Hoosier drivers hope governor’s pledge fixes roads, bridges

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On Tuesday, Indiana leaders pledged $1 billion to fix roads and bridges.

That is money that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) officials said will provide support for projects already in the works, but can’t say that it will create new projects.

One of those projects is a bridge on Interstate 70 that runs on the south side of Indianapolis, where parts are crumbling and interior rods are exposed.

It’s images like this that has some Hoosiers calling for improvements.

“I’m very interested in the infrastructure of the bridges around here,” Indianapolis resident Iris Taflan said. “I feel like the roads are great.”

“You worry about harm to your car, as well as a cause to an accident,” Indianapolis resident Warren Porter said.

“I think some roads are hit harder than others,” Indianapolis resident Taylor Wong said. “Usually when you see one road that has a little bit of damage on it, then usually it has a good amount.”

There’s another highway bridge INDOT officials are ready to work on. It’s on Interstate 65 and runs over Keystone Avenue.

It also has cracks and exposed rods.

One national research group says 22 percent of Indiana’s bridges are structurally deficient and 14 percent of the major roadways are in poor condition.

“I think that’s about right,” Porter said. “I think that yes, that’s a big problem right there.”

“I’d say that sounds about right,” Wong said. “I’d say it’s definitely something that I wish was nicer.”

That could change within the next four years, as the $1 billion is spent with many Hoosiers hopeful that the spending will make a big difference.

“I think my car would appreciate it as well my checkbook when I pop another new tire,” Wong said.

Both of those bridge projects will start soon, since INDOT plans to bid contracts to rehabilitate and replace both bridges next year.