Infrastructure News Summary
For November 26, 2007

ACTION NEEDED TO FIX INDIAN BOUNDARY TRAFFIC BOTTLENECK
Chesterton Tribune
Paula McHugh
11-23-07

Chesterton's population is expanding, and it appears that more travelers are stopping for gas or food from the Interstate. The stoplight at Indian Oak poses a big problem for drivers who are trying to make the left turn to return to the Interstate, and a big problem for local drivers who wish to cross Indiana 49 to the east side. Drivers fill up the left turn lane and spill over into the through lane, blocking cars who want to cross Indiana 49. Drivers coming north from Indian Oak or south from Burger King turn east onto Indian Boundary and block the east-west traffic. The town needs to address this problem before things get much worse. http://www.chestertontribune.com/Voice%20of%20the%20People/11232%20action_needed_to_fix_indian_boun.htm

I-69 REPAVING WORK COMES TO END
Indianapolis Star
Meagan Ingerson
11-26-07

Work on the latest phase of I-69 improvements has ended, INDOT announced today. The $8.4 million project, which started in May, included patching and repaving of about 30 miles of highway, from 116th Street in Fishers to the State Road 32/67 exit in Daleville. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/LOCAL01/711260402

BRIDGES DECLINE, REPAIR COSTS RISE
Indianapolis Star
Jodi Coblentz
11-25-07

Indiana is ranked 35th in the country in its rate of structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges. There are almost 19,000 bridges in the state's inventory system. Of those, the majority of deficient and obsolete bridges -- about 95 percent -- are on county roadways. Federal law requires all structures 20 feet in length or more be inspected every two years. From these inspections counties can determine their needs and plan for repair, replacement or major rehabilitation. Inspections also determine when bridges need to be closed, posted for load limits or require minor maintenance. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/OPINION03/711250304/1002/OPINION

ARE OUR BRIDGES
Indianapolis Star
11-25-07

Of the nearly 19,000 bridges in the state's inventory, almost one in four is rated either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. That's bad news for the state's 92 counties, which maintain 95 percent of the bridges. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/OPINION03/711250306/1002/OPINION

RAILROAD EXITS TRANSIT CENTER
Post-Tribune
Erik Potter and Christin Nance Lazerus
11-21-07
After months of speculation that a large transit facility combining truck and rail was coming to LaPorte County, CSX, the major company rumored to be a part of the project, has said it is no longer interested. The railroad has plans to build an intermodal in North Baltimore, Ohio, and is not interested in a second LaPorte County location. Groups opposed to the controversial development, fearing it would bring unwelcome development and increased pollution, are taking the news in stride. http://www.post-trib.com/business/660546,intermodal.article

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS ON EASTERN BOULEVARD
The News and Tribune
David Mann
11-24-07

While planning for the revamped road is already under way on Eastern Boulevard, some people are pondering what will become of the business climate there. The road has some vacant buildings and busted properties, said Rick Dickman, Clarksville's redevelopment director. Others spots have become a revolving door for businesses, where new businesses fail as quickly as they come in. The goal is to make the street pedestrian-friendly and bring in small, mom-and-pop style retail profile similar to that of Bardstown Road in Louisville. http://www.news-tribune.net/local/local_story_328012053.html

CHANDLER ANNEXATION
Warrick Publishing
Wendy Wary

Residents along Heim Road near Chandler could be the first to be annexed into the town in the near future, despite recommendations by an engineering firm to first consider areas south of the town. A discussion at Monday night's Chandler Town Council meeting concluded with the council asking the town's attorney to look into possible annexation of properties along Heim Road from Chandler's western border to Tow Path Road. The board decided to look at the area for annexation after Graybill Properties put in its request to have one of its properties included in the town's limits. Graybill's property is located on the north side of Heim Road, just a few buildings west of the intersection at Heim and Inderrieden Road. http://www.tristate-media.com/articles/2007/11/26/warricknews/news/02chandler.txt