Last Updated on August 28, 2019 by cassnetwork
State and local officials were on hand Wednesday for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the new INDOT Logansport Maintenance Unit. Pictured cutting the ribbon are (from left) State Rep. Ethan Manning, Boyle Construction engineer John Finley, Fosse and Associates architect Jay Smith, INDOT Northwest Highway Maintenance Director Justin Bednar, INDOT Statewide Facilities Director Steve McAvoy, INDOT Deputy Commissioner of Operations Mike Smith, Logansport Deputy Mayor Mercedes Brugh, INDOT Monticello Sub-District Operations Manager John McIntire and INDOT Logansport Unit Foreman Jerry Slusher.
The opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art maintenance unit in Logansport was celebrated on Wednesday, with Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) officials and a state representative ceremonially cutting the ribbon for the recently opened facility.
On hand for the ribbon cutting event from INDOT were Deputy Commissioner of Operations Mike Smith, Statewide Facilities Director Steve McAvoy, INDOT Northwest District Acting Deputy Commissioner Matt Deitchley and others. Also attending was Indiana State Rep. Ethan Manning.
Construction on the $3 million facility began earlier this year and finished up in early August, with INDOT personnel moving in soon after. The new unit sits on the grounds of the former unit, which was built in 1966. Included on site is a $1.2 million salt barn that opened in 2016.
“This new unit will help INDOT’s maintenance staff better and more efficiently serve a coverage area that includes parts of six counties and 384 lane miles of state highway, most notably the Hoosier Heartland Highway,” said Matt Deitchley, INDOT Northwest District’s Acting Deputy Commissioner.
The Logansport unit primarily serves Cass and Carroll counties, but also maintains roads in Fulton, Miami, Clinton and Howard counties.
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting amplifies increased investment the State of Indiana is making in its infrastructure. This year alone, INDOT is having a record-setting year for construction throughout the state, with more than 1,100 projects representing a $2 billion investment. Under Governor Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Roads plan, more than $10 billion will be spend on construction and maintenance in the next five years and $60 billion in the next 20 years.
“The State of Indiana is investing heavily in infrastructure and is focused intently on preservation moving forward – taking care of what we have,” said Mike Smith, INDOT’s Deputy Commissioner of Operations. “That includes our facilities, and having the best possible buildings – especially at the maintenance level – gives our folks the best possible tools to do just that.”
Logansport Unit, by the numbers:
– 5,822 square feet (original building 3,162 square feet)
– Two drive-thru garage bays
– Secondary containment bay, tool room and drive-thru washbay
– Wash bay has catwalks and an under body wash system for ease in cleaning dump trucks
– Building utilizes a 100 percent truck wash re-use system
New Salt Barn, by the numbers:
– 13,675 square feet
– Replaces original building, which was built in 1976
– 3,600 ton capacity
– Stage 1 pre-wash pit
– Fully automatic brine system
SOURCE: News release from INDOT