Pictured: State Representative Mike Braun and State Senator Mark Messmer
The Indiana House has approved a bill on regional infrastructure development in Indiana. The bill was authored by State Representative Mike Braun and State Senator Mark Messmer both of Jasper and both representing parts of Daviess and surrounding counties.
Braun says the legislation allows Indiana counties or municipalities participating in a Regional Development Authority or RDA to create a special fund…
The projects could include highway or bridge repairs, rail lines, airports, commuter transportation and other critical improvements.
Under the bill, RDAs would be able to apply for FASTLANE federal grants, which fund road and bridge projects across the country. Local governments could also transfer money out of their general or rainy day funds to support regional infrastructure development.
Messmer said the bill could help jumpstart the Midstate Corridor project through Dubois, Martin and Spencer counties. The corridor is a planned interstate-grade highway connecting Interstate 64 to Interstate 69.