The Indiana Department of Transporation is moving quickly to award bids for state highway projects to be funded through the federal economic stimulus package.The state has already received bids on 26 projects it had earlier identified as eligible for about $39 million in federal stimulus money. Governor Mitch Daniels Friday announced that bids are being sought on 29 more projects, valued at about $44 million.Daniels says Indiana's existing "Major Moves" road improvement initiative has helped move the process along."One reason we're able to move fast is we've got this (Major Moves) list," Daniels said. "We're just pulling projects forward off a list that already exists. In other states, they're scrambling to decide what heretofore unaffordable projects to begin."Indiana is getting $658 million in federal stimulus funds for state and local transportation projects.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.