IN DOT abandons long-range transportation planning

[Stephane Dumas]

I spotted this article from http://www.urbanophile.com/2011/12/19/indiana-abandons-long-range-transportation-planning/

The Indiana Department of Transportation has released a draft of its 2035 long range transportation plan. The previous iteration, which seems to no longer be available online, was a pretty good plan I thought. One of the first things Mitch Daniels did when coming into office was to blow the whistle on how INDOT had basically been lying about its plans. It had promised basically everything to everybody even though there was no prospect of paying for it. He decided to face the issue of underfunding head on, the result of which was the Toll Road lease and the Major Moves highway construction plan.

As part of this, INDOT produced a new long range plan that had a much more realistic list of projects than in the past. It was probably still too much to get done. But not ridiculously so.

Well, as Major Moves has progressed and it has become clear that the state doesn't have the money to complete all the projects as originally conceived, INDOT seems to be backsliding into its old ways. I noted the sneaky way they kicked perhaps the state's most critical corridor upgrade out of the Major Moves program without telling anyone. Now as I've reviewed their new LRP draft, it's clear long range planning is reverting to form. Here is what INDOT says about their plan:

[JREwing78]

Anyone surprised by this? I'm not. I suspected this would be the endgame when the entire plan relied on the toll road lease, and there was no plans to raise gas taxes or registration fees.

I am a little surprised it happened this soon though.

[3467]

I am too but Mitch Danniels doesnt have to pump his reume for president and CNBC gushed over him on their infrastructure special sowhy not drop it. I did print it out .
In fairness Illinois dropped long range planning after the Supplemental freeway system went bye bye. Though if you go to the projects page of IDOT you will find.....the supplemental freeway system in another form. Idot just doesnt call it a commitment anymore
From Illinois I suspect that means US 50 will be fourlaned only on the 20 miles under study.
But what does it mean for the Illinana?

[Brandon]

I am too but Mitch Danniels doesnt have to pump his reume for president and CNBC gushed over him on their infrastructure special sowhy not drop it. I did print it out .
In fairness Illinois dropped long range planning after the Supplemental freeway system went bye bye. Though if you go to the projects page of IDOT you will find.....the supplemental freeway system in another form. Idot just doesnt call it a commitment anymore
From Illinois I suspect that means US 50 will be fourlaned only on the 20 miles under study.
But what does it mean for the Illinana?

I suspect the Illiana will be turned over to ISTHA.

[ShawnP]

Noticed alot of this in southern Indiana area. Projects appear and then disappear with no reasoning why. I can accept no money but don't bs folks and just make projects disappear. Here's some I saw go away. IN-62 repave from Harrison County line to I-64...in poor shape especially thru downtown Georgetown. Old Vincennes repave..........in poor shape especially by Floyd Central High (one side is so poor most folks drive to the opposite side).