TERRE HAUTE —
Sometimes it takes a political campaign to produce a public policy discussion that mirrors what people are really talking and worrying about.
The Eel River bridge on Indiana 46 between Terre Haute and Bloomington has been a cause of chronic safety concerns in recent years. It is currently closed, for the second time, pending structural repairs. That is causing significant inconvenience and lost time for travelers through southern Clay County and increasing maintenance issues on area county roads that are being heavily traveled as alternative routes.
Thanks to Democrat Jim Mann II, candidate for the Indiana House District 46 seat in the November general election, the Eel River bridge has become part of the political campaign landscape. It’s about time.
Earlier this week, Mann called a press conference to bring attention to the issue. Call it a political stunt if you like. So what? If Mann had the presence of mind to raise a legitimate issue that people care about, more power to him. Given the partisan and ideological garbage being spewed from all points on the political spectrum these days, this issue is refreshing in its relevance. And it is certainly nonpartisan.
Here is how Mann framed the issue:
“This is the biggest link between Vigo County and Monroe County. This is business, this is safety, this is schools, this is education. This is such a significant artery for the communities here.”
And it’s clearly not being dealt with in the most timely manner, although we will assume the Indiana Department of Transportation is doing the best it can with resources available.
Mann is correct in maintaining that a more long-term strategy is needed to deal with problems associated with these old bridges on major state roads. Repeatedly closing such bridges for a few weeks at a time for bandage maintenance when safety concerns arise is unfair to those who depend on these important thoroughfares. Wise management that takes into account public impact is needed. And that may well come higher up in the executive or legislative levels of state government.
We applaud Mann for being willing to insert this issue into his political campaign. We hope it doesn’t go away when the election is over.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Bridge needs better solution
Candidate right to bring attention to ongoing closure of Indiana 46
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Some words in praise of boring government — Indiana’s
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EDITORIAL: Good news for downtown
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EDITORIAL: Overall, state budget step in the right direction
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EDITORIAL: The lessons of organ donation
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READERS’ FORUM: April 26, 2013
• Pence’s tax cuts benefit wealthiest
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
This does not qualify as a surprise in any way. But the Wabash Valley’s response to widespread flooding of recent days has been nothing short of impressive, even inspirational.
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EDITORIAL: Still waiting for the jobs reward
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Good-paying jobs. -
MARK BENNETT: Littered with irony: Why do people callously discard their trash, and who are they?
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
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EDITORIAL: The return of terror
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EDITORIAL: ‘Women of Influence’: 2013 selectees have given much to their communities
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: A new honor for our veterans
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EDITORIAL: Shifting view on marriage
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MAX JONES: The American Newspaper: Changing? Yes. Dying? No way!
It happened again this past January when all those “looking at the year ahead” stories started popping up on Internet “news” websites and broadcast “news” programs. Under a provocative headline reading something like “Five industries/businesses doomed to tank in the coming year,” there it was, a prediction based on an unsubstantiated “expert” analysis that the newspaper industry will continue in 2013 to suffer its slide into oblivion.
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EDITORIAL: A chance to change our bad cultural habits
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EDITORIAL: Maintaining high standards
Standards
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EDITORIAL: Crack down on dumpers
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Season of Day 2s arrives
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Congress fails to recognize problem of education costs
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