(Batesville/Oldenburg, IN) – State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) was among the many who spoke out against INDOT’s proposed $3.6 million State Road 46 project at Monday night’s public hearing at Batesville High School.
“I wasn’t going to actually speak up, and then I thought no, I need to just because, on their presentation they showed that it was over a $3 million project. And I thought, ‘Wow!” The state is not flush with money right now.”
Sen. Leising says she expected to get an earful from constituents about property tax reform and the two-year state budget upon returning from the legislative session. Instead, she’s been hearing about INDOT’s plan to resurface 46, reduce lanes from four to two, and convert the existing median into a two-way center turn lane thru Batesville.
“In the last week, I have not had one person independently, individually tell support the project – everybody who contacted me, which is so unusual, was opposed,” Leising said.
Those against the project are concerned about impeded traffic flow, and negative effects on local businesses and emergency response times, among other issues.
INDOT says the project will reduce crashes and improve safety.
You have until May 20 to direct your comments to the agency.
Sen. Leising appeared on Tuesday’s edition of WRBI’s The Daily Pod.
You can listen to the complete interview by clicking here.
