a speech, but it's not the best example of a shovel-ready project.” “Even if the bill is passed, it's not clear funding included in the bill for stimulus or the creation of a national infrastructure bank would ever reach the bridge. That's because if the point of the jobs bill is to create jobs now, then the Brent Spence Bridge may make a nice backdrop for a speech, but it's not the best example of a shovel-ready project.” (“Experts Say Obama's Visit Won't Help Bridge,” Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/21/11)

“REALITY CHECK: someone needs to tell the president the Brent Spence Bridge is not shovel ready.” (“Reality Check: Someone Needs To Tell The President the Brent Spence Bridge Is Not Shovel Ready,” Fox News Ohio, 9/21/11)

“[T]he Brent Spence project is still, at minimum, 4 years away from breaking ground. That is because federal environmental studies are still not complete.” “Listening to the President it sounds as if, if the funding was just there, construction workers could start on the Brent Spence right away. But, they couldn't. Even if 100 percent of the funding was in place, meaning the Feds picked up the tab for the entire project, the Brent Spence project is still, at minimum, 4 years away from breaking ground. That is because federal environmental studies are still not complete.” (“Reality Check: Someone Needs To Tell The President the Brent Spence Bridge Is Not Shovel Ready,” Fox News Ohio, 9/21/11)

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