Brad Jackson was presented a sign representing the naming of the CR 1300N extension and overpass in his honor. From left are Carey Groninger, county commissioner; Marsha McSherry, county administrator; Lynnette Jackson; Brad Jackson; and Bob Conley, county commissioner president.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — A discussion started 15 years ago became a reality with the official opening of the CR 1300N extension and overpass from Old SR 15 to SR 15 Thursday afternoon, Sept. 12. The new section of road was officially named the Bradford L. Jackson Way of Kosciusko County.

A large group of individuals gathered at the top of the overpass over the Norfolk Southern tracks to officially open the roadway and announce the new name. Officials with the Kosciusko County Commissioners, county council, county redevelopment, town of Milford, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Phend & Brown along with Fred, Larry and Steve Weisser, whose property was purchase for the endeavor, citizens, and past county officials were among those who gathered for the monumental occasion.

With the official opening of the new section, the crossings at North and South streets in Milford Junction and Fourth Street in Milford will have temporary closed signs installed in the next 24 hours. Permanent closing will take place in approximately two months. Additionally, the crossing at First Street in Milford will receive crossing lights and arms in November.

Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Smith officially declared the new road extension and overpass over Norfolk Southern railroad, north of Milford, officially open during a brief ceremony Thursday.

Guest speakers included Jackson, county commissioner from the northern district; Mike Smith, INDOT commissioner, Steve Moriarty, county highway superintendent; and Bob Conley, county commissioner president.

Conley stated the gathering was for several reasons, one being to “celebrate the culmination of a project” and to officially name the new roadway. “This way, we now proudly name, on this 12^th day of September 2024, as Bradford L. Jackson Way of Kosciusko County.”

During Conley’s speech he recalled as a young man driving up to the intersection to the east and always wondering why they didn’t build a bridge to SR 15 so he didn’t have to go through town. “Guess what. Here it is. This intersection was always a wonder to me. When I became a commissioner many years later, it became evident to me why it hadn’t been done yet. The money was the big obstacle.”

He acknowledged the cooperation of the land owners and money infused into the project. “It took a little while, but we got it done. … a way to take you to the lakes area. A way to alleviate congestion. A way to bring commerce, industry and housing to this northern district. A way to promote safe travel through hard work and diligence of several people.”

Leading up to the surprise of naming the new road after Jackson, Conley recognized Marsha McSherry, county administrator; Moriarty; INDOT partners, state representatives and railroad people. The final recognition was that of Jackson. Conley stated “especially the man we all know. and his name is Bradford L. Jackson, northern district commissioner. A man of integrity, a man of high moral standards, a successful businessman, a husband, father and grandfather. A man who knows compromise is not a sign of weakness but a way and a means for getting things done. A man that I call a friend, an associate and a christian brother.”

Jackson, who was wondering why some of his family was present, was unaware of what was going to take place. He was presented with a copy of the sign that had been erected at SR 15 and at the intersection of CR 1300N and Old SR 15. Following the ceremony, Conley; County Commissioner Cary Groninger, Jackson and his family unveiled the sign at the east intersection, making it official.

Brad Jackson points to the new sign unveiled naming the new roadway in his honor.

During the brief ceremony, Jackson officially welcomed the guests present. “This project has been a dream for a long time … I remember going to Fort Wayne to the INDOT office. It was Marsha McSherry, our county administrator and Steve Moriarty with the highway. We went in and I don’t know if we pitched our plan or begged, but it worked. I never though I’d be standing here today, the day we went in.”

He thanked Gov. Eric Holcomb for his support through the Local Trax Rail Overpass Program and the landowners, recognizing the Weissers. “It was quite a process … this definitely makes it a lot safer crossing for PolyWood, Cargill and Bison and other industry in the area that use this … school busses … lot safer, more convenient way for all of us.” He noted in the near future the new road will be continued to Syracuse with new paving, “which will help the industry and give us a lot more connectivity.”

Smith stated he appreciated the opportunity to “ceremoniously open this beautiful bridge.” He noted the Trax program, which is “the envy of the nation. It’s a nation leading program, the first of its kind where we have participation from the state, the locals but also the rail lines, all in an effort to address safety.”

He pointed out Indiana has 8,700 at grade rail crossings making the state the fifth in at grade rail crossings in the nation. “And we’re happy, we’re thankful, railway safety numbers get better and continue to go down, but none the less with that many accidents, we have a lot of risk in relation to rail grade crossings in our state.”

He recently testified in front of the U.S. Congress about the program as the federal government looks to duplicate the state’s efforts in the next federal reauthorization bill for funding. “We’re happy to partner with Kosciusko County.” He noted the Trax program is a priority of Holcomb and his administration and legislators. The state, according to Smith, has already implemented improvements on 85 of 100 of the most risky rail grade crossing. “We’ll have all of that work done in the next five years .. We’ve already addressed 122 rail grade crossing improvements from 2021-2023 with some of the funds.” Those funds were from the bipartisan infrastructure law. “Safety is a big deal to the agency … we’re putting our money where our mouth is.”

The official opening of the new Bradford L. Jackson Way of Kosciusko County took place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. Participating in the official ribbon cutting were Marsha McSherry, county administrator; Jason Holden, INDOT project manager; Bob Conley, county commissioner; Brad Jackson, county commissioner; Mike Smith, INDOT commissioner; Steve Moriarty, county highway superintendent; Carey Groninger, county commissioner; Andy Brown, Phend & Brown; and State Rep. Craig Snow.

Further talking about safety, he stated he has announced a goal to reduce fatalities on all transportation networks by 25% in the next 10 years. Noting it is not just INDOT roadways, but all roadways across the state, rail and aviation operations. “We’re down year over year about 40 fatalities on our way to Vision Zero … we think that’s a big obstacle right now with cell phones and other distractions out there. So we’re making progress day to day on this … make the public safer, give access to folks who need it, like the demonstration of what we’re going to have across this rail line today.

“I’m so happy to open it. I appreciate the support of our legislative partners, Rep. (Craig) Snow and others … certainly in making things like this happen. We know we do not do it alone and a priority for the agency is for us to help accomplish local goals … we want to help you accomplish those goals and make the network more safe.

Smith also recognized a number of people and agencies who participated in the project.