Hoosier Heartland work moving forward
A public information meeting regarding HHIC progress will be held Sept. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Delphi high school.
Comet staff report

Indiana Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Karl Browning provided an update regarding work on the proposed Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor at a meeting Aug. 28 with Senator Tom Weatherwax, Representatives Rich McClain and Sheila Klinker, and mayors Michael Fincher and Lee Hoard.

Browning provided the following updates:

• Road design plans are 30 to 50-percent complete for all four segments;

• INDOT is coordinating with all utility companies whose facilities will be impacted;

• the process for attaining envirnomental and water permits is underway;

• an advisory committee is looking at hisotric and cultural areas along the corridor's path to ensure compliance with state and federal historic preservation laws;

• construction is scheduled to begin in 2010 and end in 2014; and

• public outreach activities are continuing, including newsletters, project updates and a new HHIC Web site (www.in.gov/dot/projects/ sr25study/.

Hoard said Lafayette, Delphi and Logansport are already experiencing growth because of the corridor.

INDOT will provide a more detailed progress report to the HHIC coalition during the group's 25th anniversary meeting Sept. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ramada Inn in Logansport.

A public information meeting will be held Sept. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Delphi Community High School.