US 24 Fort to Port Opens

A project that's been decades in the making is finally open. The ribbon was cut on the new stretch of us 24 fort to port that now connects Indiana to Ohio quicker and safer than ever before.  However, not everyone joined in on today's celebration. 

Decades of planning, millions spent on construction, and countless hours of work have led to the  completion of a new stretch of highway connecting US 24 from New Haven to Toledo; a feat Ken Knoblauch never thought he'd see. 

"I'm honored to be part of today and feel it's a realization of a dream to stand here and open it 23 years later," said Knoblauch. 

The new US 24 Fort to Port is just one piece of the  $93 million 'Major Moves'  project, which is focused on improving Indiana's infrastructure. 

 There are a handful of lets say major moves and fort to port is one that people in every corner of the state have heard me mention this road when I'm trying illustrate what we what we are trying to do to lift-up all of Indiana," said Governor Mitch Daniels.    

"You are going to see communities open up to economic development and job opportunities that just didn't exist before," said Bob Alderman, the deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. 

Today's opening of the new us 24 fort to port was a celebration of a construction project a long time in the making.  However, for those businesses that are bypassed by the new highway today was nothing to celebrate. 

"We noticed a decrease of traffic by our station we lost a lot of travelers over the summer that come through," said Christy De Long. 

Christy de long owns a marathon gas station in Antwerp, Oh  along the old stretch of US 24 says she's had to find new ways to make up for lost business. 

"The local people are the ones that support our business now," said De Long. 

While The US 24 fort to port project promises economic growth, businesses owners like De Long don't see this highway as a road to recovery.