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INDOT gives control of US52 & SR26 to Lafayette

Lafayette leaders will have a great say over two major roads running through the city.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and city's Board of Works have signed an agreement to transfer to the city of Lafayette responsibility for 19.6 miles of U.S. 52 and nearly 7.5 miles of State Road 26 through the city.  In exchange, INDOT has agreed to pay the city $21 million.

INDOT Crawfordsville District Deputy Commissioner Alan Plunkett and Mayor Roswarski began negotiating this transfer two years ago.  This includes cash payments totaling $21 million and up to $2.9 million for a future road work project on U.S. 52.

Relinquishment means that INDOT hands over control of the road to the local government.  Once a road is relinquished, the local government has the opportunity to plan and build construction projects along the corridor; issue permits for roadway access; and conduct all maintenance on the roadway, including pothole patching and snow and ice removal.

INDOT provides one-time funding to the local government at the relinquishment to offset some of the expenses the local government assumes when it takes over control of the roadway.