Columbus Paying To Restore Features Removed By State

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — Columbus will spend up to $70,000 to replace streetscape features removed or damaged by state contractors during a repaving project.

The repair work will be done at two downtown intersections where Indiana 46 is being repaved through the city in a $3 million project that includes the addition of wheelchair curb ramps and improved traffic signals.

City redevelopment director Heather Pope tells The Republic that the goal is to return the brick pavers and other streetscape features to their original appearance when installed in the 1990s.

State highway department spokesman Harry Maginity says the agency can't pay for the streetscape restoration because that is prohibited under terms of federal funding being used on the Indiana 46 project.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

Indiana voters to pick party candidates in competitive, multimillion dollar primaries

The results of some primary elections in Indiana could determine the outcome of the general election in a deep red state where Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature and GOP politicians lead many top offices. The primaries will be held May 7.