Infrastructure News Summary
For July 14, 2008
WESTFIELD APPROVES $3.4M WORTH OF ROAD, SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
Noblesville Daily Times
Jonathan Babalola
7/12/08
A Westfield board has set the stage for six different area projects aimed at
road improvements and infrastructure upgrades totaling more than $3.4 million.
The city's Board of Public Works and Safety accepted bids Thursday from five
separate companies - four from Indiana - to complete various projects, which are
all expected to begin this summer. The city will pay more than $1.1 million for
road improvements at 151st Street and Carey Road. The reconstruction of the
intersection will change that area from its current standard four-way crossroads
to a roundabout. Calumet Civil Contractors will oversee the project.
http://www.county29.net/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16139&Itemid=230
INDOT ANNOUNCES SR. 58 ROAD CLOSURE FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Greene County Daily World
7/11/08
The Indiana Department of Transportation is announcing that it will be
closing State Road 58 ] in Greene and Lawrence counties between State Road 45
(SR 45) and State Road 54 (SR 54) for resurfacing work. The closure will take
place for a resurfacing and pipe replacement contract that was awarded during
the April 2 letting. The $1.3 million dollar contract was awarded to Dave O'Mara
Contractor of North Vernon. http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1444111.html
I-69 CONSTRUCTION OFF TO A ROCKY START
THIS WEEK'S MYSTERY I-69 GROUNDBREAKING PROMISES PROTEST ALONG WITH CELEBRATION
Bloomington Herald Times
Mike Leonard
7/13/08
When former Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez heard last week that supporters
of I-69 planned to stage an "invitation only" groundbreaking ceremony
on private property this week, he was stunned. It's a public project to be
financed with taxpayers' money - but the groundbreaking is closed to the public?
By Friday, it appeared that sentiments such as those expressed by Fernandez had
reached the ears of the sponsoring organization, Hoosier Voices for I-69. Voices
spokesman Steve Schaefer said that his group had changed its plans and will
announce the time and location of the event on Monday. An area for protesters to
assemble will be provided. But the event itself will remain private and open
only to invited guests. Representatives of the Indiana Department of
Transportation will be there, according to communications director Andy Dietrick.
For more information, please call TRIAD at 1-800-288-7423.
COUNTY TO UPGRADE INTERSECTION
SURPLUS CASH FROM TAX DISTRICTS TO PAY FOR COOK-HUGUENARD WORK
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Amanda Iacone
7/12/08
The Allen County Commissioners Friday agreed to spend $940,000 to improve the
intersection of Cook and Huguenard roads. The county will tap into leftover
money from two tax increment financing districts in the area to pay for the road
project. County officials plan to close out the districts, sending additional
property tax dollars to local government. Senior planner Scott Harrold plans to
notify taxing units that serve the Cook and Huguenard road areas that the county
will no longer collect taxes from the two districts after this year. The two
special taxing districts will generate more than $500,000 this year. In 2009,
those tax dollars will go to the city of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Community
Schools and Washington Township to cover general government needs, Harrold said.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/LOCAL/807120324/1002/LOCAL
BUMPY RIDE ON U.S. 41
WTHI
7/11/08
VIGO COUNTY, Ind (WTHI)- Driving on U.S. 41 these days can be a bit bumpy
around the Vigo, Sullivan County line. Bumps, cracks and Divets. That's what
drivers face when traveling north on U.S. 41. From route 246 to Interstate 70,
41 is being patched up. Most recently you'll find this new strip of asphalt down
the center of the highway. "The centerline joint on u.s. 41 in that area
needed patching so that's why they are out there doing that at this time,"
said Debbie Calder with the Indiana Department of Transportation. "The
whole road is tore up and all they are doing is going along and patching things,
why don't they just fix the whole road," said Pat Tovey who travels U.S.
highway 41 frequently. INDOT says that's the first step before moving on with
the rest of the repaving project. "This is an 8.5 million dollar project
that was awarded to Wabash valley asphalt," said Calder. http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8662800&nav=menu593_2
MICHAEL: END SALES TAX ON GASOLINE
The Brazil Times
Jason Moon
7/11/08
The political season is officially underway as many current office holders
and those aspiring to take office are traveling throughout their respective
districts. On Friday, candidate for State Representative in District 44 Nancy
Michael, a Democrat, visited Brazil with one thing in mind. She wants to get rid
of sales tax on gasoline. Michael conducted a press conference Friday in the
parking lot next to Gas America, 2030 E. National Ave., Brazil, calling on Gov.
Mitch Daniels to suspend the sales tax on gasoline for the rest of the summer.
She said she's been going door-to-door with voters during her campaign run,
asking them what was on their mind. The result she found was Hoosiers wanted to
see gasoline prices come down. Michael said by suspending the sales tax on
gasoline, citizens across the state will save money. Michael said Indiana is one
of only seven states nationwide that have a sales tax on gasoline, something she
would like to remedy. http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1444108.html
HENRY SAYS CITY WON'T PAY FOR COUNTY BRIDGE MAINTENANCE
Fort Wayne Daily News
7/11/08
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has accepted the commissioners invitation to join
the Bridge Maintenance Task Force. However, he made it pretty clear in his
letter that the city of Fort Wayne does not plan on paying for their own bridge
maintenance. In his letter to the commissioners, Henry says he is concerned
about the legality of the county trying to push the bridge funding off onto the
cities and towns in Allen County. The city attorney says according to state law
if at one time there was a cumulative bridge fund, then the county is
responsible. Allen County had a bridge fund up until 2002, according to
NewsChannel 15. The county disagrees with this interpretation, which means that
bridge maintenance has been put on hold. The commissioners see this letter as a
major set back. http://www.fwdailynews.com/articles/2008/07/11/times/times_online/doc48775787cdc56132527737.txt