MONROE CO. – A long-anticipated east-west thoroughfare connecting West Gordon and West Fullerton Pike in Monroe County is scheduled for substantial completion by August 4, just ahead of the Monroe County Community School Corporation’s new academic year. However, the project’s total cost has climbed to $19.5 million, partly due to an unexpected $481,000 in expenses for rock removal.
Lisa Ridge, Director of the Monroe County Highway Department, stated that crews encountered nearly five times more rock (9,165 cubic yards) than initially anticipated, making excavation more difficult and costly. The additional $481,000 for rock removal will be covered by the county, with a request for 80% reimbursement from the Indiana Department of Transportation currently pending. The county may utilize funds from its approximately $10 million major bridge fund, which is also allocated for other bridge projects and debt on the Fullerton Pike extension.
The project, which local officials have discussed for over 30 years, includes a new 500-foot bridge, a roundabout at the Batchelor/Clear View/Gordon Pike intersection (most of which will be ready for school opening), a 6-10 foot raised median, a 10-foot multi-use path on the north side, and a 5-foot sidewalk on the south side.
Primarily funded locally with $8 million borrowed by the highway department, additional local road and street funds, and approximately $3 million in federal dollars, the connector aims to provide easier access to and from I-69, spur development, and improve travel for residents accessing schools, the library, and other key areas.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed gratitude to residents for their patience and praised Ridge and the highway department for meeting the school year deadline. Ridge took pride in seeing the project, which she had been involved with since 2015, reach its final connection to I-69.
