Cities Along I-69 Growing

Its years away - but communities along the I-69 corridor are already preparing for the interstate. The Indiana Department of Transportation is handing out 950 thousand dollars worth of grants to help cities and counties in the roads path. In our area Washington, Vincennes, Oakland City and Petersburg are getting 50 thousand dollars each. Quiet, small Oakland City is referred to as a bedroom town by mayor Hugh Wirth. A place where people only eat dinner and sleep, not where they make their livings. But Wirth says his community may soon wake up. "If you dont seize the opportunity now some communities can be left behind." Just this week Wirth learned his city is one of 19 awarded a 50 thousand dollar grant by the INDOT. The new Interstate 69 is going in just about two miles from Oakland Citys city limits. INDOT says the point is helping the towns manage new growth. The cities had four options to choose from and Oakland City chose to use the money for a comprehensive plan that will prepare for the benefits of I-69. Wirth says theyre hiring the same engineering firm that is designing I-69 to engineer a plan for Oakland City. The group will give the town an idea of what their community is about now and where future growth will fit with a major interstate "It becomes a new front door for Oakland City is what it amounts to." Wirth says only good can from I-69 and this grant. 10 years down the road he sees Oakland City as the same small town, with small businesses offering opportunities thanks to a major interstate. Wirth says itll be at least a year until the plan is in place. INDOT says this is just the first round of grants. A second round of funding will be available in December.