County officials to cut ribbon Wednesday morning near Beck’s Hybrids
Hamilton County officials will hold a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to mark the completion of improvements to 276th Street and the new connection of 281st Street near Atlanta. The year-long project connects U.S. 31 to State Road 19 via 276th Street by way of a new 1.9-mile stretch of road connecting 276th Street to 281st Street near Gwinn Road.
Davis
“This project will provide a safe and efficient thoroughfare across northern Hamilton County,” Hamilton County Highway Department Director Bradley Davis said. “It will also better accommodate the increase in traffic generated by the expansion at Beck’s Hybrids.”
Beck’s plans to open a new $60 million soybean processing facility next year that will double its processing capacity and result in 60 new jobs.
“The foresight of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Hamilton County officials to upgrade the roadways near our plant will allow us to continue to build here in our home state,” Beck’s CEO Sonny Beck said. “These road improvements will be key to easing congestion and improving safety for all northern Hamilton County residents.”
The new stretch of road features widened travel lanes and newly paved shoulders in each direction as well as a new single lane roundabout at the intersection of 276th Street and the new roadway to better accommodate semi-truck traffic and farm equipment.
The Indiana Department of Transportation provided approximately 80 percent of the $4.5 million cost for the 276th Street improvements. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) also allocated $4 million of federal funding for the connection. Beck’s Hybrids was also a significant financial partner in the project, in addition to donating the necessary land through their farm.
Heirbrandt
“We’d like to widen 281st Street all the way out to State Road 37 creating a cross-county corridor,” County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “Wider roads will better accommodate large farm equipment as well as shorten travel times for many of the neighboring residents.”
The Indiana Department of Transportation has plans to construct an interchange at 276th Street and U.S. 31 next year.
Lowes Way Phase 2 extension opens to motorists
Hamilton County residents are now able to access 146th Street via Rangeline Road. County officials held a ribbon cutting Tuesday to mark the opening of the second phase of the Lowes Way Extension project.
Completed three weeks ahead of schedule, the ribbon was cut Tuesday on Phase 2 of the Lowes Way extension project, which means drivers can now access 146th Street via Rangeline Road. (Photo provided)
“The completion of this project cumulates more than 20 years of infrastructure improvements to this corridor,” said Christine Altman, president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “These improvements greatly enhance the convenience and efficiencies for all motorists in the area.”
Construction on the $6.4 million project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization provided approximately $4 million of Federal Congestion and Air Quality Funding for the project. The balance was covered with local area TIF revenues.
The project also includes a new bridge over Cool Creek and the Hagan-Burke Trail as well as new pedestrian paths along the entire corridor.