Infrastructure News Summary
For June 16, 2008

FIRST STAGE OF HAMILTON BOULEVARD STARTED
ROAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THREE PHASES
Times-Mail News
Krystal Slaten
6/15/08

MITCHELL - It's becoming obvious that after nearly a decade of planning and discussion, Hamilton Boulevard is becoming a reality, and the road will finally open up the city of Mitchell's 98-acre industrial park to development possibilities. The road is being constructed in three phases, and the city of Mitchell has received nearly $10 million for its construction, and another $1 million will be tossed in by an anonymous donor. The first phase of the road will stretch from Meridian Road to Rabbitsville Road. The second phase will bring the road east from Ind. 37 to Rabbitsville Road. The third phase will be the construction of a bridge that will bring the road over the railroad.
http://www.tmnews.com/stories/2008/06/15/news.nw-498865.tms

CHEERS ON 212
INDIANA 212 BRIDGE IS REOPENED
The News-Dispatch
6/13/08

Cheers to the Indiana Department of Transportation and Superior Construction of Gary for the quick fashion in which they replaced the Indiana 212 bridge. The bridge was closed last August because an inspection showed dangerous levels of corrosion. In just 10 months, INDOT advertised and accepted bids and Superior Construction demolished and replaced the bridge. While it was an inconvenience for residents and businesses near the bridge for 10 months, the work would have taken much longer had it not been put on a fast track. http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=14612&TM=39909.56
Also, http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=14581&TM=40036.06

RESURFACING PROJECT BEGINS NEAR IUS
The News and Tribune
6/13/08

The Indiana Department of Transportation has begun a resurfacing project on Grant Line Road extending to the Ind. 60 intersection along Ind. 111. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction while workers are milling and paving the roadway, according to an INDOT news release. The project is scheduled for completion by July 26, depending on the weather. The almost six-mile project was awarded to Gohmann Asphalt and Construction Co. Inc. of Clarksville, with a bid of $629,000. http://www.newsandtribune.com/local/local_story_165100257.html

FUNDING FOR U.S. 231 SOLVED
CONSTRUCTION LIKELY TO BEGIN IN AUG. '09
Journal & Courier
Dorothy Schneider
6/13/08

Plans for a new U.S. 231 bypass in West Lafayette are moving forward -- finally. An informal contingent of state, county and local officials, who've been working since last year to bridge a funding gap that put the project on hold, heard Thursday that construction of the new road should begin in August 2009. It's good news for West Lafayette residents, including Russell Coverdale, who'd like to see the current U.S. 231 and roads leading into it less clogged. Officials were able to brainstorm ways to cut $9.3 million in costs on the project and funnel $12.7 million in new funds toward it. This allows the $88.7 million project to move forward. http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/NEWS02/806130314

ALIGNMENT SELECTED FOR WASHINGTON ST. BRIDGE
Herald Journal
6/16/08

INDOT suggests a new alignment slightly to the north of the current structure. Gary Creigh, owner of Tall Timbers Marina on the east side of Washington Street Bridge breathed a small sigh of relief Wednesday after hearing of new bridge alignment plans put out by Indiana Department of Transportation. The 1940s era bridge across the Tippecanoe River has been in need of either rehabilitation or replacement as a result of inspections in recent years. In 2006, INDOT held a public meeting to present options that included rehabilitation, or replacement with a new bridge onto Broadway Street. Another option called for the relocation of Tall Timbers Marina and a new bridge built to the north of the existing structure and running into Washington Street. Last year rehabilitation was dropped altogether and it looked like the new bridge would follow the Broadway option through downtown Monticello, but residents and business owners objected - strongly - and Creigh has been in limbo waiting on a decision to learn if he would have to relocate. http://www.thehj.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=23715

BRIDGE OVER I-94
PROPOSAL RUNS INTO OPPOSITION
The News-Dispatch
6/12/08

In theory it's a good idea to connect Patriot Park with the rest of Michigan City via a walking and bicycling trail that would include a bridge over Interstate 94. But the proposal that was presented by the engineering consulting firm of Beam, Longest and Neff needs a lot more work before taxpayers and residents who live along County Road 950 West are satisfied. First, the estimated $2.3 million price tag is beyond the means of the La Porte County Park Department, which is the lead agency pushing the plan. "It's just not fiscally feasible at this point," said Tim Morgan, superintendent of the county parks. Beyond that, the small cluster of home owners who live along the dead-end section of County Road 950 West south of I-94 to Patriot Park are not happy that the plan calls for the trail to run through their front yards. That's not an idea anyone would welcome. http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=14570&TM=40026.73

LLOYD-FULTON RESTRICTIONS START TODAY
Evansville Courier & Press
6/16/08

Part of the Lloyd Expressway near Fulton Avenue will be reduced by one lane in each direction starting today, Indiana Department of Transportation officials announced. The inside, median lane of both the eastbound and westbound Lloyd will close today and remain shut down through Friday while crews work on the area. The work comes as crews begin a $32.4 million project to build an interchange at the intersection. Groundbreaking for that project is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jun/16/lloyd-fulton-restrictions-start-today/

NEW ROCKVILLE ROAD RESTRICTIONS BEGIN TODAY
The Indianapolis Star
Will Wingfield
6/16/08

As Accelerate 465 contractors gear up to demolish and rebuild the U.S. 36/Rockville Road interchange, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will implement a new traffic there pattern starting today. All cloverleaf-style loop ramps will be closed starting Monday and the Rockville Road exit will operate more like a traditional diamond interchange. On either end of the bridge over I-465, temporary traffic signals will allow traffic to turn left at the top of the diagonal ramps. However, the Rockville Road ramp entering I-465 southbound is expected to remain closed until Saturday, June 21. Also starting today, U.S. 36/Rockville Road from High School Road to Mickley Avenue will share the south half of the roadway that is typically occupied by the eastbound lanes. For the duration of road construction, traffic will be restricted to two narrow lanes in each direction with short turn lanes. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806160390
Also, http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806120500

COUNTY PLANS TO LOBBY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR RIVERWALK'S PHASE 2
The Indianapolis Star
Chris Sikich
6/14/08

NOBLESVILLE -- County officials are planning a trip in early 2009 to Washington, D.C., to lobby for federal funds for the $2.3 million second phase of the Riverwalk project. Phase 1 should be complete this year, commissioner's assistant Fred Swift told Noblesville's downtown steering committee Friday at City Hall. That committee is in charge of revitalizing downtown, and members suggested the city become more involved in the second of the three-phase Riverwalk project. The Indiana Department of Transportation awarded the first-phase contract to Ohio-based Sunesis Construction for $961,981. That will create a walkway from the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center to the county parking lot south of Conner, mainly to allow county employees to avoid crossing the busy road. Phase 2 will create a path from there to the Forest Park trailhead on Eighth Street, which in essence would finish a trail from Riverside Cemetery to Potter's Bridge. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806140359