VIGO CO., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Indiana State Representative Tonya Pfaff is reintroducing a bill that would help bring a possible lane expansion to I-70 from two lanes to three on both east and westbound lanes. This will help increase the safety of all drivers traveling on I-70 in Indiana.
“I will keep introducing this bill until it happens because I think it’s so important for us to have three lanes,” Pfaff said. “Again, safety, safety, safety.”
Pfaff mentioned that the expansion would go from Terre Haute, IN, to Richmond, IN. An expansion like this can also help bring more economic development to the area, while keeping everyone safe.
“We have so much going on in Terre Haute,” Pfaff said. “I just believe people need a safe way to get to our community. I-70 is a direct route all across the state. It’s just, for economic development, for new businesses coming in, for our airport, it just makes sense.”
While Pfaff is focusing on helping the drivers of I-70 be safer with the expansion. President and CEO Kristin Craig mentioned that a lane expansion on I-70 can help bring more businesses to the area, as I-70 can be a major reason why a business might choose to come to Terre Haute or not.
“Every business that looks at Terre Haute and whether they are going to relocate here, whether they’re going to expand here, one of the first things they look at is our roadways and our transportation and our infrastructure, and I-70 plays a huge part in that,” Craig said. “It would be safe to assume with I-70 not being invested in, that would be something that would detract from those businesses eventually locating here.”
Craig also mentioned that I-70 has become unreliable for some travelers in the area, and that can be a reason why an organization might choose somewhere else to go instead of Terre Haute.
“We’ve realized this is not just a problem for residents who are on I-70; it is also a problem for the businesses as well,” Craig said. “They are taking some extraordinary measures to avoid I-70 in certain circumstances and are just basically seeing it as not the overall reliable stretch of roadway that it should be for our area.”
Pfaff did mention that she is already getting some support for this bill from someone major in Indiana’s government.
“Governor Braun has come out in support of expanding I-70,” Pfaff said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what plan he has to pay for it all, and we’ll see where we can go.”
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