Tuesday Sep 04, 2018 2:48pm

By: Sheila McCrea

MARTINSVILLE – Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced Monday his infrastructure agenda plan for 2019, including a new $1 billion investment in infrastructure projects. The Next Level Connections program will expand broadband services in rural Indiana, grow the state’s systems of trails, create more nonstop international flights, and move up the completion of major highway projects. The state also will continue to pursue building a new fourth water port at Lawrenceburg and expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.

“Today we’re sending a big message to the world that Indiana is making a huge investment in our quality of life and for those who aspire to join us,” said Holcomb. “We are linking Hoosiers to each other and to the world.”

Through the Next Level Connections program, Governor Holcomb has committed $100 million to bridge the digital divide in rural areas of the state. The state will create a grant program to bring high speed, affordable broadband access to unserved and underserved areas of the state.

In addition, the Governor mapped out his plan to utilize $90 million to link communities through more hiking, biking and riding trails. The state will initiate a grant program that encourages local and regional collaboration to grow the state’s trails system.

On Monday, the Governor also shared plans to accelerate completion of I-69 Section 6 from 2027 to 2024 ($600 million). He also tlaked about adding new interchanges on U.S. 31 between South Bend and Indianapolis and expand the number of projects that will be completed on U.S. 20 and 30 through 2023 ($190 million).

In regards to transportation options, Governor Holcomb plans to establish Indianapolis as the preferred Midwestern destination by adding more nonstop international flights ($20 million). He also plans to pursue federal funding for the West Lake and South Shore rail projects in Northwest Indiana

The Indiana Finance Authority will amend its agreement with the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC), which operates the Indiana Toll Road, to allow ITRCC to increase the toll rates for heavy vehicles by 35 percent, beginning in October. The $1 billion in proceeds from the amended ITRCC agreement will be used to fund planned road projects in the seven Toll Road counties, which will free up INDOT resources to be directed to the Next Level Connections program.

As a part of the new agreement, ITRCC will put $50 million into additional Toll Road upgrades, including safety, technology and communications initiatives such as a smart truck parking system and expansion of overhead message boards, cameras and variable speed signs. Over 10 years, by 2025, ITRCC will invest more than $500 million in Toll Road upgrades.

“Improvements on the Toll Road, on Highways 20, 30 and 31 will make our roads safer for truck and vehicle traffic alike and enhance economic development opportunities,” said Gov. Holcomb.

The toll increase will impact Class 3 and above vehicles. For example, the tolls for a Class 3 vehicle will increase from $16.33 to $22.04 (electronic card) for the entire 157-mile trip. For a Class 5 vehicle, the toll will increase from $44.46 to $60.02. The IFA will consider the agreement at a meeting later this month. With the increase, the rate per mile will remain lower than nearly all other similar roads across the country.

“Today, we’re defining Indiana differently than ever before. Next Level Connections is a direct investment in Hoosier infrastructure and quality of life that is essential to take Indiana to the next level,” said Gov. Holcomb.