MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Gov. Eric Holcomb plans to pump an additional $1 billion into infrastructure projects across Indiana and the list includes improvements on U.S. Routes 20, 30 and 31 and eliminating of most of U.S. 31’s stoplights between South Bend and Indianapolis.

Holcomb said that the money will come from a renegotiated agreement with the company that operates the Indiana Toll Road. Under the new terms, additional fees will be tacked onto heavy-duty vehicles that have three or more axles.

Holcomb stressed that the new fees will not be charged to drivers of passenger cars.

About $600 million will go toward speeding up completion of Interstate 69.

Additional money will be used to boost broadband access in rural areas and improve Indiana’s hiking trails and bike lanes.

Today, I’m excited to announce #NextLevelConnections, which will connect Hoosiers to each other, to the nation & to the world like never before! pic.twitter.com/Rlz41ltPhB

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

We’ll invest $190 million in projects on Highways 20, 30 & 31. Our upgrades along 31 will reduce the number of stoplights from Indy to South Bend to TWO. #NextLevelConnections pic.twitter.com/mrzZrSnXke

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

We’re going to invest $100 million to ensure our rural communities can access affordable, high-speed internet. #Broadband #NextLevelConnections pic.twitter.com/c6tmneBeAr

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

We have an opportunity to develop a world-class network of hiking & biking #trails. Our goal is that there will be a trail within five miles of every Hoosier by 2020. #NextLevelConnections pic.twitter.com/9jmNg5JX8A

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

#NextLevelConnections will allow us to accelerate the completion of I-69 section 6. We’ll complete this highway by 2024 – three years ahead of schedule. pic.twitter.com/0nd2hZAe9y

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

Indianapolis will become the preferred Midwest hub of international travel. We are looking at Asia, Central & South America, & Europe where we can add a nonstop flight to & from @INDairport. pic.twitter.com/pjFGjcALpv

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 4, 2018

The following news release was issued by the Governor’s Office regarding the Next Level Connections plan:

MARTINSVILLE (Sept. 4, 2018) – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today announced his infrastructure agenda plan for 2019, including a new $1 billion investment in infrastructure projects. The Next Level Connections program will expand broadband services in rural Indiana, grow the state’s systems of trails, create more nonstop international flights, and move up the completion of major highway projects. The state also will continue to pursue building a new fourth water port at Lawrenceburg and expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.

“Today we’re sending a big message to the world that Indiana is making a huge investment in our quality of life and for those who aspire to join us,” said Holcomb. “We are linking Hoosiers to each other and to the world.”

Through the Next Level Connections program, Gov. Holcomb will:

• Commit $100 million to bridge the digital divide in rural areas of the state. The state will create a grant program to bring high speed, affordable broadband access to unserved and underserved areas of the state.
• Utilize $90 million to link communities through more hiking, biking and riding trails. The state will initiate a grant program that encourages local and regional collaboration to grow the state’s trails system.
• Complete major highway projects

o   Accelerate completion of I-69 Section 6 from 2027 to 2024 ($600 million)

o   Add new interchanges on U.S. 31 between South Bend and Indianapolis and expand the number of projects that will be completed on U.S. 20 and 30 through 2023 ($190 million)

o   Focus INDOT resources to clean up the state’s highways

• Establish Indianapolis as the preferred Midwestern destination by adding more nonstop international flights ($20 million)
• Complete evaluation of the purchase of land to develop the state’s fourth port on the Ohio River near Lawrenceburg
• Pursue federal funding for the West Lake and South Shore rail projects in Northwest Indiana

The Indiana Finance Authority will amend its agreement with the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC), which operates the Indiana Toll Road, to allow ITRCC to increase the toll rates for heavy vehicles by 35 percent, beginning in October. The $1 billion in proceeds from the amended ITRCC agreement will be used to fund planned road projects in the seven Toll Road counties, which will free up INDOT resources to be directed to the Next Level Connections program.

As a part of the new agreement, ITRCC will put $50 million into additional Toll Road upgrades, including safety, technology and communications initiatives such as a smart truck parking system and expansion of overhead message boards, cameras and variable speed signs. Over 10 years, by 2025, ITRCC will invest more than $500 million in Toll Road upgrades.

“Improvements on the Toll Road, on Highways 20, 30 and 31 will make our roads safer for truck and vehicle traffic alike and enhance economic development opportunities,” said Gov. Holcomb.

The toll increase will impact Class 3 and above vehicles. For example, the tolls for a Class 3 vehicle will increase from $16.33 to $22.04 (electronic card) for the entire 157-mile trip. For a Class 5 vehicle, the toll will increase from $44.46 to $60.02. The IFA will consider the agreement at a meeting later this month. With the increase, the rate per mile will remain lower than nearly all other similar roads across the country.

“Today, we’re defining Indiana differently than ever before. Next Level Connections is a direct investment in Hoosier infrastructure and quality of life that is essential to take Indiana to the next level,” said Gov. Holcomb.

For more information, go to www.in.gov/gov.