The trail crosses the river so often that you quickly . This infamous bridge, from . The 3.2-mile-long partially paved "road to nowhere" meanders from a small international airport on Gravina Island, home . Just a little under 40 years later, in 1968, it was deemed unfit for modern traffic needs not difficult to understand, given its narrow width. There is a lot of snow out there already, or is this from last year? Earmarking foes and fiscal . Even at that, I dont know if there is much money to be made! In the meantime, Bridge to Nowhere works for me. Miles Glacier Bridge, Alaska, damaged by a 1964 earthquake (photograph by Jet Lowe) Birmingham, . of Alaska and the U.S. Congress. Art Weiner wrote, "In a collective act of passion, the people of The Ketchikan Daily News noted that, of the gubernatorial candidates, "Only Palin is consistent in support all of the projects". Ketchikan Gateway Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst said the borough owns some land adjacent to the Gravina Island Highway but hasn't tried to develop it and has no immediate plans to do so. 3058 [109th]'s first version passed the U.S. Senate with 93 votes for, 1 against. For the first two weeks of her campaign, Palin routinely told audiences in her stump speech that she told Congress "thanks, but no thanks" for the bridge, which was backed by the leaders of Alaska's congressional delegation. SIEGEL: One reason this is so important to the GOP is that as late as 2006, Palin was taking a very Alaskan view of the bridge project. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska. Thanks Kristen I would love to visit Florida someday! [48] According to the Los Angeles Times, for instance, while seeking votes for her governorship race, Palin told Ketchikan residents that she backed the "bridge to nowhere"; as governor, she spent the money elsewhere and moved ahead with a $26-million road to the nonexistent bridge. Legal Statement. On Friday, Alaska decided the bridge really was going nowhere, officially abandoning the project in Ketchikan that became a national symbol of federal pork-barrel spending. When I watched him campaign in South Carolina almost a year ago, it was the centerpiece of his speech. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In the I sure enjoyed my visit to your beautiful town! "Much of the public's attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here," Palin said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. way of three separate earmarks in the recent highway bill. But the deal had been signed just before she took office in December 2006, Stapleton said. I told the Congress, thanks, but no thanks on that Bridge to Nowhere. What some people might not realize is that Bridge to Nowhere was actually part of a major infrastructure project. would gain $148 million in money it could spend on the state's SIEGEL: Today, Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Republican of South Carolina, writes an op-ed page piece in the Wall Street Journal, which he says, yeah, she was for it but then after she realized the problem with earmarks, Governor Palin was against it. "I mean, it's pretty here." the blue duck lodge located in the whanganui national park is a working cattle farm with a focus on conservation. [29][30][31] Palin stated: Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer. Orleans, to Alaska Native people and to the Nation for their The bridge was projected to cost $398 million. Back in 2005, Young and Sen. Stevens tried to get $223 million for the bridge. Unfinished highway bridges at the water reservoir Svihov. The $398 million bridge would have connected Ketchikan, on one island in southeastern Alaska, to its airport on another nearby island. You supported that bridge before you opposed it. Keith Ashdown, chief investigator for the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, says he coined the phrase in 2004 after a couple of beers. Last fall, after House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) earmarked $223 . Murphy, who works on the island. Every flight into Gravina Island requires a 15-minute ferry ride to reach the more densely populated Revillagigedo Island. Required fields are marked *. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Copyright 2008 NPR. SIEGEL: Ultimately though, if the earmark was changed, it no longer was dedicating this $223 million to the bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island. Gov. H.R. course, Alaska should and, hopefully, will volunteer to reject the Fiscally responsible Members of recognizing that the citizens of Alaska, including many in the Senator seems to view $75 million in taxpayers' dollars as a Seven years ago, the veteran Republican created a cash gusher for . some of its pork, they fear, so might they. ", she answered: "Yes. She said the best option would be to upgrade the ferry system. this national humiliation, many in Alaska have vented their anger Mr. KEITH ASHDOWN (Chief Investigator, Taxpayers for Common Sense): We spent several months trying to figure out, you know, how could we make this sexy, so to speak, for the lower 48 states and for the news media. objected to the bridge on their editorial pages. He wrote this excellent piece which I think basically was its introduction to the national audience. the removal of the project in a technical corrections bill or other sum of little consequence; what the Senator sees as a problem in The Alaska Region of the National Park Service announced this week it is moving ahead with a plan for a $7.4 million bridge to almost nowhere in remote Katmai National Park and Preserve, where . The trail crosses the river so often that you quickly abandon all hope of dry feet. And I think it coalesced a lot of things that he had seen into, you know, one word. battlefield park jackson, ms . She killed the bridge and saved taxpayers money. The bridge was built in 1929 in the name of Henry Harrison McPhaul, a notable resident of Yuma. Dubbed the "bridge to nowhere," it would have connected the small city of Ketchikan to its airport on nearby Gravina island, and it secured a $223 million earmark in 2005. The bridge was projected to cost $398 million. Spanning the Gila River, the McPhaul Bridge was built in 1929 and is just shy of 800 feet in length. Share your stories. [49], After canceling the bridge, Palin's administration spent more than $25 million to build the Gravina Island Highway, which would have connected with the proposed bridge. Senator JOHN McCAIN (Republican, Arizona; Presidential Nominee): The tipping point, my friends, was the $233-million bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it, the so-called Bridge to Nowhere. authority to be trusted with hard-earned tax dollars. But the "Road to Nowhere" is alive and well. SIEGEL: That Parade magazine cover was published in November 2005. The governor urged Alaskans not to dwell on the bridge. Taking the ferry from Ketchikan, AK to the airport which is on Gravina Island AKA "nowhere."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravina_Island_Bridgehttp://www.boro. And one night, had a couple beers in me, and I got a little more creative and I came up with the term Bridge to Nowhere. measure," BNA reported. It is already doing that, even if nothing has yet been built there, said DOT environmental planner John Barnett. Weight Limit is 10 tons. It seems like a small gap for such an expensive bridge, but this is the same channel the cruise ships use toenter town, so I imagine it would have had to be a very tall bridge. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage 546 reviews of Bridge to Nowhere "This hike reigns supreme as my favorite day hike in SoCal. According to USA Today, the bridge was to have been nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 1.7mi (2.7km) long, and "higher than the Brooklyn Bridge". become an object of national ridicule and a symbol of the fiscal Today, Senator Tom The decision to build the road before the bridge was blasted in 2010 by the Legislature's audit division, which said it was "not in the public's best interest given the lack of congressional financial support for the bridges and the significant increase in estimated cost.". KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Today, the lonely Bridge to Nowhere still arcs gracefully over the San Gabriel River, providing one of Southern California's oddest, albeit epic, hiking destinations. ", David Raskin of the bridge to nowhere is a unique and historical landmark in the development of new zealand. Make sure a trip to Denali is in your near future! But I made it out for a few photos and back in one piece. This one-lane historic bridge was built in the early 1900s, from 1909-1910, as a one-track railroad bridge for the Copper River and . Ronald Utt is the Herbert and Joyce Morgan Senior Research Fellow. When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican . I think were going to make a good team as we progress that bridge project" in response to an insult expressed by the state Senate president, Ben Stevens. A true bridge to nowhere. The island is connected to the city by a ferry that runs to the airport, well past the point where the bridge was to have been built. Behind the Bridge to Nowhere Ketchikan Alaska As We See It - Through Photographs Fiction Condition: Very Good From a smoke free / Pet free environment If there is a problem with your item once you receive it. Many of the earmarks, he claimed, are Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. [26] On January 17, 2007, she sent a revised budget to the president of the Alaska Senate that would restrict capital spending and rescinded the $185 million state share of the bridge funding.[27]. Ketchikan, do not value the Gravina Island bridge project, its Sarah Palin said Friday the project was $329 million short of full funding. To get to the trailhead: From the 210 freeway in Azusa, take exit 40 north on Route 39. Anchorage Daily News, Diane Mucha of Eagle River wrote, "Of Frank Murkowski ordered work on the bridge project to begin with the construction of the highway south from the airport to the channel between Gravina Island and Revillagigedo Island, on which Ketchikan resides. Free or royalty-free photos and images. With the Bridge to Nowhere a national laughingstock, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., in October 2005 proposed an amendment that would have redirected $125-million in funding for the Alaska bridge . Par . "It kind of just curves around then it just stops. Palin could have stopped construction of this road," said Weinstein, who wore his "Nowhere, Alaska" T-shirt to an interview with CNN. If Alaska loses Mr. ASHDOWN: The senator is a friend of taxpayers, but that's an incorrect statement. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Tap into Getty Images global-scale, data-driven insights and network of over 340,000creators to create content exclusively for your brand. September 16, 2022 by James Brooks, Alaska Beacon. [28] A month later, in September 2007, Palin formally canceled the project. This makes it a great family hike because little legs will have no problem keeping up with you. [54] The motion lost and the funding was kept. In stump speeches, Alaska Gov. SIEGEL: Called by its critics, The Bridge to Nowhere, that was April 10th. The road is not yet paved that was expected to happen following bridge construction. its remote location makes it a rare tourist sigh - bridge to nowhere stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images was simply impractical. The bridge has a height of 50ft and a width of 100 feet. Last summer while I was in Ketchikan, I hiked up the hill above town to get a better perspective of the destination for the "Bridge to Nowhere". Bridge to Nowhere. and voting to keep them there. willingness of many in Alaska to give back the bridge to pay for Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. The hike is within Denali National Park, which is a designated wilderness. She changed her mind, he said, when "she saw that Alaska was being perceived as taking from the country and not giving". Local officials have said access to Gravina Island, population 50, is needed for the town and its economy to grow. Sarah Palin let the "Road to Nowhere . Bridge to Nowhere. 10 Bridge To Nowhere Was Built In 1936 As Part Of The California State Route 39 Highway Project. Origin of bridge unknown. "Gov. Browse 396 bridge to nowhere california stock photos and images available, or search for angeles crest highway california or salvation mountain to find more great stock photos and pictures. Despite the work of our congressional delegation, we are about $329 million short of full funding for the bridge project, and its clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island. In fact, rumor has it this bridge was a model for San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It was good that this project was killed by Governor Palin, but it's not correct that it saved any money. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Theres plenty of wildlife nearby, so pack bear spray, and stay vigilant along the trail. [34], The city of Ketchikan has already begun to develop roads and a small amount of infrastructure for Gravina Island's 50 inhabitants. The hike starts out weaving in and out the trees beneath the shaded cover of a well maintained path. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, both Republicans, championed the project through Congress two years ago, securing more than $200 million for the bridge between Revillagigedo and Gravina islands. Miles Glacier Bridge is a four-span through truss bridge located in the U.S. state of Alaska. But I made it out for a few photos and back in one piece. She said there wasn't enough money to . "[20] Later that month, at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Wasilla, Alaska, Democratic candidate Tony Knowles criticized Palin for supporting the Knik Arm Bridge, the Gravina Island Bridge, and a road north out of Juneau instead of rebuilding the Parks Highway. Thank you! "It was built to the standard to be able to have traffic moving at a decent clip," said state Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeremy Woodrow. the blue duck lodge located in the whanganui national park is a working cattle farm with a focus on conservation. Today, the lonely Bridge to Nowhere still arcs gracefully over the San Gabriel River, providing one of Southern Californias oddest, albeit epic, hiking destinations. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Bridge to Nowhere Gilahina Trestle, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. , Your email address will not be published. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. In November 2006, Sarah Palin is elected and from what we can tell, she was supporting it. CNN Special Investigations Unit. All rights reserved. When DOT last month selected a ferry as its preliminary "preferred alternative" for the project, the bridge cost estimate had climbed to $450 million. H.R. selfish shortsightedness in sending these scoundrels to Washington Sarah Palin holds up a T-shirt labeled "Nowhere, Alaska 99901" during a gubernatorial campaign forum in Ketchikan in 2006. All rights reserved. Then-Gov. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Thanks for the Ketchikan perspective. Gov. According to Alaskan state officials, the road project went ahead because the money came from the federal government, and would otherwise have had to be returned. It charges $6 per adult, with free same-day return, and $7 per automobile also with same day return as of April 2021.[9]. And she actively was an advocate for it. find themselves tarred by the same brush dipped in the muck of the Your email address will not be published. Funding for the "Bridge to Nowhere" was continued as of March 2, 2011, in the passing of H.R. "[47], Many media groups in the U.S. noted that Palin changed her position regarding the bridges, and concluded that she exaggerated her claim that she stopped the proposals from going through. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "It'd be nice to see them put something over here now they have a road: park, picnic benches, something to get people out here," said P.J. Well this helps put a face to the name. Bridge to Nowhere is an unforgettable hike, and an understandable Los Angeles favorite. [14] In his speech on the Senate floor, Stevens threatened to quit Congress if the funds were removed from his state. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users "Bridge to Nowhere", "Alaska: End Sought For 'Bridge To Nowhere', "Two 'Bridges to Nowhere' Tumble Down in Congress", House Vote #159 (Mar 2, 2011) On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H R 662 Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, "Alaska 'bridge to nowhere' plan is no more as state chooses ferry for Ketchikan", "Ketchikan Gravina Island Access Project", "Airport Ferry - Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK", "Ketchikan airport and ferry statistics for December 2006", "Gravina Access Project, Record of Decision, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Ketchikan, Alaska. June 22, 2022; justin jefferson under armour contract; guardala mouthpiece history; pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos Love Alaska? serve a tiny fraction of the state's citizens. And in the last few years, the Alaska Republican has been a poster boy for congressional spending critics. ANCHORAGE The bridge to nowhere is still trying to get somewhere. Crazy times. I think part of the cost also included some pretty extensive roads that would need to be built. Get credit for your contribution by submitting a complete place entry with photos. SIEGEL: Senator McCain has been assailing the Bridge to Nowhere as the epitome of what's wrong with Washington ever since the spring of 2004. the House leadership exactly what they think of this childish Keep up the great work! Follow it to find a gorge railroad bridge, where occasionally you may even see the Alaska Railroad pass overhead! Palin's campaign coordinator in the city, Republican Mike Elerding, remarked, "She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money." their august institution of democracy still maintains the moral Get more stories delivered right to your email. Federal Highway Administration spokesman Doug Hecox stated that Palin could have opted not to use the federal earmark, which would have allowed Congress the opportunity to send it to other federal needs. Alaska officially abandoned Friday a controversial $400 million public works project mockingly called the 'bridge to nowhere' that became a symbol of pork barrel spending. by the House of Representatives, and finally cancelled in 2015. Yep, looks wide enough for perhaps at least a 2 lane paved highway maybe a Micky Ds rest stop over there at the end. Unfinished highway bridges, Czech republic. . RMAJN58E - Florida Keys Old Overseas Highway Bridge Bridge to Nowhere old 7-mile bridge with missing section RM 2G88E11 - Dunbar, United Kingdom. Bridge to Nowhere photo, Ketchikan, Alaska. Mr. ASHDOWN: Yeah. DOT's Woodrow said that because the official "purpose and need" statement of the Gravina Access Project was not just to improve access to the airport but also to open developable land on Gravina Island, it is unlikely federal transportation officials will demand repayment. congressional leadership, support its resistance. Campaign spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said Palin would not have allowed the road project to go forward under normal circumstances. Getting here requires some work. money for the bridges to nowhere and Congress will apply the money His advertising and comments that (before September 21, 2006) contradicted Governor Sarah Palin's support of the bridge drew the attention of the media[46] when he chose Palin as his running mate, opening the ticket to charges of hypocrisy. And yes, the cruise ship issue is a huge money costing factor as well as far as how big the bridge would have to be. Keith Ashdown, the chief investigator for the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, is credited with naming the bridge. Sept. 19, 2008 12 AM PT. Market data provided by Factset. Most importantly, pushing back would show the nation that [1] The project encountered fierce opposition outside Alaska as a symbol of pork barrel spending and is labeled as one of the more prominent "bridges to nowhere". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. This is also the site of Southern Californias only commercial bungee-jumping operation, run by Bungee America. [38][39][40][41] Howard Kurtz called this a "whopper", writing: "She endorsed the remote project while running for governor in 2006, claimed to be an opponent only after Congress killed its funding the next year and has used the $223 million provided for it for other state ventures. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We will never spam or share your email! The "Bridge to Nowhere" still rankles in Ketchikan a decade after congressional opponents of earmarks used it to go after money for the bridge to nearby Gravina Island and the city's airport, but . And so, the governor had no options." Senator told a closed-door meeting of conservatives that the plan Palin has been heavily criticized for repeating the stock line about killing the "Bridge to Nowhere" without noting that she supported the project as a candidate for governor. I agree and consent to receiveemails from Visit California and its partners with special offers and exclusive content and that I am at least 18 years old, Its all form and no function at this architectural marvel. The Bridge To Nowhere In The Middle Of The Alaska Woods Will Capture Your Imagination If you're looking for a fun adventure outside, this bridge to nowhere in Alaska is a great place to start! effective thing that the residents of Ketchikan could do to help The Adults-Only Island In Alaska Where You Can Enjoy Some Much-Needed Peace And Quiet, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Alaska Is The Perfect Trip Destination, Denali Park Road To Mountain Vista Is Now Open Heres What You Need To Know, 4 Must-Visit Flea Markets In Alaska Where Youll Find Awesome Stuff, Follow The River On This Simple 2 Mile Hike Through The Mountains In Alaska, Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Alaska, This Abandoned Railway Hike In Alaska Is A Historic Treasure, The Easy, Scenic Horseshoe Lake Trail In Alaska Is A Trail The Whole Family Will Enjoy. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. Republican U.S. House candidates Sarah Palin (on screen) and Nick . Defunding the bridge, he said, So, we're going to have to make some tough choices. state-by-state allocation formula. While discussing the Gravina Island Bridge during an ABC News interview that aired on September 12, 2008, Charles Gibson made the following comment: "but it's now pretty clearly documented. It reaches 296 feet above Hurricane Creek for a full span of 918 feetthe longest and tallest bridge on the Alaska Railroad. Share your stories, Palin meets with world leaders ahead of VP debate, Obama: McCain wants to 'gamble' with Social Security, Read Abbie Boudreau's "backstory" blog on "Road to nowhere", Road on Alaskan island was built with some of $223 million in taxpayer money, Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein calls the road a waste of money, Road was supposed to be access connector to the failed 'Bridge to Nowhere', 'Bridge to Nowhere' has become symbol of excessive spending. Let us know in the comments below! [13], On October 21, 2005, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) offered an amendment to remove funds for the Gravina Island and Knik Arm bridges, and divert the funds to rebuild a bridge over Lake Pontchartrain that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. ", In the Ketchikan "We went through political hot water tons of it and not just nationally but internationally," Ketchikan-Gateway Borough Mayor Joe Williams said. Your first glimpse of the bridge is astonishingits much larger and majestic than youd expectbut the weirdness doesnt stop here. She has dropped the line from her stump speech in the past week, but a McCain-Palin aide said that her prepared remarks are being tweaked as needed to reflect current events, and it could come back again. "Maybe the 200,000 people who cross that bridge every day would have been safer than spending $233 million of your tax dollars on a bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it.". "We have nothing to show for it.". "The governor was left no viable alternative," Stapleton said. In American politics, Alaska is famous for wasted money on a "bridge to nowhere" in the early 2000s. They called the state's decision premature, saying it came without warning. If youre looking for a fun adventure outside, this bridge to nowhere in Alaska is a great place to start! The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. The project wasn't going to be cheap, though: $398 million was the projected cost, and the project encountered steep opposition in the United States Congress in 2005. $220 Million+ For A Bridge To An Island With 50 People?!? threat. You know, the senator has been committed to cutting wasteful spending for a long time. irresponsibility of many in Congress toward the money entrusted to Because the trestle sits right beside where the McCarthy Road currently runs, its become a significant vista for most visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; Id rather see it NOT maintained, and let it disappear into the woods over time, but thats clearly not going to happen. McCain himself also weighed in on the Gravina Island Bridge. Not all the people in that community even were asking for a $400 million or $300 million bridge. Coburn (R-OK) will offer an amendment to the Senate's appropriation Meandering through a forest, and along a gorgeous river, this hike offers it all. In August 2007, Alaska's Department of Transportation stated that it was "leaning" toward alternative ferry options, citing bridge costs and the reluctance of Governor Palin to pay the state's match to the appropriated federal funds. When asked if he felt the road was "a waste of taxpayer money", he responded, "Without the bridge, yeah." Bridge to Nowhere photo, Ketchikan, Alaska. Palin's Chief of Staff, Billy Moening, has been praised by many Republican strategists for recommending Palin change her stance on the bridge. It started in 2002, he says, when he got a tip about a huge pork barrel project. Further driving up costs were all the muskeg and peat that had to be removed and replaced with rock and gravel to get through the wetlands. transportation priorities instead of a useless bridge that would Sarah is speaking in Anchorage on Saturday, but I would rather be in Denali thats where Im heading! Mr. ASHDOWN: That's right. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska revolve corset tulle gown / self catering accommodation fish hoek / pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska By 21 Feb 2022 WASHINGTON President Biden's push to make his $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill a truly bipartisan affair is running up against a predictable but intractable problem: a lack of Republicans willing to come along. Great scenery, plenty of interesting details, and a clear, well-marked path. Its a 10-mile round-trip hike on the East Fork Trail along the San Gabriel River. Clifford Winston Sunday, April 13, 2014. JUNEAU -- The name "Bridge to Nowhere" still rankles in Ketchikan 10 years after congressional opponents of earmarks used it to attack federal money for the bridge to nearby Gravina Island and the city's airport. The Gravina Island bridge project is an embarrassment to the people Instead, the road now ends, as it has since it was completed years ago, amid nothing but muskeg and scrub forest. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1. Hopefully it works out for you Ron. Youll come along the river about halfway through your hike, and its a good place to take a quick rest if you need one. Located on a hiking trail in Denali National Park, this easy trail takes you along the river to a bridge right in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The following day, April 11th, 2004, John McCain goes on "Meet the Press" -he's interviewed by the late Tim Russert - and talks about ending pork barrel projects, wasteful spending. Please contact us through messages. [12] The west span of the bridge was designed to have a vertical clearance of 120 feet (37m), and the east span of the bridge was to have a vertical clearance of 200 feet (61m). This is the sort of challenge that fiscally LOL. The one section to the left looks like it is about to fall down already. "The concentration is not going to be on a $400 million bridge.".