Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor, Inc.

WLFI CH 18
Published : Friday, 07 Oct 2011, 6:39 PM EDT
Alex Deiro

PERU, Ind. (WLFI) - Those gathered at the annual Hoosier Heartland luncheon heard some positive news Friday. The project is on schedule and the surrounding communities should soon start to see the benefits of the road project.

For Hoosier Heartland president Tom Weatherwax, the Highway project is one he's worked on for close to 30 years. And with an end date in sight, he said the benefits of the Highway will soon be revealed.

"We're excited because this last segment is only four and a half miles. But it's the last length to make this total highway a reality. And of course, for us, in this part of the state, it's the economic development that we're so excited about," said Weatherwax.

Congressman Todd Rokita agrees the economic benefits of the highway will be an integral part of the success of the state. "It's hard to be the crossroads of America unless you have a healthy road, rail and air infrastructure to make sure that commerce can hum along," said Rokita.

One community set to reap the benefits from the completed project is the City of Logansport in Cass County. Logansport mayor Mike Fincher said while there hasn't yet been a deep economic impact on the city, many companies are taking notice of the effects the Heartland may have. "I don't know that we've had a boom in economy, but we've had more looks. We've had people more excited, we've had people build out along the Heartland Highway," said Fincher.

The entire Hoosier Heartland project is set to be completed by the end of 2013. But the first leg to open up will be from Delphi to Lafayette, and that project should be open by the end of 2012. "It's been a big part of my professional life. And I am looking forward to seeing it get all the way out there for everybody to see it done. And to be able to utilize the highway for it's intended purpose for safety and economics," said INDOT Project Manager Jim Earl.

Earl also believes the highway will also provide a safer route along some of the more dangerous stretches of State Road 25. He said there are still some hurdles to clear before the project can be opened for traffic. "We still have quite a bit of land to buy in Carroll County, and in to some areas of Logansport as well. We're as a matter of fact looking at where we are with all the projects so that we can try to set them up in the most efficient way possible," said Earl. Earl said he doesn't foresee any major snags coming up in obtaining the remaining land.