Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour started his annual State of the City address this year with information every driver wants to know – the road paving schedule.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

These annual speeches focus on a recap of the previous year, and this one was no different.  Mayor Dan Ridenour gave updates on many already-announced projects, like a new fire house, the crisis center, housing, and a modified plan to bring solar panels to the former GM plant site.

What’s newer – and on many minds – is when the major roads of McGalliard and Tillotson will be repaved.

“I’m going to show you where it’s getting done,” said Ridenour.  “Please share it with people, so they know.”

Ridenour has said for years that the cost to refresh these roads – $13.5 million – is more than the city can pay for on its own.  Federal and state money will help with the cost, but that’s why the project is slated to take three years.

“The feds are providing $4 million a year, is essentially how it’s working.  Because they won’t give more than that to a city of our size – that’s why we can’t do it all.  But we need that in order to do other roads and keep our employees employed.  So, we don’t have the money and  we’re not going to borrow and make future generations pay for our wonderfulness today.”

Ridenour says McGalliard from Tillotson to Wheeling will be repaved first, sometime in the next fiscal year that begins this July.  In the second year, Tillotson will be repaved.  Finally in the third year, beginning in or after July 2026 –

“ – you’ll see what is really, probably, the worst section of all of those.  Although Tillotson’s got some problems.  But the worst section on all of those is probably out towards the bypass.”

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The mayor will also be introducing things for city council approval in March and April, including funding for a new fire station and an agreement for an already-announced apartment complex on Kilgore Road.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.