Indy given $22.9M to fix roads, bridges

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - When the snow clears, springtime sprucing up will include certain roads and bridges.

Indianapolis will start spring construction season early and with cash in its pocket. The city received $22.9 million in federal stimulus funding.

"I'm not shy about competing for federal funds and our mayor is not shy about spending it as he should be," Rep. Andre Carson, a Democrat from the 7th District said with a chuckle.

At a news conference at Arlington Community High School , Congressman Andre Carson and Mayor Greg Ballard acknowledged the east side neighborhood is in dire need of road repairs.

"I'm sure that those living and working along Arlington Avenue would agree that street improvements have been long anticipated in this area like they have been in many parts of our city," said Mayor Ballard.

Some significant improvements will be done on Emerson and Arlington Avenues from 38th to 56th streets. Those stretches are riddled with potholes.

The Department of Public Works said one of most significant projects will be on the city's south side on Raymond Street from Shelby heading east to southeastern, then southeastern to I-74.

"These are the higher traffic corridors that are in bad shape. So some of are six lanes. So there are going to be a lot of motorists and trucks that are going to have a lot easier way through the town now," said Larry Jones of the Department of Public Works.

Several bridges throughout the city will also get a facelift including the Keystone Avenue bridge over Fall Creek. The work is expected to get under way on or around March 1, weather permitting.