Project completion awaits
funding
By Kyle Boggs
Summer
Reporter
Though funding has been approved, Rep. Brian Kerns,
R-7, still has a long way to go until his proposed transportation projects
are a reality.
More than $2 million in federal funding will be
needed to complete the proposed West Lafayette Transit Project. The
project is expected to meet the needs of the growing community.
The project will purchase new buses to be used
by CityBus for better transportation around campus.
Manager of CityBus Marty Sennett said the money
would also be used to construct a maintenance facility for the new buses
as well.
"Sometimes, especially in the winter months, the
buses on campus are very crowded," he said. "We're looking to buy large
buses that bend in the middle; the maintenance facility will accommodate
these buses."
Kerns is the only member of the Hoosier Congressional
delegation serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Sennett said that with out the help of Kerns, funding
for the project would have never been possible.
"We need the support of our Congressman. He (Kerns)
has been very supportive," he said.
Steve Lutes, press secretary for Kerns, said, "Kerns
has been working hard with local government officials to get this going."
Sennett said the project is going to be great for
students because time is important to them.
Sennett is hoping to make the system more reliable
and quicker than in past years.
"The bus will come every 10 minutes and take students
to class," he said.
Kerns is also trying to get $1 million in funds
approved for the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor, which is a proposed
roadway that will connect Fort Wayne to Logansport and then merge onto
65 in the Lafayette area.
The bills are still in the beginning stages.
"Both of these bills still need to be approved
by the House and the Senate, then a conference committee will work out
details," said Lutes. "When the bill is updated by the committee, it
will need to be passed by the two houses again."
There is no specific timeline for when the projects
would be totally approved and funded, said Lutes.
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