The Bridge Study

The Allen County Commissioners released the Economic Study regarding the Maplecrest/Adams Center bridge project this week.  The Commissioners appeared before the County Council this morning.

One thing to be kept in mind is that Umbaugh and Associates, one of the authors of the study, provides financial services to local governments issuing bonded indebtedness.  You may visit the Umbaugh and Associates website to view a list of projects with which Umbaugh has been involved.

The plan would have greater credibility if the Commissioners would assure at the outset that the producers of the study data would not have financial interest in any services or fees that would be generated in the event that the project went ahead and government debt were issued.

I made just that point at a breakfast meeting Monday where two of the Commissioners were in attendance.

The other thing to be kept in mind here is that bridge and highway projects need to be considered in relation to other possible projects that could be funded by the same amount of money.  This is the way federal transportation policy considers competing demands for scarce regional highway funding.  Among other things, the federal folks use concepts such as "trip miles."  This scores projects based on data models which predict what project will produce the most benefit for the cost.

This is similar to scoring by the Army Corps of Engineers in the prioritization of flood control measures.

County Council member Darren Vogt appeared on Council Call-In last night as my guest and we discussed bridge maintenance funding and the Maplecrest-Adams Center Corridor.  Council Call-In will be reshown on the governement access cable channels.

Last week, I addressed a letter to the County Commissioners inviting them to speak before City Council next Tuesday about bridge issues.  It is my understanding that the three commissioners have verbally assented to talk with Council at the next meeting of the Fort Wayne City Council on Tuesday at 5:30 PM during the Committee meeting.

Comments

[Leon Dixon]

I do wonder why Article XIII of the Indiana Constitution is never invoked in the same sentance with Umbaugh.

Ed. note: That would be the debt limitation Article:
http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-13.html

[Toby Mac]

The way the commissioners are handling this thing could make this the county's version of a Harrison Square debacle.

If there is a commissioner who is a fiscal conservative would you please raise your hand?

[Jeff Sorg]

When you drive on coldwater road,north maplecrest, St. joe road,Hillegas road,airport expressway,Schwartz rd. and many others, while you are enjoying the safe and comfortable ride remember that these roads were built in the same manner as the proposed maplecrest extension. 80% federal and 20% local money. Yes, they all had their naysayers too. Come on folks, this is a very good project that many generations after us will benefit from

[Robert Enders]

Jeff,
Just because someone else offers to pay for %80 of the cost of something does not mean it is still a good deal. If I see a sign for an %80 off sale on strapless gowns, I will still not buy one because I have no use for it.

Ok, so the proposed bridge has more utilitarian value than a dress. Let's do a quick cost benefit analysis. The bridge will cost the county $55 million, but it has been estimated that drivers will only save $23.9 million in fuel over the next 25 years. It's sort of like spending $100 in order to save $25 over the next quarter century.