The ceremonial groundbreaking Many dignitaries and elected officials, such as Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Carroll County Commissioners, attended the gala groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase of the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor last Wednesday in Lafayette. Pictured in the ceremonial groundbreaking, from left to right, are Carroll County Chamber Assistant Julia Leahy, Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser, Carroll County Economic Development (EDC) Director Daryl Smith, EDC member Tom Hesler, Delphi City Council President Carolyn Pearson, State Senator Brandt Hershman, former county commissioner Clara Rider, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President and EDC Director Bret Hanaway, and former Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe When a significant construction event happens there is usually a ceremonial groundbreaking to initiate the project. It was no different in the case of the final phase of the Hoosier Heartland Highway Industrial Corridor between Lafayette and Logansport in the early afternoon Oct. 22 at an east-side Lafayette location. It was attended by many dignitaries and elected officials. Gold-plated shovels were used to commemorate the event.

However, real dirt work began just south of Delphi near the intersection of Division Line and Deer Meadows roads. According to Walsh Construction Company Field Supervisor Rusty Davis, the first work on the project began locally with dirt dug and piled behind two construction trailers on the building site.

Local dirt Construction for the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor recently began at the Carroll-Tippecanoe County line. A long pile of dirt, the first to be moved for the final phase of the project, was piled behind two construction trailers on the worksite. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe "We were the first ones to throw dirt for this project," Davis said Monday. "Hopefully, we will get some construction done on it this year. We are just moving in and getting settled right now."

Davis said two bridges will be built and one-half of the project will be in Carroll County.

"This is a significant day in the life of Delphi and Carroll County," HHIC Coalition member Mark Davis said at the Oct. 22 ceremony. "A lot of people didn't believe this day would ever come,"

"The first dirt moved is on the Carroll County-Tippecanoe County line." he added. "And I'm proud of Carroll County planners. They used projected highway information while pulling together their comprehensive land use development plan. That was good thinking on their part."

"This is wonderful. We owe a debt of gratitude to people who started this some 30 years ago," he concluded.

Local dignitaries also attended the Wednesday event to initiate the project which began construction just shy of the county line. Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser was presented a shovel for the city and Carroll County Commissioners President Loren Hylton for the county.

"You just know this is a monumental thing," Delphi City Council President Carolyn Pearson said.

"We just witnessed a historical event," former Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard said. "This highway will contribute to saving lives and will promote interstate commerce through Indiana."

"I still care about this project," he added. "It's something I really believe in."

"It's a good day for us," commissioner George Mears said. "We have to be smart enough to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves."