Staff photo by Eric. Do not be intimidated by a road to nowhere in Kentucky, often times a drive like the one in Red River Gorge is like a breath of fresh air. 7 min read WASHINGTON President Biden's push to make his $2.3 trillion infrastructure. Deborah Bilitski, president and executive director of Waterfront Park said in a statement, The anniversary of the Big Four Bridge is a testament to the value of public spaces in our city. We send these people there to solve problems. The Indiana side has a long, mostly straight decline, with a sharp right near street level. LOUISVILLE, Ky. Ten years ago, a decommissioned rail bridge, which was known as the Bridge to Nowhere brought new life to Waterfront Park. "It's spectacular, I mean right behind me in Cumberland Mountain, Virginia's on the other side of that, and then just that way is Cumberland Gap national park is right there on top of the mountain but yeah then Pine Mountain to the north it's just a spectacular scenery, it's fantastic," said Ledford. I almost got emotional when I came up this morning," said Ledford. The Gravina Island Bridge, commonly referred to as the "Bridge to Nowhere", was a proposed bridge to replace the ferrythat currently connects the town of Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, with Gravina Island, an island that contains the Ketchikan International Airportas well as 50 residents. The bridge is narrow and can be crowded, there is a 15 mph speed limit for bikes. Mitch McConnell voted for billions in earmarks, including the Bridge to Nowhere, noted a recent Bevin TV ad, citing the infamous $400 million Alaska bridge project that was later canceled because of opposition from then-Alaska Gov. For David Ledford, the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation's President, it's been his mission for more than five years. The bridge towers 283 feet above the Kentucky River and includes a 551-foot-long cantilever span. - YouTube 0:00 / 0:26 Bridge to Nowhere US 119: Bell county, Kentucky. Obama Needs a New National Security Strategy, Why Pro-Life Groups Want You to Stop Buying Girl Scout Cookies, What some conservatives are saying about the Girl Scouts, President Obama plugs Healthcare.gov on 'Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis', President Obama 2012-2013 NCAA Champions Remarks, Obama heckled on 'nuclear war with Russia' at DNC event, Hipster Bars, Pet Boutiques and Yoga Studios. "Bridge to Nowhere" redirects here. What about all that land down around Sonora that the state bought, some thru condemnation, when they were courting Mitsubishi to build a car factory there. "The Bridge to Nowhere" has been a much-used phrase by the McCain Campaign. Love Kentucky? At one time the bridge ran from South Mayo Trail to a vacant area and and was in Ripley's Believe it or Not as "the bridge that went nowhere". At dusk, the bridge puts on a entertaining light show that changes with the seasons or for various events. But in Frankfort all you have to do is raise taxes. Other examples of McConnell-named monuments in Kentucky include: McConnell got a $939,000 federal grant for the River Walk in Bowling Green in 2oo1. "The design of this bridge is unique, however, because although the bridge itself is simple - the towers are not. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue said the state has budgeted about $300 million for that work, which VDOT expects to complete in 2021. There are roughly 244 elk roaming the site. The Appalachian Wildlife Center has been a dream for people in Bell County for decades. The bridge is about a 20-minute drive from Yuma, via US 95 and just before the start of the Gila River. Riding over the Big Four Bridge allows cyclists to ride over a river, into an entirely different state, how often can one say that? LOUISVILLE, Ky. Ten years ago, a decommissioned rail bridge, which was known as the "Bridge to Nowhere" brought new life to Waterfront Park. The lush forest frames these metal monoliths, creating a pretty as a postcard view. . Although only a mile long, the Big Four packs in plenty to see. Boating aficionados can see the Howard steamboat museum from the bridge. Click on the front page to read today's edition of the Kentucky New Era. It stretches across the Levisa Fork and has been converted into a pedestrian bridge. While McConnell has a huge lead over Bevin in most recent polls, Democrats are expected to use the same line of attack against McConnell in the fall campaign as they look to unseat the powerful Senate minority leader. Many of the bridges were built in the 1970s as part of the Autobahn network, but the oil crisis and rising environmental consciousness slowed many highway extensions. You just drive through part of it. May 15, 2009 May 15, 2009; 0; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; . Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. JavaScript is disabled. On Feb. 7, 2013, the Waterfront Park side of the Big Four Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge opened. Please see the Comments FAQ if you have any additional questions or email your thoughts to [emailprotected], Mitch McConnell slammed for $110 million in earmarks. For me, I crossed this bridge hundreds . During Christmas, the lights are spectacular. If it is an overpass or an interchange, the term overpass to nowhere or interchange to nowhere may be used respectively. My grandfather used to take us on walks every Sunday after church in good weather. Beautiful bridge. When we visited people . Start planning your vacation today! Gov. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 1,237 views Apr 8, 2018 5 Dislike Share Johnny Laws 4. Congressman Hal Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin, he was able to acquire $12.5 million through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement. For years it sat as an abandoned eyesore and both its approach ramps sold for scrap. McConnells days as a profligate spender are being used by rivals in the 2014 campaign. Pauley Bridge, Pikeville, Kentucky. Having grown up in the neighborhood, this bridge is an old friend. A bridge to nowhere is a bridge where one or both ends are broken, incomplete, or unconnected to any roads. It spans the Big Sandy River and is a popular spot for photographers. The ramps on either side are about the only hills in the area. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, has repeatedly placed McConnell on its annual list of the Most Corrupt lawmakers after alleging improper ties between McConnell campaign donors and his earmarks, allegations that McConnell vehemently denied. As soon as it was finished they put a guardrail across it. This is just one example of our government at work. Built in 1936 with funds provided by the WPA (Works Progress Administration - an infrastructure program that was part of the New Deal agency established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt). The only problem is that it goes nowhere, and I mean nowhere. There is never really a lot of traffic along the Gorge Byway. The Big Four Bridge connects the past to the present and Jeffersonville, Indiana to Louisville, Kentucky over the Ohio River, Americas 2nd-longest, described by Thomas Jefferson as the most beautiful river on Earth. Known for years as the bridge to nowhere, the Big Four Bridge is a worthy destination once again. McConnell earmarked $14 million in federal funds to help underwrite the librarys expansion in 2004. Officials say the center, once completed will add hundreds of jobs to the regions, and they believe thousands more will follow due to economic development in the area. -- PHOTO BY MICHAEL COOK This photo is available for publication. If you are looking for a peaceful way to relax and enjoy our beautiful state, try taking a drive down a road to nowhere in Kentucky. Learn more about the Big Four Bridge and Waterfront Park by visiting their website. The bridge links or connects with multiple trail systems giving riders plenty of options to increase mileage. There are lots of trees in the gorge, which makes for a shady drive in many spots. It was named for the senator in 1984, largely in tribute to his efforts to expand the forest while a state official. Hard-line conservative groups like the Senate Conservatives Fund and his GOP challenger portray McConnell as a vestige of the bad pork barrel politics of the past. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Do not be intimidated by a road to nowhere in Kentucky, often times a drive like the one in Red River Gorge is like a breath of fresh air. Don Stewart, a McConnell spokesman, said the senator didnt ask to have his name put on these projects when queried about all the McConnell-named monuments in the Bluegrass State. Theres something undeniably intriguing about bridges that capture the imagination in a way nothing else can. In 2005, McConnell helped steer $38 million in earmarks to the park. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Ride the bridge at dusk, when the lights come on, and get treated to an ever-changing light show. Easy to follow. The Official Site of Kentucky Department of Tourism. After all it is our money they are spending. Don Barrett/Flickr The bridge is quite pretty, especially if you see it glowing in the setting sun. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The bridge opened to rail traffic in 1895, and was in use until the late 1960s when modern locomotives became too heavy and wide for it. The states holding that land and they can't sell condemed land is what i was told. The Pauley Bridge in Pikeville, Kentucky is a landmark that sits just outside the city. Biden's Kentucky-fried love-fest with Mitch McConnell should turn every Republican's stomach January 5, 2023 | 8:08 am President Joe Biden appears on stage with Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, Ohio governor Mike DeWine, former Ohio senator Rob Portman, Ohio senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Mitch McConnell in Covington, Kentucky (Getty) We are going to have to start holding our elected officials responsible for their actions. I am somewhat a cliche'. At anytime you will find large groups of walkers, bikers and even those just looking for the perfect selfie, all along the bridge. 2/14/2023 - We visited and walked over the bridge. Kentucky (KY) Louisville Louisville - Things to Do The Big Four Bridge The Big Four Bridge 1,955 Reviews #13 of 184 things to do in Louisville Sights & Landmarks, Bridges 1101 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40206-1725 Save 8 3 Walk Across the Ohio River Review of The Big Four Bridge Reviewed July 29, 2013 Love Kentucky? In addition to the Chao Auditorium, the McConnell-Chao Archives highlights include McConnells childhood sports memorabilia, high school yearbooks, family photos and campaign records are also housed there. Great place to grow up. This bridge has been built for a few years now. This is a lovely way to enter the gorge. The so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" spans Bluefield Avenue in the Tender White area of Bluefield.