14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Several road projects scheduled for Vanderburgh Co. in 2010

Several road projects scheduled for Vanderburgh Co. in 2010

By Gretchen Ross - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email

VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) - More orange barrels will soon be popping up in Vanderburgh County.

The county plans to tackle several projects this year, including a few in Evansville.

While several projects are in the works on the county's northeast side, the Maryland Street bridge along with the First Avenue bridge are also scheduled for extensive repair work soon, and one business owner near the bridges is worried about the impact of construction.

"It seems like where every one of our Donut Banks are, there's construction," Donut Bank President Chris Kempf said.

Kempf said he's no stranger to construction, but worries what impact the upcoming repair work on the First Avenue bridge will have on his nearby business.

"That is a major thoroughfare going into Evansville, going into downtown and when you cut off access to downtown we really do feel it," Kempf said.

But county commission president Troy Tornatta said lanes should remain open on both the First Avenue and Maryland Street bridges.

"We'll go with two way traffic," Tornatta said. "Most everything we are trying to do right now is to continue the traffic flow. It might be a little tight in some of those areas."

Each bridge project will cost the county around $1 million, lasting anywhere from three to six months.

Tornatta said the repair and reconstruction work should start within the next month.

Those aren't the only projects on the list for 2010.

"We need to do a justification study out at Millersburg at 164 to see if it has the potential to be an interchange," Tornatta said.

If the interchange is approved, the construction will cost $16 million.

With funds already in place, Tornatta would like to see the interchange as well as improvements to Green River Road north to Kansas start as soon as possible.

Kempf hopes the improvements won't keep customers from stopping by for their donuts and coffee.

"Hope your customers miss you and go out of their way to frequent your store," Kempf said.

Tornatta said another study will be done to decide how to develop the land on the along University Parkway.

©2009 WFIE. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.