The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/94635
H I-69 opens A-4 wouldn't be worth it. The time. The effort. The mon- ey. All the sweat," the gover- nor said, adding with a smile that the new interstate will cut travel times. According to a new study Continued from page A-1 from the Joint Transpor- tation Research Program at Purdue University, the 67-mile alignment provides a 38-minute reduction in one-way travel time be- tween Evansville and Na- val Support Activity (NSA) Crane compared to an alter- nate route. The new I-69 corridor is opening several years ahead of schedule and nearly $80 million under budget in con- struction costs alone, ac- cording to the Indiana De- partment of Transportation (INDOT). When total proj- ect costs are factored, the corridor is opening more than $300 million under es- timates. "Many people said this in- Monday morning's cere- mony, said it brought back memories. "I remember Da- vid Graham came to me and spent time with me explain- ing how important it was for the growth of Southwest In- diana. He was very instru- mental in pushing this." "I couldn't help but think the credit for having the vi- sion and determination to make it happen. I think Gov. Daniels has proved to us Major Moves was good for us and Indiana. While all the other states are struggling, we have had the biggest construction project in the country going on right out- side our door," said Harris. Harris, who attended Wednesday, November 21, 2012 The Press-Dispatch ribbon-cutting ceremony, Gov. Daniels got on his mo- torcycle and led a parade of officials north on the new interstate to press confer- ences near Washington and Crane. In 2006, the governor out- terstate expansion wouldn't happen in their lifetime, but it's here. In addition to open- ing the road ahead of sched- ule and under budget, we're opening greater economic opportunity, faster and saf- er travel and improved con- nectivity," Gov. Daniels said. After participating in a about all our friends over the years. (Former Mayor) Jack Kinman who would say, 'Gee, I will never get to drive on it, but you will.' I had a bittersweet moment think- ing about all our friends who worked to make this happen and are gone now," said Har- ris. tage of I-69. "Our goal is jobs and in- Now is time to take advan- dustry. I hope we take that and run with it. Selfishly, I hope it means more people are buying homes and mov- ing to Pike County," said Harris. Current Petersburg May- or Craig said it is now Pe- tersburg's and Pike Coun- ty's job to make themselves a destination on the road in- stead of a place people drive by. $200,000 a year for three years from that interest. As for what happens with lined his proposal, known as Major Moves, that includ- ed leasing the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years for the price of $3.8 billion. Funds generated from that plan al- lowed construction to begin on the new I-69 corridor that will ultimately stretch from Evansville to Indianapolis through Bloomington. At one time Daniels put the money in an interest-bear- ing account – interest to the tune of $250,000 a day. Pike County received would pass through eight states and provide a direct route through the Midwest between Canada and Mex- ico. "We have to give the gov- ernor credit for pursing it and making it happen," said former Petersburg Mayor Randy Harris. "He deserves the remaining part of the highway, between Bloom- ington and Indianapo- lis (running near Indiana 37), remains to be seen. There's been opposition in the Bloomington area. Gov. Daniels is leaving office and the funding to pay for the last stretch hasn't been hammered out. When complete, I-69 of planning we have done very, very well and some we still need to do better. Yes- terday, (while driving on I-69) I looked at our land- scape and some things we have to do to be competi- tive," said Craig "I have heard some skep- Craig said, "Some aspects Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels waves as he rides by on the inaugural trip up I-69 near Petersburg on Monday morning. The highway opened to the public at 5 p.m. one hour ahead of schedule. tics say, Petersburg and Pike County don't have a chance at development op- portunities of a Washing- ton or Princeton. But while I was driving north on I-69, I noticed the landscape is the same. I think we have a very level playing field when it comes time to taking ad- vantage of economic devel- opment opportunities." He added, I think we have done a good job of identify- ing what our assets are, and what we have to sell to the rest of the world." Mayor Craig said the and county's comprehen- sive plans that were recent- ly updated. Craig also cited county has assets in place to be competitive, like a great Growth Council website, the Chamber of Commerce had a video promoting the coun- ty and now a world-class transportation network, along with well-developed comprehensive plans for Pe- tersburg and Pike County. He also cited the city's Crews work to install a guard rail at the Petersburg exit from I-69 to Highway 61 on Saturday. Crews worked throughout the weekend to prepare for the official opening Monday. a study by the University of Southern Indiana through a partnership of Petersburg, Washington and Oakland City. It looked at I-16, which was built to connect Macon and Savannah, Georgia. It diverted travelers from two- lane roads going through cities and towns on their way to the coast and the ef- fect on them. "It showed the ones that optimist. If you combine that Petersburg has been identified as the median population of the country, our world-class transporta- tion network combined with one of the most competitive high school technology pro- grams in the country, we have a very good platform on which to build." Craig said the area still has several things to work on. "I think we have to work on making sure the inter- change area is fully served with infrastructure, wa- ter, wastewater, fiber optic, electricity and all the com- ponents necessary to make development occur. You see planned prospered, and the ones that haven't planned, declined," said Craig. "I guess I'm the eternal some great things. Peters- burg partnered with the county to put two extra cas- ings under the highway pri- or to it being built. Washing- ton put eight casings under e c l i E towns like Corydon, Scotts- burg and Plainfield, where they were aggressive to make sure infrastructure reached the interstate and then communities like Clo- verdale and Dale, that were slower to take advantage of that, but now are seeing growth. We really have to embrace that," said Craig. "Washington is doing has completed the annex- ation process out to the in- terstate. Petersburg has tak- en a hard look at that, and will continue to do that, but we were met with consider- able opposition to that. But it is something we have to take a look at it. We have to make sure we have zon- ing around the interchange area. We don't have to look far to see how badly a lack the highway. Washington and Daviess County have sewer out to the interstate. We don't," said Craig. He added, "Washington W y R P ETITE C OMFORT $ 449 P OWER Ruben Rocks and Reclines with Power S OFT C OMFORT $ o f G 499 P OWER Raleigh Rocker Recliner & R OCKING P OWER L OVESEAT P OWER R ECLINING S OFA Cadence Pillow Arms & Chaise Seats add to the comfort. Willow Tree Nativity Scene Stable Addition The Holy Family Miniature Nativity Scene Sheltering Animals Set Bargain Tables 50% TO 75% OFF select holiday gifts and everyday items. Christmas Gift Wrap & Accessories • Assorted Snowmen & Santas • Jim Shore • Willow Tree • Libs Candy Marge's BUY 2 GET 1 FREE AND NEW ARRIVALS • Ty Plush Christmas Items • Colonial Candles jars, tapers, votives, air fresheners • Christmas Jewelry • Scarves • Many More New Items Shop 716 Main St. Petersburg, 354-9372 Regular Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-5; Fri. 9-6; Sat. 9-6 Boxed Christmas Cards Reclining Loveseat $ 995 949 Sofa $ F R E A R ON THE SQUARE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN JASPER 601 MAIN STREET FURNITURE SHOWROOMS • 482-1477 Presley $ 2,495 % * I N T TUES. E 8 AM-5:30 PM MON. HOURS: WED. THURS. Closed FRI. SAT. 8 AM-5:30 PM 8 AM-7 PM 8 AM-7 PM 8 AM-3 PM of zoning around the inter- state can turn out. The fias- co around Dale is the best example of that. I have confidence in our landowners out there. They wouldn't sell to a question- able business. They didn't in Dale, but they sold to a company that developed a truck stop and hotel. When they went out of business, they sold to a business of ill repute. Zoning has a lot of opponents, but it's the best way to locally control land use," said Craig. a S B B IG M AN ' S C HAIR $ 549 P OWER R ECLINE Griffin Padded with Comfort from Every Angle Rocks and Reclines W ELCOME H OME TO C OMFORT WITH THE P RESLEY S ECTIONAL w/cup holders & lights, 2 Recliners, 2 Consoles Chair & Wedge Power Chaise, 1 Armless R R E C L I N I N O n i n g a t t h e T o u c h o j A u t THANKSGIVING AFTER Free Gift Wrapping with Purchase SPECIALS Y E R E F I N A N C I N G – 0 * W i t h A p p r o v e d C r e d i t E n New! New! S P E n t L o 1 E ! T