FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Hershman Announces Major Moves Projects in Distrcit 7
STATEHOUSE—Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) today announced the final list of Major Moves highway projects for Senate District 7, which includes Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, White and Tippecanoe counties. The fully funded program includes the long-awaited Hoosier Heartland Corridor, to be completed in 2014.
“ Indiana has been talking about a Hoosier Heartland Corridor for decades,” said Hershman, who co-authored House Enrolled Act 1008, the Major Moves plan. “Only by passing Major Moves could we actually make this a reality. This is great news for northern Indiana .”
In March, Hershman and other members of the Indiana General Assembly approved Major Moves legislation that doubled the amount of new highway construction projects in the state over the next 10 years without raising taxes. Major Moves erases a $3 billion highway funding problem that many states are facing.
The money generated from the lease of the Indiana Toll Road will fund improvements to State Road 26, Interstate 65, U.S. 31 and many more projects. The Hoosier Heartland Corridor is expected to start in 2010 in Lafayette and reach Logansport by 2014.
Counties that Hershman represents will also receive about $9.5 million for local transportation projects over the next two years that are not covered in the 10-year INDOT plan. This money, distributed according to the same formula used to distribute fuel tax revenues goes to District 7 as follows:
- Carroll County $1,035,000
- Clinton County $1,307,700
- Howard County $1,846,900
- Jasper County $1,332,600
- Tippecanoe County $2,826,800
- White County $1,290,200
Additionally, the large sum of money generated by the toll road lease allows the state to start a Next Generation Trust Fund that will ensure road projects are funded for generations to come.
“Major Moves is the largest transportation program Indiana has ever seen,” Governor Mitch Daniels said. “Senator Hershman was a key player in making this program a reality.”
Indiana's location and infrastructure are making the state known as a logistics and distribution state. This leads to thousands of jobs, such as the recent expansion of the Toyota plant in Lafayette . Major Moves was essential in ensuring Indiana has a world-class infrastructure.
“This plan puts millions of dollars in assets into the ground, where they will be enjoyed for generations to come,” Senator Hershman said.
For a complete list of projects and timelines, visit http://www.in.gov/dot/div/projects/tenyear/ .
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