The Oct. 22 tragic propane truck accident, which bottled up traffic on both Interstate 465 and Interstate 69 for hours, makes a strong case for renewing consideration of a commerce connector that would route truck traffic around cities. Thousands of motorists were inconvenienced unnecessarily and the community of Pendleton was affected by the traffic gridlock.
More than two years ago, Gov. Mitch Daniels proposed the idea to build a 75-mile toll road that would stretch from I-69, near Pendleton south, and west to Interstate 70, near Indianapolis International Airport. When it appeared to him that there was no genuine consensus to the project, the governor dropped the plan.
If those motorists who waited in long lines last week could be surveyed, chances are good they would buy into any plan that would prohibit 18-wheelers and other heavy-duty trucks from using I-465. I believe the governor should again propose the commerce connector idea, or some variation of it. Several leaders, statewide, called Daniels’ plan visionary, when it was presented in 2007. Given the accidents and gridlock it would prevent, it is no less forward looking today.
With over 150,000 vehicles daily crossing that one bridge on I-465 alone, we have become too vulnerable to such accidents, which not only hamper the capital city, but the entire region. Can we afford to delay such an important project as the commerce connector any longer?
Don Henderson, president
Pendleton Town Council
