Logansport-Lafayette section might be
finished by 2013, state senator says
by Kevin Lilly
Pharos-Tribune staff writer
State officials are expected to announce today that the Hoosier Heartland Corridor between Logansport and Lafayette will be completed in 2013, three years sooner than previously suggested.
Sen. Tom Weatherwax said this morning he had spoken to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who assured him that priorities on the project had changed and ground would be broken this year. Weatherwax said he convinced the governor to speak with Indiana Department of Transportation officials about revising the project's timeline.
"I let him know how important it was that we keep this momentum going," Weatherwax said in a telephone interview this morning.
He said the announcement, scheduled to be made at the Hoosier Heartland Corridor meeting today, would be a wonderful Valentine's Day gift to the area.
Local officials anticipate the $500-million highway project connecting Interstates 65 and 69 will bring increased commerce, tourism and safety to the region.
The Heartland is one of several highway projects in the works across the state as a result of funding from Major Moves.
"I'm very pleased because when you're up against these other mega-projects, you have to realize that they're going to take so much time on the staff, engineering and construction people," Weatherwax said. "You certainly could easily get pushed into the oblivion if this wasn't made a priority."
Weatherwax thanked the governor for recognizing the importance of the project to the local economy.
Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com
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