Infrastructure News Summary
For July 11, 2008

WINONA LAKE CR 250E PROJECT CONTINUES, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST
Times-Union
Jennifer Peryam
7/10/08

WINONA LAKE - Renovations to CR 250E and Pierceton Road in Winona Lake began a year ago. Roads have been closed and traffic rerouted to allow roads to be re-asphalted and new storm drains installed. Phend & Brown began the $3.2 million project in August. The area between Lakeland Christian Academy and Lexington Manor Subdivision is scheduled to be completed and reopened to traffic by July 18, weather dependent, according to Town Coordinator Craig Allebach. The last layer of asphalt and curb and gutter is scheduled to be completed July 18. County road 250E from Pierceton Road to Wooster Road should be re-opened July 18. New storm drains and curb and gutters have been installed at the intersections of U.S. 30 and CR 250E, Wooster Road and CR 250E, and Pierceton Road and CR 250E. http://www.timesuniononline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=224&ArticleID=34103&TM=68677.97

COUNTY BRIDGE PLAN REJECTED
MAYOR HENRY SAYS RAISING WHEEL TAX ISN'T AN OPTION.
The News-Sentinel
Kevin Leininger
7/10/08

Wednesday, Mayor Tom Henry officially rejected the Allen County Commissioners' plan to fund maintenance of bridges - in a letter members of the news media saw before its intended recipients did. "It's bush-league. This set intergovernmental cooperation back 15 years," Commissioner Nelson Peters fumed today - anger directed not only at the fact he received the letter from reporters but also by its contents. City spokeswoman Rebecca Karcher said the letter was mailed to commissioners Wednesday and released to the media today. With an estimated $36 million needed to maintain about 330 bridges over the next nine years, county officials in April proposed an increase in the local wheel tax and surtax they said could raise at least $31.5 million during that time. Only County Council has the power to increase the taxes, but officials in cities and towns were asked to support the increase and to return the money to the county, which would continue to maintain all bridges. http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS/807100328

IND. 1 TO BE CLOSED AT MISSISSINEWA BRIDGE
The Star Press
7/10/8

FARMLAND - Ind. 1 could close as early as Monday at the Mississinewa River bridge in Randolph County between Farmland and Redkey. Indianapolis contractor Schutt-Lookabill will begin making repairs to the four-span structure. The $945,141 bridge maintenance project includes reconstruction of bearing pedestals, mud walls and column caps as well as replacing the 411-foot bridge deck and both roadway approaches. All assemblies, railings and attachments will be cleaned and painted. http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS01/807100362/1002

COUNTY TAKING BIDS FOR BRIDGE
The Washington-Times Herald
7/11/08

The Board of Commissioners of Daviess County will receive sealed bids until 5:00 p.m., E.D.T., on July 28, 2008 at the Daviess County Auditor's Office at the Courthouse, Washington, Indiana 47501 for the construction of Bridge No. 281 on County Road 150W, north of U.S. 50. Contract documents, including specifications are available at the Daviess County Highway Department located at 5247 E 100 N, Montgomery, Indiana, (812) 444-5798. http://www.washtimesherald.com/legalnotices/local_story_193095003.html

EXPECT A SLOWER TRIP: LANE SHIFTS ON EASTBOUND LLOYD EXPRESSWAY ABOVE PIGEON CREEK
Evansville Courier & Press
7/11/08

Another step in the construction of the new Lloyd Expressway-Fulton Avenue interchange is under way: Lane shifts that divide eastbound traffic atop Pigeon Creek on the West Side. The new interchange, which should be complete in October 2010, will look similar to the current interchange at Green River Road and the Lloyd Expressway. The total cost of the project is $32.4 million. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jul/11/expect-slower-trip-lane-shifts-eastbound-lloyd-exp/?partner=yahoo_headlines

NEW I-74 INTERCHANGE DELAYED UNTIL TUESDAY
The Indianapolis Star
7/11/08

Brownsburg " The opening of the new I-74 interchange at Ronald Reagan Parkway near Brownsburg will be delayed again. The interchange -- originally scheduled to open Wednesday, then today because of weather-related construction delays -- will open Tuesday after the morning rush hour, state officials said Thursday. The $17.4 million Major Moves project includes a diamond interchange about two miles east of Brownsburg's Ind. 267 exit. The project also includes a new bridge over I-74 and construction of a section of the Ronald Reagan Parkway from 56th Street to U.S. 136. A bridge that could cost $12 million remains to be built over the CSX rail yard in Avon. Also, a two-mile stretch between County Road 300 North and U.S. 136 near Brownsburg remains to be scheduled. County officials admitted funding will determine when construction on those projects, and others to fill in the gaps in the parkway, will begin. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/LOCAL0503/807110416