Bridge reopening a boon for Indiana, Kentucky businesses

A bridge closure that had created marketing challenges for companies in and around New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, may soon be coming to an end.

The Courier-Journal reports that the Sherman Minton Bridge, originally slated to reopen on March 1, may open one week earlier. It had been shut down for repairs after a crack on a load-bearing beam was discovered in September 2011.

At the time the bridge was initially closed, the news outlet had reported that many businesses in southern Indiana were offering deals, coupons and discounts in an attempt to get customers through their doors.

New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan noted in an interview with that newspaper than many of the businesses in the region had struggled after the bridge was closed to traffic. "We are more than ready for that bridge to reopen," he said. Greg Fischer, the Louisville Mayor, noted that having greater cross-river mobility was vital to commerce and commuter convenience in both states.

In an interview with WHAS, the marketing director for Horseshoe Casino, Andy Matheis, admitted that the company's foot traffic had declined as a result of the bridge closure.