Infrastructure News Summary
For May 2, 2008

STATE LEADERS WELCOME CONSTRUCTION ON FORT TO PORT ROAD PROJECT
WTHI-TV
5/1/08

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - State leaders have broken ground on a $170 million road project to improve travel between Fort Wayne and Toledo, Ohio. The two-lane stretch of U.S. 24 in Indiana has been known as the "highway of death" for its high number of fatal crashes. The project will eventually link Fort Wayne and Toledo with an interstate-like highway. Indiana's portion is an 11-mile stretch running from I-469 outside Fort Wayne to the Ohio line. The first segment of that runs west of Indiana 101 to the state line. Ohio started construction last year, and the states plan to link the highway at the border next year. Indiana will then complete the expansion west to New Haven. http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8255775&nav=menu593_2
Also, http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/LOCAL/805010341/1002/LOCAL

NEW HARMONY BRIDGE
THE ISSUE: RURAL SPAN IS OPEN AGAIN.
OUR VIEW: FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE NEXT TIME.
Evansville Courier & Press
5/1/08

The span over the Wabash River at New Harmony, Ind., continues to be the "little bridge that could." Each time it looks as if the 77-year-old span might finally be doomed to destruction, it is brought back to life again to serve a multitude of rural needs. The question is how many more times it can be saved before someone comes up with a permanent solution, one that continues to serve people in the Wabash River bottoms. This last time the bridge was closed in September after an inspection found a growing crack in a concrete pier that could have endangered the superstructure. No doubt some who depend on the bridge thought this might be the end. Only a few years before, the Indiana Department of Transportation had suggested it might be best for all concerned to bring it down. When the bridge is open, its daily traffic count runs 800 to 900 crossings, not a lot by big-city standards, but important all the same to rural residents. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/may/02/new-harmony-bridge-the-issue-rural-span-is-open/

NEW URGENCY IN ALLEN COUNTY BRIDGE REPAIR DEBATE
Indiana's News Center
Jeff Neumeyer
5/1/08

FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- Fort Wayne officials say they were caught off guard by a letter from the Allen County Commissioners setting a January first deadline for the transfer of bridge maintenance responsibilities to the various cities and towns in the county. Members of a bridge task force had been meeting for months, after county leaders sought a helping hand to pay for bridge repairs. The talk moved to action when the county commissioners fired off a letter Tuesday to the cities and towns, saying it is no longer feasible for the commissioners to accept the sole responsibility. The letter urges the individual communities to look within their own budgets to try and fund bridge repairs. http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/18461424.html

ROUNDABOUT SOUGHT FOR PUBLIC INTERSECTION
The Indianapolis Star
5/2/08

Greenwood " Plans are in the works to replace the Fairview and Morgantown roads intersection with a roundabout, said county Highway Director Gary Vandegriff. The project would be the first roundabout on Johnson County roads, excluding those found in some subdivisions such as Kensington Grove in White River Township, according to Vandegriff. A federal grant would cover 80 percent of the project's estimated $800,000 construction cost. The county's share totals about $160,000. Design bids for the project are due in mid-May, and Vandegriff expects to present the bids to the County Commissioners at the end of the month. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080502/LOCAL0402/805020439/1001/NEWS