Harrods Creek Bridge closing affects local restaurants

Hi Forum!!, and thanks again Robin for letting me post about the recent events that have affected restaurants and local businesses on River Road.
First of all my name is Alan Hincks, I am the Operations Manager of Captain's Quarters Riverside Grille and have been with the Masterson's family for going on 5 years now. I have been on Louisville Hot Bytes for over a year now when it was introduced to me by Rick Adams, getting input and advice on various subjects and recently have begun posting myself.

In late November of this year the Dept. of Transportation closed the bridge citing deteriation and unstable gaurdrails and gave a estimation of the bridge re-opening. Special interest groups have now stepped in to delay the process over decisions to make it one lane or two lanes.This bridge is a vital artery to restaurants and businesses on River Rd., not to mention downtown Louisville, Brownsboro Road, Zorn Avenue and St. Matthews.

We wholly support the interest groups in keeping the natural landscape and beauty of the the area, we are just asking as businesses to repair or rebuild the bridge as soon as possible to help us out.

The restaurants and businesses have created a website that has direct links to local and state politicians to share opinions or support to about the impact of the closure - http://openthebridge.org , on it you will see alot of familiar restaurants that have been affected and would be very grateful for your valued opinion on this matter.
I would like to thank everyone again for any and all input on this, and look forward to meeting all at the next off- line event, Merry Christmas, Alan

[Robin Garr]

Good post, Alan ... I love River Road and travel it often, and have never felt that bridge was a traffic hazard. It's kind of nice the way residents have learned to be good to each other about waiting and taking turns.

I'm also suspicious of the state and city having done so little preventive maintenance that the bridge has been allowed to get that way.

Here's a cheeky thought: There's a lot of money and a lot of influence out that way. What if a crowd of neighboring residents and businesses got together, passed the hat and had that renovation done themselves? The state would probably hate the idea and yell about regulations, but I'm guessing that they'd ultimately either take the gift or give in and do the job.

While the existing bridge is quaint it's not sufficient nor designed for today's traffic and it should've been replaced years ago. It would've been replaced except for one local organization, Riverfields. Unfortunately they're very closed minded with one mission which is to prevent the east end bridge from being built. They feel that preventing this bridge from being replaced (or significantly repaired) will help them achieve that goal. Meanwhile they have ignored the good of local businesses and residents. Maybe it's time they are told that prospect doesn't want them! Unfortunately this group has as members many of the people with money who might be asked to contribute.

Good post, Alan ... I love River Road and travel it often, and have never felt that bridge was a traffic hazard. It's kind of nice the way residents have learned to be good to each other about waiting and taking turns.

Unlike you, I always feel uncomfortable crossing the present bridge. There are too many people who drive like there's nobody else on the road this thing they shouldn't have to wait for anybody to cross. If the bridge only had local traffic, it may be an acceptable solution but as the area grows so does the traffic

I'm also suspicious of the state and city having done so little preventive maintenance that the bridge has been allowed to get that way.

The reason they haven't been doing significant maintenance to the bridge deck and guardrails is probably because they don't want to waste the money repairing what needs to be replaced. These areas will be replaced when the bridge is upgraded. The planned upgrades will not significantly affect the historic nature of the bridge but rather will just upgraded to meet today's transportation and community needs. This work should've been done long ago but unfortunately wasn't, the time to do it is now while funding is available!

I feel sorry for the local businesses that have lost customers and for local residents who must now drive farther through more traffic during their travels. Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a short term solution that is acceptable to all parties and this bridge will probably be closed for a significant length of time.

I disagree that the current bridge is not sufficient for todays traffic. I travel - used to travel -River road everyday or every other day and I have never, at anytime, had a long wait for traffic on that bridge. I agree that it helps us all slow down a bit.

Fix the current bridge now! http://openthebridge.org/ has contact info for the mayor, governor and representatives. I encourage everyone to let your voice be heard and help my fellow restaurant and small business owners in this tough time, made even tougher by this closing.

Happy Holidays and Keep eating out!

[Robin Garr]

It would've been replaced except for one local organization, Riverfields. Unfortunately they're very closed minded with one mission which is to prevent the east end bridge from being built.

Mark, I share your attitude about Riverfields, but to be fair, I think the Harrods Creek bridge issue musters a much broader and more diverse group on both sides of the issue.

Heck, given that the River Road traffic is all being funneled up Wolf Pen Branch right past Nitta Yuma now, I would expect River Fields to be strongly in favor of fixing the bridge FAST.

Hmm- who do we know at Nitta Yuma that might help get this done?

Hmm- who do we know at Nitta Yuma that might help get this done?

Irony of ironies- Meme Sweets Runyon lives in Nitta Yuma.

Mark, I share your attitude about Riverfields, but to be fair, I think the Harrods Creek bridge issue musters a much broader and more diverse group on both sides of the issue.
Heck, given that the River Road traffic is all being funneled up Wolf Pen Branch right past Nitta Yuma now, I would expect River Fields to be strongly in favor of fixing the bridge FAST.

Riverfields may be in favor of repairing the bridge but only on their terms! Just by looking at their response posted on the "openthebridge" website you can tell that. Even though the proposed renovations would preserve the historic lines of the bridge while upgrading it to handle modern traffic (including fire trucks) they do not want any changes to occur. Personally I think the bridge would look better after the renovations that it does now with the tacky metal guardrails stuck inside the ornamental concrete ones, it looks like a bridge ready to cave in.

I've heard their biggest objection to the upgrade is not the widening nor the architectural changes but rather the fact that the weight limit would be increased thus allowing construction vehicles for the East End Bridge to use it. In this way they are certainly doing everything possible to prevent and/or slow down this project. Just like many other people they have ulterior motives in most everything they do. They may not be the only group opposed to or in favor of the project but they certainly are the most vocal and best backed of them.

Hallelujah!!

Great news for all restaurants and businesses on the river !!

http://www.wlky.com/news/20170347/detail.html

Opens Monday !!

For all river rats, there will be a impromptu party Sunday around 4ish on the bridge...

My folks will be glad to hear the news! Thanks!

Good news for you guys, Alan! As well for the other establishments, Prospect residents, people who like to drive along the river, cyclists...etc.

Hope this brings in some extra business to CQ!

This is great! I'm sorry about the business casualties that were incurred. On the bright side, this is a big move in the right direction for everyone in the area.

[Robin Garr]

This is great! I'm sorry about the business casualties that were incurred. On the bright side, this is a big move in the right direction for everyone in the area.

During a short chapter of my life back in the '80s, I used to commute on that road. I always had the sense that the one-lane bridge was a net plus ... a natural way to slow people down just short of that zany S-curve in Harrods Creek, and a gentle reminder of neighborly give-and-take as you took your turn and let the guy on the other end go through. I kind of hate to see that go away, although maybe I'm just hanging on to the old times too hard. But I do hope the accident rate on River Road doesn't go UP.