One could state that observing the construction of Indiana 641 through southeastern Vigo County is like watching paint dry. But that would not be accurate. Paint dries more quickly. Much more quickly.
Still, if you can muster enough patience to laugh off the excruciatingly long period of time it is taking to complete this major road project, you know the final product will be worth the wait.
The project is being done in phases for obvious financial reasons. The state simply does not have enough money available to build this multi-million-dollar, six-mile, four-lane link between U.S. 41 and I-70 all at once. So it’s being built in phases, with the first phase completed 15 months ago. Those who use the two-mile stretch of Indiana 641 from U.S. 41 to McDaniel Road — and there many people who do — know instinctively just how important this new highway will be when it reaches its ultimate destination. In addition to providing a valuable transportation link between Terre Haute’s south and east sides, it will re-route a portion of the heavy pass-through traffic from the congested commercial corridor that clogs U.S. 41 between Allendale Hill and I-70. What’s more, it will open up new local development potential along the route.
Indiana 641 is among the most important, if not the most important, highway construction project to be undertaken in Vigo County since I-70 was built in the late 1960s. Its long-term impact will pale in comparison to the interstate construction, but it will have a profound effect for decades to come.
The new highway is not necessarily a top priority for the state’s Department of Transportation. It’s obvious where the state’s priorities lie by the rapid manner with which the new-terrain Interstate 69 is plowing through southwestern Indiana from Evansville to Bloomington.
But local highway work is proceeding nonetheless. INDOT will conduct a public information meeting on the final two phases of Indiana 641 on Tuesday in the cafeteria at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. An open house will begin at 5 p.m., followed by INDOT’s presentation at 6 p.m.
The public will be updated on the status of the project and will have the chance to view maps, displays and gather more information on the next steps in the process. Phase III extends from where the highway currently stops to east of Riley Road, while Phase IV begins east of Riley Road to the I-70 interchange..
This is an important meeting at which lots of information will be shared. It will be worth watching.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Indiana 641 — slow but sure
INDOT preparing to update community on next phases
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EDITORIAL: Reviewing the landscape
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EDITORIAL: The politics of Primary 2012
In less than a week, voting Hoosiers get a chance to make a statement about the future of politics in their state and beyond. But whatever that statement turns out to be, the final punctuation marks won’t be added until November. It’s possible that nothing will be settled by the end of the night May 8.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
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EDITORIAL: Hoosier Republicans should stick with Richard Lugar
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EDITORIAL: Matt Branam: 1954-2012
The sudden death of 57-year-old Matt Branam on Friday morning continues to leave an air of sadness hanging over the community.
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EDITORIAL: A transplant from St. Ann’s
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EDITORIAL: Pragmatic approach to downtown development benefits community
Terre Haute has known for some time now that Indiana State University’s master plan includes creation of student residential centers off-campus in the nearby downtown area.
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TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: A salute to pride of ’55
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EDITORIAL: A match of Mitt and Mitch?
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EDITORIAL: Drilling for fairness
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
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EDITORIAL: Be fair, consistent, but keep smokefree ordinance on track
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EDITORIAL: No need to sing the blues
The words from Terre Haute Board of Works President Bob Murray on Monday afternoon were as sweet to the ear as a blues riff from an electric guitar: “The bottom line is, [Blues at the Crossroads] should be able to operate just as it has before. It will get worked out.”
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EDITORIAL: Traps abound in online world
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