From: Robert Monroe
Columbus
According to the five-year Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) plan, one proposed project would widen Lowell Road to two lanes in each direction from County Road 325W, just west of the bridge over the Driftwood River, to Indianapolis Road. In addition to adding lanes, the bridge over the Driftwood River would be replaced. The cost: $2.87 million, including widening of the road.
If widening of the bridge over the Driftwood River is done, then the bridge over Interstate 65 would need to be replaced, since it is the same width as the one over the Driftwood River. Estimated cost: $4 million (not addressed in the report).
Here’s a 30-day option: Construct an exit from I-65 to Lowell Road, eliminating the waste of our tax dollars. This project could be done in less than 30 days and save millions. The property needed for this project is currently for sale. The travel time from State Road 46 on County Road 325W to the I-65 overpass: 5.3 minutes. The travel time from State Road 46 to the I-65 overpass on Lowell Road: 2.44 minutes.
My least favorite quote: “It will go to someone else if we don’t use it.” My description of an engineer is: Someone who can take a simple solution and make it very difficult.
