|
Warricknews - Community
If you would like to search one of the papers individually, please visit our "Advanced Search" page.
State breaks ground on phase two of road project
Posted: Monday, Jun 02, 2008 - 09:34:12 am EDT
By Timothy W. Young - Warrick Publishing Online
 | | Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman was on hand to turn the first few shovels of dirt on phase two of the S.R. 66 expansion project Tuesday afternoon. The entire $39.5 million project will widen the roadway from Vanderburgh County to Spencer County. Photo by Timothy W. Young |
|
State and local officials, along with representatives with the Indiana Department of Transportation, took place in a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 27 to officially kickoff the improvements to S.R. 66, between S.R. 261 and Old State Road 662 (French Island Trail).
The project is part of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Major Moves initiative.
This part of the project — which is a projected $19.2 million investment — will add travel lanes, making the road more accessible for motorists.
The groundbreaking signified the start of phase two of the $39.5 million project.
“It’s a great project for the area,” said Sam Sarvis, INDOT deputy commissioner for the Vincennes district.
INDOT Public Information Director Cher Goodwin said the state has allocated more than $200 billion in road projects through Major Moves.
Blankenburger Brothers of Cynthiana submitted the winning bid for the 3.1-mile project.
Warrick County Commissioner Don Williams said the needed infrastructure that has come with Major Moves continues to improve economic development in the area.
“We feel blessed and excited,” said Warrick County Commissioner Nova Conner. “This area definitely needs the improvements.”
Along with the extra lanes, there are planned signal modernizations at Casey Road and Sharon Road, which both currently have stoplights. New flasher signals will be installed at Lincoln Avenue and Old State Road 662.
This portion of the project is part of a 10.8 mile stretch of road that will create a four-lane highway from Vanderburgh County to Spencer County.
“This region has seen extraordinary growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman.
She said that Warrick County has seen strides in residential and commercial growth, and now its roads will see that same growth. Expanded corridors will only foster more growth, she said.
“Because, and only because of the Major Moves transaction, our wait for a bigger, better S.R. 66 is over,” said Skillman in a recent press release. “And because we have the dollars to build it now, it will cost less than was expected, and we’ll invest those savings in more roads and more jobs.”
When all is said and done, Major Moves will have invested $118 million into Warrick County’s infrastructure.
“Roads and highways are critical to the state’s economic plans,” Skillman said.
She added that businesses are investing in Indiana because of this initiative.
The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2009.
The S.R. 66 project will eventually widen the highway from Evansville to Hatfield. The first stage was completed two years ago, and the final — and most expensive — stage is scheduled to begin in 2009.
——-
Boonville Standard Editor Nathan Blackford contributed to this story.
|
|
 |
Advertisers
Search Site
Enter a keyword:
Tri-State Media Weather
|
|
