Infrastructure News Summary
For November 05, 2007

SLIPPERY I-64 STRETCH RESURFACED
Evansville Courier & Press
11-03-07

Transportation officials may have found a solution for a confounding stretch of westbound Interstate 64 where water occasionally pooled, despite a lack of apparent faults on the roadway surface. The 27.4-mile marker in Gibson County - about halfway between the U.S. 41 and Interstate 164 interchanges - has been the scene of six wrecks caused by hydroplaning since the beginning of 2006. The wrecks have resulted in one fatality. INDOT engineers inspected the area for an array of faults in the pavement, but found it within state regulations. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/nov/03/slippery-i-64-stretch-resurfaced/

TOWN'S SPECIAL CENSUS TO TAKE 6 MORE WEEKS
Indianapolis Star
11-05-07

The Fishers Special Census, which began more than a month ago, is moving at a slower pace than planned because of a shortage of workers. "But our goal is to count every resident," said Cindy Reynolds, the census bureau's manager for special censuses in the Chicago region. She said the census should wrap up in about six weeks. The town is paying $565,000 for the recount, its second since the 2000 decennial census.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/LOCAL0102/711050358/1006/LOCAL

AVON ROUNDABOUT WILL CLOSE FOR TODAY
Indianapolis Star
Josh Duke
11-03-07

Avon work crews planned to close the Dan Jones Road-Hendricks County Road 100 South intersection today to wrap up a long-awaited roundabout project. If all goes as planned, both lanes of the roundabout should open to traffic by the end of the day, said Ryan Cannon, Avon's public works director. The intersection had limited use since it opened as a roundabout last month. Only the outer lane remained open as crews finished the inner portion of the circular intersection. Workers now need to completely close the intersection from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to finish paving. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071103/LOCAL/711030411/1020/LOCAL05

SOME INDIANA CITIES' PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GETS SMART TECHNOLOGY
Indianapolis Star
Associated Press
11-04-07

A bus service for the elderly and disabled has increased its rider capacity 50 percent by installing computers that help guide drivers to their next stops. The computer, called "Ranger," helps bus drivers find the fastest route to riders' homes and destinations. Along with computerized dispatching, it's given a big boost to rider capacity on the Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp.'s 24-bus fleet. http://www2.indystar.com/articles/4/253256-2694-127.html

NO QUICK FIX IN SIGHT FOR TRAFFIC TIE-UP
NWI Times
Joyce Russell
11-05-07

Portage - There is a project on the books to lessen traffic congestion at the intersection of Central Avenue and Airport Road. But drivers might have to wait a while because there's no local funding to complete the project. Director of Public Works Craig Hendrix, also a commission member, said there is a plan in the works to improve Central Avenue eastward from Hamstrom Road to approximately Churchview Drive. That section of Central Avenue is now only one lane each way. It would be expanded to match Central Avenue to the west of Hamstrom Road. The city is scheduled to receive $1.4 million in federal funding next year for the project, said Hendrix, but the city is required to come up with a local match and engineering funds. The local share could total $500,000, he said, and it is money the city simply doesn't have. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/05/news/porter_county/doc682dd5b09df70d158625738a0008c049.txt

PAYING THE FREIGHT FOR COMMUTER RAIL
NWI Times
Phil Wieland
11-03-07

Columnist Phil Wieland writes: "As I wrote recently, the total cost of extending commuter rail service to Lowell and Valparaiso is estimated at $1 billion. With the federal government willing to split the tab and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority anteing up another $150 million, the funding gap is a mere $350 million. … Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said the annual increase in the Porter County economic development income tax revenue could provide $7 million a year for 20 years to finance the county's portion without any new taxes. Lake County would have to find its own rainbow. Landgrebe, president of Landgrebe Motor Transport in Valpo, went Costas one better saying the Valparaiso leg ("Let Lowell find it's own funding.") can be funded with the proceeds from the sale of Porter hospital. … Landgrebe sent a copy of his plan to all the county councilmen and the county commissioners. I'm guessing he probably shouldn't bother waiting by his mailbox for a reply." http://www.nwi.com/articles/2007/11/05/columnists/phil_wieland/doca0587ca9c37796e68625738800011508.txt