INDIANAPOLIS – Drew Anderson, communications director of the Indiana Democratic Party, released the following statement as Mike Pence today signed an election year, short-term road plan that does the bare minimum needed to maintain the state’s D+-rated infrastructure system.
“One thing is certain: without ideas offered by Democrats, Indiana would still be without any infrastructure plan at all. It was only after three and a half years in office and a number of infrastructure crises around the state, including the I-65 bridge closure from last August that Governor Pence finally put out an infrastructure plan. While Democrats, like John Gregg who put out a comprehensive, long-term plan out four years ago, foresaw this problem – Mike Pence chose to do nothing. In doing so, he put Indiana’s ‘Crossroads of America’ reputation in jeopardy. Hoosiers wanted long-term solutions this session, not a plan meant for an election year talking point. It’s this out-of-touch agenda, not to mention failed leadership by Mike Pence, that leaves our infrastructure crumbling and has our state falling behind the rest of the nation.”
BACKGROUND: Timeline of Mike Pence’s Failure to Address State’s Crumbling Infrastructure
September 2012: No plan from Mike Pence on how to improve and maintain our state’s infrastructure.
August 4, 2015: Northbound lane of Wildcat Creek Bridge – located on I-65 – closes abruptly after structural problems surface.
August 5, 2015: INDOT confirms 21 bridges in Tippecanoe County (along with over 1,800 other bridges in the state) are labeled as “structurally deficient.
August 7, 2015: After briefly reopening, the Wildcat Creek Bridge again closes, after bridge sunk nine inches.
August 12, 2015: Eight days after initial bridge closure, Mike Pence finally holds media availability and said he’s open to using “short-term” opportunities to aid state’s failing infrastructure.
August 13, 2015: Trucking businesses, state economy impacted by the I-65 bridge closure.
August 14, 2015: INDOT announces Wildcat Creek Bridge on I-65 will remain closed until mid-September.
August 20, 2015: Along with delayed travel and an impact to the state’s economy, fatal car accidents are reported along the I-65 detour.
September 21, 2015: Report reveals INDOT invested $71 million in faulty asphalt, leaving 200 road projects across the state in jeopardy of crumbling sooner than expected.
October 15, 2015: Local roads – making up 90% of state’s infrastructure – miss out on Mike Pence’s short-term solution to fix state’s D+ rated infrastructure.
December 10, 2015: To cover for Mike Pence’s failure, Senate Republicans also introduce a short-term, one-time bill aimed at state’s local infrastructure.
###
