The Apache Drive project in Rochester moving forward on plans of improving road connectivity by connecting the area to SR 25 and SR 14. 

The North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council (NCIRPC) broke ground Wednesday at Apache Drive, meeting with local officials to present The City of Rochester with $1 million in READI funding for the project. It's intended to  help create safe pedestrian and motor travel from residential areas to retail districts.

The project also has hopes of improving Rochester's economic development, with multiple new businesses already expressing in locations along Apache Drive. 

Rochester Mayor Ted Denton said the project has been a long time coming. 

Mayor Denton said the READI grant was the final push to get the ball rolling on the estimated $3.2 million extension project. 

Shown in the photo during the presentation, from left: Brett Curnutt, Rochester Redevelopment Commission President; Steven Ray, NCIRPC executive director; Jana Vance, Rochester Community School Corporation Superintendent, Michael Ladd FEDCO Executive Director; Bryan Lewis, Fulton County Commissioner's President; Rochester Mayor Ted Denton; and Paul Wyman, NCIRPC Board President.