Infrastructure News Summary
For June 25, 2008
MAPLECREST ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT APPROVED
WANE-TV
6/24/08
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - After more than 30 years on the books and hours of discussion in an Allen County Council public hearing, the Maplecrest Road Extension project was approved in a six to one vote Tuesday. Councilman Darren Vogt voted against the project. Councilmen Roy Buskirk, Mae Johnson, Paul Moss, Paula Hughes, Patt Kite, and Cal Miller voted to approve the $25 million bond to help fund it. The project would extend Maplecrest Road in Fort Wayne over the Maumee River and connect it to Adams Center Road at the 930 intersection in New Haven. http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=8549060&nav=0RYb
MONEY DISTRIBUTION ERROR; WEST LAFAYETTE REEVALUATES PROJECTS
WLFI
6/24/08
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission has less money for projects than it thought. The Commission recently learned the tax revenue it received last year was more than its fair share. West Lafayette Clerk-Treasurer Judy Rhodes said it appears every Tax Increment Finance district in the county, including West Lafayette's three TIF districts, received an overpayment in 2007. Rhodes said an error in the Tippecanoe County Auditor's office resulted in an incorrect distribution of money. hile school corporations and city governments received too little, the West Lafayette redevelopment commission received too much, an estimated $667,000 extra. Some of the proposed projects for 2008 include construction work on Yeager Road, Tapawingo Park improvements, extension of the Wabash Heritage Trail, roofing on Temporary Fire Station #3, and design of the new fire station. http://www.wlfi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8547034&nav=menu591_3
WORK ON IND. 37 DELAYING TRAFFIC
Bloomington Herald Times
Mercedes Rodriguez
6/24/08
Traffic jams and delays in the vicinity of Ind. 37 and East Third Street are
due to a $10 million road resurfacing project, according to the Indiana
Department of Transportation. The road rehabilitation project is working its way
along the highway in sections. It runs from the area of Ind. 37 near Monroe
Hospital to the Business Ind. 37/Walnut Street overpass, said Marvin Jenkins,
public information officer for INDOT. It is scheduled to be completed Nov. 22.
The project includes additional improvements, such as widening and extending
turn lanes.
For more information, please call TRIAD at 1-800-288-7423.
U.S. 31 MEETING THURSDAY
Noblesville Daily Times
6/24/08
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is hosting an informational
open house and public hearings at Carmel High School, 520 E. Main St., in
Carmel, Thursday to seek input on all aspects of the U.S. 31 Hamilton County
Major Moves project, including the environmental study and the design
alternatives. The project will upgrade U.S. 31 to freeway standards from
Interstate 465, at the Marion-Hamilton county line north to 216th Street. Once
complete, there will be new interchanges between I-465 and 216th Street in
Westfield. They will be at I-465/106th Street, 116th Street, 131st Street, 136th
Street, 146th/151st Street, 161st Street, Indiana 32, 191st Street and Indiana
38. The existing interchange at I-465/U.S. 31 (Meridian Street) will be
upgraded.
http://www.county29.net/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15571&Itemid=230
FUNDING A QUESTION FOR BIG FOUR PROJECT
The News and Tribune
David Mann
6/24/08
Officials are still trying to determine how best to pay the approximately $13 million costs associated with converting the Big Four Bridge into a pedestrian crossing between Southern Indiana and Louisville. Converting the abandoned railroad bridge has been long discussed - at least since the mid-1990s - but funding remains a question. Officials are looking to the Ohio River Bridges Project as a possible source of funding, according to Mike Kimmel, deputy director of Louisville's Waterfront Development Corp., which is in charge of the conversion. The Ohio River Bridges Project seeks to build two new spans between Indiana and Kentucky - one in downtown Jeffersonville and the other near Utica. An estimated $50 million pedestrian walkway is planned on the new downtown bridge that would be constructed as a part of that project. http://www.newsandtribune.com/clarkcounty/local_story_176104620.html
MAPLECREST PROJECT GETS GO AHEAD
Indiana's News Center
Jeff Neumeyer
6/24/08
FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- It took decades, but the Maplecrest Road extension finally has won approval. Allen County Council members voted 6 to 1 on Tuesday in favor of a large bond issue to fund the work that will connect Northeast Fort Wayne with New Haven. But it may take twenty to thirty years to fully grasp whether the project is worth the big commitment of taxpayer money. Supporters argue the 1.1 mile stretch of roadway and bridges that will link Lake Avenue to the north with State Road 930 in New Haven to the south will transform travel in the eastern part of Fort Wayne. But the 55-million dollar price tag, including 40 plus million dollars fronted by local taxpayers, made several county council members nervous. http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/20749444.html
EASTSIDE I-465 NOISE BARRIER CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING
The Indianapolis Star
Will Wingfield
6/25/08
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractors are making preparations to install new I-465 noise barriers between U.S. 40/Washington Street and 21st Street on the city's eastside. Over the past few weeks, construction activities have been gearing up as crews prepare the area for new noise barriers. Contractors are installing new guardrail that will prevent interstate traffic from colliding with the noise barriers. A certified arborist is also supervising trimming or removal of trees that interfere with noise barrier installation. Contractors anticipate they will begin drilling next week for steel posts that will support the noise barrier panels. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806250447