Chances for a $1,000,000 loop in Ind. 10 -1953

Culver Academy Loop In Ind. 10 Held Unlikely
By Lester M. Hunt
Indianapolis Star, Mar 20, 1953

Chances for a $1,000,000 loop in Ind. 10 around the Culver Military Academy appeared remote yesterday.

"There is no reason why the taxpayers should be asked to pay for such a project if it is merely to benefit an institution that pays no taxes," William E. Sayer, administrative assistant to Governor George N. Craig, declared yesterday.

Whether there is justification for the proposed improvement will be determined by the new highway commission which is scheduled to take office April 1.

"That will be their first order of business," Sayer said.

THE RELOCATION of Ind. 10 was explained by Highway Commission Chairman Albert J. Wedcking as a plan to run the highway east to Argos from Ihe Starke-Marshall County line, eliminating many sharp curves.

However, the stakes laid out by thp commission as the route for the new road reveal no such intention.

The new road would veer north around the military academy and back to Ind. 10 a short distance east of the academy grounds. It would leave several dangerous curves still in the road between that point and Argos.

Wedcking said yesterday it was planned to extend the road "eventually."

Sayer said present curves in the road could he eliminated, at minor cost without building a now loop around Culver.

ADM. OHN W. BAYS, who is commandant of the Culver summer school, said the school desired the abandonment of Ind. 10 now passing through the school property.

The institution plans to build a new summer camp for small boys north of the highway and considers the present road a saftey hazard. Also, he siad, older boys riding horses are required to cross the road on maneuvers.

Sayer said Culxer could solve its problem by building an underpass.

If the new road is localed north of the present one, Bays said the school desired to buy the old right of way and close that section of its grounds to traffic.

The new road would still pass through Culver property as would Ind. 117, if it is extended half a mile north to meet the new Ind. 10.

If 117 IS NOT extended, residents along the east shore of Lake Maxinkuckee would be blocked from their present easy access to the town of Culver. Sayer pointed out.

Academy officials say they favor this extension, but plans of the highway "commission are vague on this point.

Savor said the new loop in Ind. 10 would cost $110,000 a mile. It would replace 5.8 miles of the present Ind. 10.

Sam Modbourn, Culver grain merchant and a graduate of the academy, is leading the opposition to the new road which he branded as "camouflage" to aid the school at the expense of the taxpayers.

Academy officials said, that while they welcomed the new location, they had exerted no pressure on the highway commission.