Gov. Pence and INDOT’s Negligence of Indiana’s Infrastructure Leaves SR 156 with a Long-Term Closure

INDIANAPOLIS – On July 30, an embankment slide sent State Road 156 into the Ohio River, putting the safety of everyday Hoosiers at risk and the overall economic well-being of the local economy, including the Belterra Casino Report, in jeopardy. But with a month now passed and still no resolution in sight, State Road 156 becomes another example of the mismanagement and sheer negligence of Indiana’s D+ rated infrastructure.

“This may not be I-65, but tell that to the countless Hoosiers and the local casino that relies solely on State Road 156 each day. Indiana’s roads are crumbling before our eyes, and these senseless closures could have been prevented if Governor Pence and Statehouse Republicans simply invested in the state’s existing infrastructure from the beginning,” said Drew Anderson, communications director for the Indiana Democratic Party. “Instead, road and bridge closures have caused headaches for travelers and have torpedoed the well-being of the Hoosier economy. But this is what Hoosiers get with Governor Pence – someone who will put his ideology ahead of Indiana’s valued “Crossroads of America” and “Hoosier Hospitality” reputations 100% of the time.”

Earlier this month, Governor Mike Pence was asked whether he supported using the state’s $2.1 billion surplus to help solve today’s infrastructure problems. While he said he was open to it, Gov. Pence provided only “maybe” answers – pointing to a short-term fix in 2016 and a long-term solution in 2017. Further previous budgets, passed by Republican Supermajorities in both chambers of the Statehouse, have allotted only seven percent of its funds for transportation. These dollars, adding up to millions of taxpayer dollars, were given for new or expansion projects across the state while existing roads and bridges in vast need of repair remained untouched.

Incidents like the State Road 156 and I-65 Bridge closures should make it clear to everyday Hoosiers that they can’t afford for Governor Pence and the Statehouse GOP to be late to the game on solving today’s problems for their families. If history has shown them, Governor Pence will always put his ideology ahead of helping Indiana reach its full potential.