By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The final gravel road in Warsaw may soon get a significant makeover.
If funding becomes available, the city of Warsaw plans to move forward with reconstructing a half-mile stretch of CR 300N between Silveus Crossing and CR 200W, which is north of the Warsaw Technology Park and adjacent to Madison Elementary and east of SR 15.
The section of dirt road can be either dusty or muddy — depending on the weather — and has several big hills.
Upgrades to the road have been ignored for various reasons, one of those being the cost.
Officials say it could cost upward of $ million, in part because some of the hills need to be smoothed out to improve vision along the road.
Officials are hoping to rely on Community Crossings state grant money to cover half of the costs and could learn soon if they are in line for the money.
Public Works Superintendent Dustin Dillon envisions the road would generate much more traffic once it is revamped.
Reconstruction could happen next year if everything falls into place.
He was asked if it could become a shortcut to US 30 to the west.
“I think it’s going to become a thorofare … you hit it spot on with the tech park and being able to access Silveus Crossing to 30 or … back to State Road 15,” Dillon said.
Dillon talked about this project and others involving the public works department with Mayor Jeff Grose during a taping of In the Know, the
Grose points out that they expect the development of the road up to modern standards will likely spur development in the immediate area but declined to offer specifics.
He said he thinks the private sector will show interest, adding, “Time will tell.”
Dillon said the city relies heavily on Community Crossings money every chance they get.
Reconstruction of roads in Hodges addition near Lincoln Elementary has been a big recipient of those funds.
The three-phase (overall $3 million project) was originally bidded out at the beginning of the pandemic and is in the final stages of the third phase this month with a focus on Lincoln Street where street curbs and utilities are being upgraded.
Much of the work will be done yet this year, but final paving might wait until spring, he said.
That money was also used for the frontage road improvements made this summer and the city hopes to do the same with Airport Road.
“Being able to go out on these grant opportunities and taking advantage of that has been a huge asset for us,” Dillon said.
During the radio interview, Dillon and Grose addressed other public works projects as well as the cooperation between departments involving the removal of the Center Lake pier.
In The Know can be heard at the following times:
News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):
Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturdays at 7 a.m.
Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.
WRSW (107.3):
Sundays at 6 a.m.
Willie (103.5 FM):
Sundays at 6 a.m.
