New Albany to improve interchange at routes 161-62 in yearlong project
ThisWeek group
New Albany motorists soon will see major changes to the interchange at state Route 161 and U.S. Route 62.
“This interchange area has been on the radar for several years for a variety of reasons,” said Mike Barker, deputy director of public service for New Albany. “For one, this is definitely the area of highest travel volume in our corporate boundary, so there are a lot of cars in and out of New Albany that use this interchange.”
The city will spend $6.8 million in improvements to the interchange to be completed in two phases, with the first starting in July. No closures are planned, and traffic will be maintained throughout the completion of the project, Barker said.
New Albany in 2021: City officials say they are optimistic about new year
ThisWeek group
Calling himself optimistic about 2021, New Albany City Manager Joseph Stefanov said he will begin the new year in much the same way he did when it became clear the COVID-19 coronavirus would create a pandemic.
“Our approach from the beginning of this was to take it day by day and make adjustments as needed,” Stefanov said.
Part of his attitude is because of good financial planning by the city, he said. If estimates are correct, the city will finish $2.2 million in the black at the end of 2021.