The State Budget Committee gave the go-ahead Tuesday for work to begin on two significant state construction projects located in Northwest Indiana.
The larger project calls for spending $11.6 million to construct a new Indiana Department of Transportation unit building and salt building in Gary to replace existing structures originally built in 1965 and 1979.
According to INDOT, the age and condition of both buildings has led to operational issues, including lack of approved work clearances and proper ventilation in garage spaces, along with salt contamination, since trucks cannot currently deliver salt directly into the building and must off-load salt on the ground.
The second project is an $8.9 million renovation of the Indiana National Guard armory in LaPorte, up from the $7 million previously approved by the Budget Committee.
Col. Bradley Compton told the state spending panel that higher than anticipated costs to complete recent National Guard armory renovations in Bloomington and Columbus spurred the request for a funding increase in LaPorte.
Under the plan, the 67-year-old building will be expanded by 6,200 sq. ft., and the existing 12,292-sq.ft. structure will be renovated, to comply with federal and state code requirements; improve the spaces used for for administrative, training, supply, arms storage, restroom and parking needs; and to connect to municipal water and sewer service.
Compton said the National Guard plans to divest its Michigan City armory, saving approximately $3 million in backlogged maintenance costs, after construction of the updated LaPorte Readiness Center is finished sometime in 2026.
The Budget Committee on Tuesday also authorized using $2.5 million to demolish the Wolcott Rest Areas on both sides of Interstate 65 near the windmills in White County.
INDOT believes the new I-65 rest areas located in Northwest Indiana and Lebanon, featuring modern restrooms and hundreds of semi-trailer parking places, eliminated the need for an older rest area in between that already was closed earlier this year.
In addition, the panel agreed to release up to $5 million designated in the 2023-25 state budget to begin planning for a new judicial building on the Statehouse campus.
© Copyright 2024, nwitimes.com, Munster, IN