The city of Columbus will have a new $30 million overpass to take traffic over the Louisville and Indiana railroad tracks at State Road 11 and Jonathan Moore Pike. That’s according to an announcement Wednesday with Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Cummins office building at Fifth and Jackson Streets.
The governor says the overpass is needed, considering the damage that impeded vehicle traffic could inflicted on the local economy…
Officials say the overpass is a necessary solution as CSX moves forward with its plans to make approximately $100 million in upgrades to L&I’s Louisville to Indianapolis rail line. These improvements will be completed in mid-to-late 2018, after which CSX expects to begin increasing the number, size, weight and length of trains.
The governor adds that the project illustrates the state’s commitment to improving infrastructure…
Incoming and outgoing traffic into downtown Columbus would be routed along the overpass, which will include a figure 8 design that loops traffic onto State Road 11.
Columbus officials say that additional train traffic is expected to produce significant delays along this rail line. The concern is especially acute for the local rail crossing at the intersection of Jonathan Moore Pike and State Road 11, which carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day.
Mayor Jim Lienhoop says that these projects are an example of “The Columbus Way.” He notes that public/private partnerships like these “improve our economy and our quality of life.” The Mayor added, “We are very pleased to see the results that come from working together. The willingness of Indiana’s leadership to listen, recognize and respond to our city’s transportation challenge is heartening. The commitment that Cummins has shown, and continues to show, to Columbus has never been better displayed.”
“We are grateful to all the parties who came together to reach a solution for the long-term success and sustainability of downtown Columbus businesses and residents,” said Rich Freeland, President and COO, Cummins Inc. “A rail solution was critical to our future.”
