Infrastructure News Summary
For November 08, 2007

GREENWOOD MAYOR WANTS I-65 INTERCHANGE
Indianapolis Star
Jason Thomas
11-07-07

After winning Tuesday's election, Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson set his sights on the next four years and his top priorities. High on the list is working with INDOT on rebuilding Worthsville Road into an east-west corridor, and building a new interchange at I-65 and Worthsville. Rejuvenating Main Street -- the city's historic shopping district -- and figuring out how to develop a new 72-acre park on Greenwood's Southwestside should keep Henderson busy in his fourth term. "The priority is to keep the infrastructure up," said Henderson. Turning Worthsville Road into a four-lane thoroughfare to relieve congestion along Main Street and Smith Valley Road has been talked about for years. Adding an I-65 interchange at Worthsville would give White River Township residents a new access point, and could help congestion on Main. "I know it can't happen in my term, but we can at least get the state to agree with (the interchange), and start rebuilding (Worthsville Road) into a corridor," Henderson said. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/LOCAL040206/711070533/0/LOCAL190501

COUNCIL READY TO ROLL WITH PROJECTS
Indianapolis Star
Chris Sikich
11-08-07

Noblesville - Road projects, public safety, parks and downtown are among the items City Council members plan to address over the next four years. Dale Snelling wants to move ahead on the north/south Union Chapel Road extension from 146th Street to Ind. 38 and eventually Ind. 32. He said it's important to start the long project that includes land acquisition in addition to the road work as soon as possible. Brian Ayer also wants to work on infrastructure, and he wants to make sure the downtown strategic development plan and Parks Department projects keep moving forward. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/LOCAL0104/711080359/1006/LOCAL

EXPRESS BUSES DRAW RIDERS
Indianapolis Star
John Tuohy
11-08-07

The number of passengers on the Fishers Express bus from Fishers to Downtown Indianapolis has increased more than 30 percent its first three weeks in service. The buses carried 208 riders on the first day, Oct. 15, and averaged 229 passengers that week. By the end of last week, the average daily ridership had risen to 307 passengers. Monday, the express bus hit its highest number of passengers in a day -- 379. "We are running to about 50 percent capacity and hope to keep increasing," said Mike Terry, IndyGo's vice president for business development. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/LOCAL0102/711080317/1015/LOCAL01

TAX BENEFITS MAY BE DETOURED
Indianapolis Star
Josh Duke
11-08-07

Brownsburg leaders have dreamed for years of a new I-74 interchange that would open more land for industrial development. With construction on the interchange underway, the community's dream of reaping tax income from that development would appear close to reality. But Hendricks County officials may be set to redirect tax income to finish the rest of the parkway. So far, about half of the 15-mile stretch is built, and county leaders feel establishing a tax increment financing district is one of their best options to complete the road from I-70 to the Hendricks County line north of Brownsburg. "It is hard to be against it," said County Commissioner Eric Wathen, who also lives in Brownsburg. "If not TIF, I ask, where else can we get the funding?" Financial consultants believe the districts are the fairest way to fund infrastructure costs because any other user tax, such as a wheel tax, affects the entire county. However, creating a tax increment financing district would redirect money away from local schools and government agencies that depend on property. County leaders looked at two options this week mapping out possible Ronald Reagan Parkway tax increment financing districts. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/LOCAL0503/711080382/1020/LOCAL05

GARY MAYOR DROPS BACKING FOR NEW SOUTH SHORE STATION
South Bend Tribune
Associated Press
11-08-07

Gary (AP) - The city's mayor has withdrawn his support for building a new station for the South Shore commuter rail line that would include stores and a parking garage. A developer has proposed building the new station near the Interstate 65 and U.S. 20 intersection east of downtown Gary, a location that would be more convenient for commuters driving to the station from communities south of Gary. Mayor Rudy Clay said that over the past two weeks he had reconsidered the letter he sent to the developers stating he "heartily endorsed" the proposal. Clay said he believed the South Shore station should remain in the city's downtown because of planned projects such as redevelopment of a long-closed Sheraton hotel and its closeness to the city's bus station. Mark Titus, the lead developer on the project, said building the new station to Gary's downtown would double its cost and not generate enough ridership to support it. http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/News/71108030/-1/NEWS&updates=1

COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERS CANAL ROAD PROJECT BID
Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Howard Greninger
11-07-07

Terre Haute - With a $19.8 million construction bid in hand, Vigo County Council members must decide within 60 days on how to pay for the two-phase Canal Road project. The bid from Walsh Construction Co. must be awarded as a contract within 60 days, or costs could rise. Some council members favor using cash on hand and paying off any bond issue as fast as possible, avoiding a long-term bond issue. The council's special project committee met Wednesday to discuss the matter. Councilman Brad Anderson, R-4th, said he would like to see a 10-year funding plan. "Whatever we do, we can't wait any longer because the cost has nearly doubled from what we originally figured this would cost us because of the time delay," Anderson said. "We definitely have to get this thing started or we will never be able to afford to do it. "We have to look at money on hand to borrow, or bond less," he said. Anderson asked the auditor's office to provide figures on the County Economic Development Income Tax, commonly called EDIT, for 2006 and 2007 and on money in a Pfizer bond issue that could be used for Canal Road. http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_311225421.html

GRIFFITH HOPES TO JUMP-START DEVELOPMENT
NWI Times
Louisa Murzyn

Councilman Stanley Dobosz announced the town will be sending a letter to Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., regarding the purchase of the EJ&E Railroad by Canadian National Railway. Dobosz said there is concern about additional traffic, hazardous waste, ungated crossings, train speeds and length, noise pollution, maintenance and right of way. Visclosky last week said he is opposed to the purchase because of the "track record" of both railroads in holding up important public projects, notably not making way for the Gary/Chicago International Airport expansion or providing rights of way for the South Shore West Lake extension. However, both railroads are pledging to honor any pre-existing agreements with the airport, news reports indicate. Canadian National has said no to South Shore for use of their tracks from Munster to Valparaiso. However, the South Shore is attempting to negotiate with Canadian National about rights of way. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/08/news/lake_county/docb2743cb96bf931e98625738d00141a86.txt

V-LINE FINISHES A GOOD FIRST MONTH IN VALPO
NWI Times
Phil Wieland
11-08-07

The first month of bus service averaged 81 passengers a day with little advertising, so Ryan Landers is optimistic the service will reach its first-year goal of about 5,000 passengers a month. Landers, general manager of McDonald Transit Associates, which is operating the V-Line bus service for the city, said the 2,198 passengers for October on the three city routes and the shuttle service to the South Shore commuter rail line's Dune Park station shows "people really want to make this work." http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/08/news/porter_county/doca10fd4e15dc7877e8625738d000359fb.txt

MARQUETTE PLAN IN PORTER COUNTY TO BE UNVEILED THIS MONTH
Chesterton Tribune
Vicki Urbanik
11-07-07

Consultants working on the Marquette Plan in Porter County will try to come up with a proposal that strikes a balance between shoreline communities wishing to maintain their autonomy with the desire to promote more tourism, all while focusing on more open space and other conservation efforts. In addition to developing a broad land use plan for the northern Porter County and LaPorte county communities, the project also includes a transportation study for U.S. 12 and U.S. 20. Many of the participants at the meetings that have been held have called for aesthetic improvements along the two highways to better reflect this area. http://www.chestertontribune.com/PorterCounty/1176%20marquette_plan_in_porter_county.htm

FBI AGENT CHALLENGED BY I-69 OPPONENTS
Bloomington Herald-Times
Dann Denny
11-08-07

In delivering his talk in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs atrium Tuesday night, FBI special agent Robert Springer opened the I-69 door when he referred to the possibility that people might commit acts of terrorism based on their strong objection to the project. "We recognize there is potential for conflict regarding I-69," he said. "The number of people opposed to the construction of the highway breeds the possibility of eco-terrorist acts. My job is to investigate any such acts that occur." To be sure, three years ago 24 people were arrested after police discovered spray-painted graffiti on the Statehouse - messages that authorities said were part of a protest against I-69.
For more information, please contact Triad: 1-800-288-7423.