Road funds discussed at Daviess County Commissioner meeting

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May 26, 2009

By Patricia Morrison, News Editor The Washington Times-Herald Tue May 26, 2009, 09:53 PM EDT

Six representatives from the state Department of Transportation Vincennes office were in Washington Tuesday to meet with Daviess County Commissioners.

Distressed Road Funds were a hot topic as Brian Malone with INDOT explained that some funds were available from $7 million set aside. The county would have to have an established plan for use of the DR funds.

If the county increases the wheel tax to the maximum amount it could also apply for an interest-free 10-year loan for up to $1 million, but the money would have to be dedicated to pay back the loan before it could be approved. The council is considering increasing the wheel-tax at its June meeting.

Paving on SR 57 from Business 50 north was discussed and Calvin Evans said it should start in June or July.

“That’s good news. It’s really needed,” Commissioner President Tony Wichman said.

Commissioner Michael Taylor expressed concern about CR 500N as it has a lot of semi traffic to Perdue Feed Mills. Evans said the county will be notified in plenty of time to warn farmers of the designated route. The project will probably take two construction seasons, according to INDOT officials. A patch of SR 58 to Bicknell that was not part of a recent paving project will also be completed.

Abby Mason said the bridge of Veale Creek on SR 257 project has been awarded and work should start in late June or early July. The bridge has had a load limit and semis have had to take other routes. Mason did say the crews couldn’t do the work if the water is still high.

Drainage problems on U.S. 50 in the area of CRs 1025E, 1100E and 1200E were discussed and the Paoli subdivision will be ditching along the highway to help prevent flooding. Problems with drainage on SR 57 in Washington were also discussed.

Traffic lights on SR 57 in Washington were discussed as well as those on Business 50. Washington Mayor Larry Haag was in attendance and asked that the synchronization of the lights be studied as traffic is backed up daily especially between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mason said INDOT would take a look at the timing of the lights.

Sidewalks to the Wal-Mart store on SR 57 and U.S. 50 Bypass were discussed.

“You see mothers pushing stroller to Wal-Mart on the highway,” County Attorney Jeff Hayes said. “That’s just dangerous.”

Mason asked that the city and county encourage people developing property from Washington to the Bypass on SR 57 leave room for sidewalks to be added. She said this project would have to be pieced together.

A study is also being done at SR 257 and Business 50 to put a pedestrian crossing light at the intersection.

Mason passed out diagrams showing how the gas tax is figured and distributed. Evans explained that the pool of money is shrinking and everybody wants a share.

“We need to start thinking about funding as the pot shrinks,” Evans said. “What will be the source of revenue when vehicles start getting 50 to 60 miles per gallon.”

Janelle Lemon said projects getting stimulus money will be announced July 1. To be ready to accept stimulus money, the commissioners approved a motion accepting stimulus funds and authorizing signatures without having to call a special meeting.

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