By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Congressman Darin LaHood visited Bloomington on Thursday as the city prepares for another project.

After more than 25 years in the making, Bloomington leaders said they’re ready for the Hamilton Road Project.

It’s part of a bigger concept, the southern transportation corridor, which is found in city planning documents dating back to the 1960s.

Representative LaHood secured $2 million for the $22 million project. Other funding is coming from motor fuel tax.

The expansion is at the dead-end corner of Hamilton Road and Commerce Parkway. It is the final connection of a 7.2-mile east-west transportation corridor and connects the southern corridor.

LaHood said it’s a “win-win-win” when you think about what this change means for safety, traffic flow, and economic development.

“You have much to be proud of here in Bloomington in terms of the economic development and the companies and the businesses that continue to thrive and expand in Bloomington,” said LaHood. “But you have to have good infrastructure. You have to have good infrastructure in place to get people where they need to go and to attract people to the community.”

The project is expected to take two years. The city will begin the bid process in the fall with hopes of starting construction next year.

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