Steve Buyer: “the completion of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor gets another step closer today with the House passage of the FY 2006…”

“the completion of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor gets another step closer today with the House passage of the FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations conference report. For over thirteen years, I have worked with many others in a bipartisan effort across north-central Indiana as this project has developed from a design plan, to the first groundbreaking, to this latest step in bringing efficiency and safety to North Central Indiana. I commend Congressman Chris Chocola who has provided leadership in the completion of this project and commend the $1.3 million he secured for the Cass County-Carroll County segment. Included in this bill is a $1.5 million designation for the Hoosier Heartland's most dangerous segment yet to be completed between Lafayette and Delphi. This project continues to be a priority for me and many other community leaders and elected officials along the route. Also included in this conference report is $750,000 to continue the Lafayette Bus Replacement plan that I have worked on the past several years with CityBus's Marty Sennett and State Senator Brandt Hershman. Earlier this year the, Transportation Authorization bill included $500,000 for FY 2006 and this appropriation places us on schedule to meet $2.5 million by FY 2009. Finally, Johnson County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and significant traffic congestion exists and will only get worse.…”