Wow. Recently I wrote about the potential roadblock coming to New Palestine.
I enjoy this forum the Daily Reporter affords to me. I have never had such feedback from any previous column. The feedback ran from “who cares” to “I had no idea that this was going to happen.” One of my friends even accused me of spreading “fake news.”
Writing the column renewed my faith amid a somewhat complacent world.
I would like to publicly thank the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), Sen. Mike Crider, Speaker Brian Bosma, Rep. Bob Cherry, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office and New Palestine Town Manager Dave Book for their contributions in getting answers to our questions.
I posed the economic question because several concerned business leaders in New Palestine approached me about their plight.
Here is a critical update. Dave Book recently met with INDOT. He suggested alternatives. I suggested perhaps only closing one lane at a time. The problem is that according to INDOT specifications the bridge (culvert) is four feet too narrow to accommodate this.
So what will happen to the proposed project? In either late summer or fall, INDOT will hold an informational meeting to show its plans to us the voting public. I have dealt with engineers, bureaucrats and others in the past. At times all parties, including me, can seem set in our ways. However, minds can be changed.
The timeline for the project is as follows: The state of Indiana will let bids in January 2019. Construction will begin in either July or August 2019. The intersection may be closed for three and a half to eight months — not the news we were hoping for.
What do we do? Continue to call, write, email or personally see the above-mentioned government officials. I do appreciate Dave Book for his efforts and meeting with INDOT.
Second, watch the newspaper and social media and other media to find out where and when the meeting will be. Write down your ideas beforehand, and attend with an open mind.
I have attended many INDOT meetings. INDOT staff are human. They respond to concise, succinct ideas. They do not respond to mob rule.
The purpose for the previous column and this follow-up remains the same. We do not want to see New Palestine suffer adverse economic hardship. After further talking to the affected businesses, most agree.
Interestingly, there has been talk from a few people across the state on similar situations. Some have proposed that the state should reimburse merchants for their economic loss. I do not subscribe to this idea. A merchant should know that going into any business venture, one will have adversity that could come in the form of fire, natural disaster or a road closing.
I particularly found humor in a former business owner accusing me of “fake news.” I will assure you that not only do I do due diligence for what I write, I do present the facts available to me at the time the column is written.
The bottom line? We will need to live with the intersection of County Road 600W (Mt. Comfort Road) and U.S. 52 being closed for an extended period.
I still think that a temporary bypass is doable. The state should either go south of U.S. 52 and build a decent temporary bypass, or it could go north around the existing Fifth Third Bank. This would alleviate economic hardship on local merchants.
As I pointed out in my previous column, it is doable. Buck Creek Township Melvin Branson and Greenfield Mayor Chuck Fewell were each able to accomplish it.
I welcome your input. I am sure all the major stakeholders want to see this worked out before the bids are let in January.
C.O. Montgomery of New Palestine is a former teacher, Sugar Creek Township trustee and co-director of the Hancock County Character Council. Send comments to [email protected].
