The Indiana Department of Transportation is planning to invest $96.9 million into Bartholomew County transportation projects over the next four years.
But before any projects receive final approval, INDOT wants to know whether the state’s priorities fit with community residents’ preferences.
“Basically, we’re asking for general feedback on how tax dollars should be spent,” said INDOT spokesman Scott Manning.
Local residents may give that feedback from 5 to 7 p.m. May 15 at Columbus East High School, 230 S. Marr Road, Manning said.
Assisted by the Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, state transportation officials have updated priorities on 36 separate projects in Bartholomew County that, if all are adopted, would require local matching funds of $16.9 million, according to the state.
All 36 projects will either require federal funds or state money, according to INDOT.
But since the list is updated and priorities are changed every two years, no project on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program(STIP) has been given final approval.
Instead of a formal presentation at the May 15 session, the event is designed for anyone to visit within a two-hour window. Once a resident states a concern, they will be guided to a station to talk with someone well-versed in the subject matter of that project, Manning said.
Those who attend will have the choice of expressing their concerns in person or by submitting it in writing.
A railroad overpass near the junction of State Road 11 and State Road 46 is currently in the development stage, so technically, it’s not considered part of the STIP improvement program that covers projects set for 2020 to 2023, Manning said.
But due to widespread public interest in that project, INDOT staff will be available to answer overpass-related questions, Manning said.
One major project among the 36 involves the addition of a third travel lane on both sides of Interstate 65 from State Road 46 in Columbus south to State Road 58 at the Walesboro-Ogilville exit.
INDOT is currently involved in adding extra lanes from State Road 58 south to the U.S. 50 interchange in Seymour.
The proposed addition of the third lane from State Road 46 to the Woodside Industrial Park area is tentatively scheduled for 2021.
Here are some highlights from the recently-revised four-year STIP plan:
2020
The first phase of planned upgrades to Taylor Road, from 25th Street to 31st Street in Columbus, begins. The second phase — from 31st Street to Rocky Ford Road — is scheduled for the following year.
Other projects include extensive improvements to Mapleton Street, west of State Street, as well as to County Road 350W, from State Road 46 to Goeller Boulevard.
The plan also calls for safety improvements at railroad crossings that include County Road 800N near Taylorsville; on Spears Street, south of Columbus; along County Road 550 North; two crossings along Industrial Road; a crossing on County Road 650N, and a crossing along Jackson Street in Jonesville.
2021
Motorists can anticipate road construction along I-65 from the Driftwood River Bridge to the U.S. 31 interchange. INDOT officials would like to make significant improvements along U.S. 31, from Tannehill Road to I-65.
Columbus is expected to receive $792,409 during 2021 from a federal matching grant program to improve transit operations.
2022
Efforts are expected to begin to improve Lowell Road, as well as County Road 325W, into a major north-south bypass. The first phase calls for reconstruction of Lowell Road, from County Road 325W to the Columbus city limits.
Two significant bridge replacements may take place that same year. One will be on State Road 58, about three miles west of I-65 over the East Fork of the White River. The other will be along I-65 near Taylorsville.
2023
The second phase of improvements on Lowell Road, including additional lanes, is tentatively scheduled between I-65 and Indianapolis Road.
Improvements that include widening are expected to begin along Talley Road, between 25th Street and Rocky Ford Road.
Other items listed include more overpass renovations over I-65, People Trails expansions and improvements, and numerous traffic signal modifications.
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The Indiana Department of Transportation will host an open house next month to allow residents to ask questions and raise concerns about updates to their Statewide Transportation Improvement (STIP) program.
When: 5 to 7 p.m. May 15
Where: Columbus East High School, 230 S. Marr Road
For more information: in.gov/indot/2348.htm
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