Details on 18th Street project not yet clear

Editorials

Discussion

November 12, 2009

Anonymous Pharos-Tribune Thu Nov 12, 2009, 09:33 AM EST

One important bit of information came out of this week’s public meeting on the proposed 18th Street corridor: It’s way too early to jump to conclusions.

At this point, officials really aren’t sure what sort of project they’ll be looking at.

The corridor takes in both 17th and 18th streets from Broadway south to the Hoosier Heartland. It also includes property about a half block to the east and west.

At the center of the plan would be an underpass or an overpass for the Norfolk & Southern crossing on 18th Street, but at this point, the consultants from American Structurepoint aren’t sure which they will propose.

An underpass, they say, would be less expensive, but it would require shutting down the train tracks during construction. There are also issues concerning soil type and drainage.

An overpass, meanwhile, would require a relatively tall bridge that would consume a bit more real estate.

What form the project might take will begin to come together in the coming months. Consultants plan to present their concept at a meeting in late January.

A steering committee will examine the alternatives and make a recommendation that will be presented in May.

In the meantime, consultants will carry out traffic studies and examine environmental issues, including the proposed project’s effect on Indiana brown bats and mollusks in the Wabash River.

At this point, it’s too early to say whether the plan will involve only 18th Street, or whether it will take in 17th Street as well. That is part of what will be addressed in the traffic study.

For now, consultants have no advice for neighborhood homeowners considering improvements to their homes. They won’t know until spring, they say, how many homes, if any, the project might take out.

City officials say they’ll do everything they can to minimize the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. They’ll also aim for the most economical project possible.

The goal is to have another entryway into the city from the Hoosier Heartland and the new campus of Ivy Tech Community College.

Frankly, it’s too early to say whether the project is even feasible. That is part of what consultants will be determining in coming months.

In the meantime, interested residents would do well to stay tuned.

Have a comment?

Those wishing to offer input on the project will soon be able to do so through the city Web site at cityoflogansport.org. Anyone with questions or comments can also call the mayor’s office at 574-753-2551.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Editorials

A positive step for public schools
Indiana is one of 10 states granted waivers last week from provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The waiver appears to be a step forward for schools across the state.

February 11, 2012
An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.

February 9, 2012
Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.

February 8, 2012
White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.

February 7, 2012
A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.

February 6, 2012
Should schools teach creationism?
The Indiana General Assembly is considering a measure that would allow public schools to teach creationism as long as they include instruction on other reliigious theories. Broadening the instruction to include other religions might address constitutional concerns, but the result might be a class the law’s supporters didn’t envision.

February 4, 2012
Giving every child a chance
Students from Columbia Middle School delivered a message of inclusion in a play last weekend. The message is one that can’t be repeated too often.

February 2, 2012
Testing lawmakers a good idea
A measure requiring drug testing for welfare recipients would also require drug testing for legislators. If lawmakers are going to impose such a requirement on welfare recipients, they should be willing to stand up to the same measure.

February 1, 2012
Peru delivers important message
The city of Peru collected $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed. An aggressive enforcement effort can help the city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

January 31, 2012
Jail GED program a great step
The issue
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has begun offering GED
classes for its prisoners.

Our view
The department, and society at large, will see a huge return on that
investment.

January 30, 2012
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

Discussion

Details on 18th Street project not yet clear

Indiana was among 10 states granted a waiver last week from requirements of the No Child Left Behind law. Do you believe that was a good move?

Site Map

Contact Us