Posted on 10/11/2016 12:50:47 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The state of Indiana needs to do a better job of looking out for the interests of Hoosiers, especially Monroe County Hoosiers, when it comes to construction of Interstate 69.
Section 5 of the project, the part that starts just south of Bloomington and goes north to Martinsville, has run into problems.
Not for the first time.
Again, the private development company the state picked to build the highway has fallen behind on payments for work that’s been done. So major contractor Crider & Crider of Bloomington has stopped working, again, until it gets paid.
State officials aren’t saying so, but this could further delay completion of the 21-mile project, which already has been pushed back once by more than six months. Any further delays would mean further headaches and safety issues for motorists and their passengers.
Recent accidents in the construction zone have shined a bright light on the safety issues. One was a chain reaction crash Sept. 2 that occurred when a tractor-semitrailer rig plowed into slowing and stopped traffic in the construction zone. Eight people were injured; fortunately, no one was killed.
This public-private partnership to build Section 5 is an unusual and complicated partnering of multiple and changing players. The Indiana Finance Authority, an arm of state government, picked the private company to design and build this part of the road, then maintain it for 35 years. The selection was approved in early 2014 by the state budget committee and Gov. Mike Pence.
Companies tied to the consortium I-69 Development Partners include Isolux Infrastructure Netherlands B.V., which appears to be out of the picture, and Isolux Corsan USA, which has an office in Austin, Texas. Canadian company PSP Investments and a newly formed Canadian company, ROADIS, are now involved.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailyjournal.net ...
One of the worst driving experiences ever, was last January in southern Indiana on the new I-69 north of Evansville.
Turns out that the State accepted the road salt restrictions from the EPA to preserve wetlands, limestone caverns, underground streams, and eagles.
But at the risk to car drivers and passengers (aka humans).
There are signs “Low Salt No Spray” posted. As soon as we encounter these areas, the ice/packed snow on the road became very dangerous. It sure felt like Low Salt meant No Salt.
Had I know that this restriction existed, in the hilliest area of Indiana, we would surely have used I65.
The Politicians want the “NAFTA Superhighway” so bad that they seem to be willing to risk people's lives to be able to have it.
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/inba/bos/06_IN_I69revisedBO.doc
They use way too much salt in the upper midwest, vlobbering roads with almost no snow. I’ ve had to drive to the south to get my cars, and then they rust out. Now I’m in GA and I do not miss ruinius salt. Solution for nortb? Studded tires!
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