Infrastructure News Summary
For May 12, 2008

ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTH BEND
WSJV-TV
5/11/08

Commuting to and from South Bend could become a challenge for the next several months. Road crews will begin construction on three major intersections. At Ireland Road and Miami Street, expect lane restrictions as crews are working on street lighting and sidewalks. Portage Avenue at Kinyon, Queen, Bulla, McCartney, and King Streets could see delays as crews work on pedestrian crossings there. Finally, Twyckenham and South Bend Avenue will be closed for the next week as workers install a water main extension. http://www.fox28.com/News/index.php?ID=37356

SUMMER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO AFFECT TRAFFIC AROUND PURDUE
Lafayette Online Community News
5/9/08

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Several construction projects will cause vehicular and pedestrian traffic disruptions this summer on the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University. This list (with links to maps) from Physical Facilities includes the major construction disruptions, which will begin on or after Monday, May 12. Travelers are asked to be alert and to be patient as staff and contractors work to complete the projects before the start of the fall semester.
http://www.lafayette-online.com/news/community/2008/05/summer-construction-projects-purdue-traffic-2/

COUNTY BRIDGES GET CASH
FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP FIX 4 SPANS
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Amanda Iacone
5/9/08

Allen County has received federal money for the Bostick Road bridge project in southeast Allen County. Indiana Department of Transportation officials signed off on giving the county $399,663 for the project, which includes building a bridge and rehabilitating the historic one-lane bridge over the St. Marys River. The bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic since April 2004. INDOT also awarded more than $1 million to the county for three other bridge projects. Allen County was one of six municipalities competing for about $30 million in federal bridge money this spring, the state agency said. http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/LOCAL/805090342/-1/LOCAL08

BLUE BLUFF BRIDGE GETS REHAB MONEY
Reporter-Times
5/10/08

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Friday that it had awarded $852,000 from the Local Public Agency bridge fund to Morgan County to rehabilitate Bridge No. 57 that crosses the White River on Blue Bluff Road. Morgan County has agreed to pay 20 percent in matching funds for the project. The 1974 bridge carries 2,500 vehicles per day and was identified as structurally deficient. The project will replace the bridge's deck and failed expansion joints. http://www.reporter-times.com/stories/2008/05/10/news.qp-2347104.sto

GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR NEW U.S. 231 WORK
Evansville Courier & Press
5/12/08

Governor Mitch Daniels, Spencer County leaders and other officials will gather in Lincoln City Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony on two new phases of the U.S. 231 Spencer County Corridor. The work is part of a five-phase, $146 million project in Spencer County funded by Daniels' Major Moves construction program. The work will ultimately create a four-lane roadway from the Ohio River to Interstate 64. According to a news release issued by the Indiana Department of Transportation, U.S. 231 is currently "a two-lane rural road with inadequate capacity, with trucks and freight haulers making up a large percent of the total overall traffic." http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/may/12/groundbreaking-set-new-us-231-work/

MAPLECREST ROAD STUDY: GO NOW
COUNTY OFFICIALS SCRUTINIZE TAX, INCOME PROJECTIONS.
The News-Sentinel
Kevin Leininger
5/10/08

A $30,000 study has concluded it makes financial sense to spend about $50 million to build 1.5 miles of roads and bridges. At least that's how the Allen County Commissioners seem to read it. "It looks favorable to me. Now's the time to get things done," Commissioner Bill Brown said Friday while discussing a draft of the report prepared by the Indianapolis consulting firm of RW Armstrong. It assesses the feasibility of extending Maplecrest Road south from Lake Avenue over the St. Marys River to Adams Center Road. "The project is a go," agreed Commissioner Linda Bloom. But County Council will have to reach a similar conclusion before work can begin - a vote that could come as soon as next week. The report is significant for at least two reasons, the commissioners said. It estimates economic activity and employment the project would induce and also assesses the amount of money available for the project. Special tax incremental financing (TIF) districts that would capture increased taxes generated within the area would provide about $41 million over 25 years. The project has also received $11 million in federal funds and more from state and local governments. http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/SE/20080510/NEWS/805100313

REZONING, BUILDING PLANS DRAW RESIDENTS' INTEREST
The NWI Times
Bob Moulesong
5/12/08

SOUTH HOLLAND | The first meeting of the village's Planning and Development Commission since January brought out a sizeable contingent of village residents Wednesday. The first matter dealt with railroad property at the intersection of 168th Street and South Park Avenue, and the village's intention to rezone the area from light industrial to residential to provide a "friendly buffer" between residents and railroads. The rezoning would prohibit Canadian National Railway, Union Pacific and CSX from bringing in light industrial business to the area, said Virgil Jordan, the village's assistant director of Planning and Development. The rezoning would allow future development only if it were residential, and there would be no growth in railroad activity from the petition, Jordan said. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2008/05/12/news/illiana/docca93df848c9497c18625744600783476.txt