Infrastructure News Summary
For November 20, 2007

COUNTY REVISITS ROAD PLAN
Evansville Courier & Press
John Martin
11-20-07

Vanderburgh County officials are exploring ways to keep North Green River Road open during a construction project expected to last two years. The heavily traveled road, which leads to several newer subdivisions in the northeastern section of the county, is to be raised and widened. County Commissioners will discuss the project during its meeting today at 3:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. County Commissioners President Bill Nix and County Attorney Ted Ziemer Jr. said Monday they believe funding will be available to maintain restricted traffic on North Green River once the project starts in mid-2008. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/nov/20/countyrevisitsroad-plan/

NWI LEGISLATORS MUST MAKE COMMUTER RAIL A TOP PRIORITY
NWI Times
11-20-07

Editorial. "As the Indiana General Assembly meets today to get ready for the 2008 session, the area's legislative delegation is expected to discuss options for funding the South Shore extension to Lowell and Valparaiso. It is a difficult political environment for proposing a new tax that would raise $30 million a year in Lake and Porter counties. The property tax crisis must be resolved. At the same time, however, getting the South Shore extension rolling is urgent. Among the many benefits, the South Shore project will provide highway congestion relief and will more fully connect Northwest Indiana residents to high-paying jobs in downtown Chicago. … Providing the funding for this project must be one of the top priorities for Northwest Indiana's legislative delegation this year. The South Shore project needs to go forward before the federal funds for new rail lines shrink and the local cost becomes even higher." http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/20/opinion/times_editorials/doc8187904a842cd7f086257398007da90a.txt

ILLINOIS AGENCY LOOKING AT ILLIANA EXPRESSWAY
NWI Times
11-17-07

An expressway to Indiana may be the next challenge for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.
Earlier this week, Tollway Board member Jim Roolf floated an idea to launch an exploratory committee to consider an Illiana Expressway. Roolf wants to act now after the Authority's recent success opening the Interstate 355 south extension between Bolingbrook and New Lenox. If formed the committee would work with the Indiana and Illinois departments of transportation to research ways to build the proposed expressway connecting Interstate 65 near Crown Point and Interstate 57 near Crete. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/17/news/illiana/doc2a71b6217affd82f8625739600071c55.txt

OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR INCREASED TRAIN TRAFFIC
NWI Times
11-17-07

Merrillville - The threat of increased train traffic through Merrillville has some town officials concerned. Canadian National Railway Co. plans to purchase EJ&E railroad, and communities including Dyer, Schererville, Griffith, Gary and Lynwood could experience increased train traffic because of the purchase. Town Councilman Richard Hardaway said although it is not certain yet, Merrillville might be affected as well. Hardaway said CN already owns the tracks that cross Broadway. The town also has other crossings on Taft Street, Hendricks Street and Madison Street. Hardaway said the town isn't thrilled about increased train traffic, and Merrillville's railroad crossings would need repairs before any additional trains come through. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/17/news/lake_county/doc7154f891f6c48574862573960011a2c9.txt

RAINY DAY FUND COULD BE USED FOR CANAL ROAD
Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Howard Greninger
11-20-07

Vigo County Council members next week will vote on a proposal that will drain a rainy day fund to allow the county to more quickly pay off construction costs for the Canal Road project. In addition, more than $4 million would be tapped for Canal Road from a bond issued to pay for road improvements to benefit Pfizer's production of Exubera, an inhaled insulin. Pfizer announced in October it would cease any more investment in Exubera. http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_324000220.html