(La Porte County, IN) - Plans for establishing an ambulance base in Rolling Prairie are moving forward.  A new La Porte County Highway Department garage to replace the dilapidated one in Rolling Prairie is planned for the same site.

Larry Levendowski, La Porte County Facilities Director, said the drawings for both facilities are nearly completed.  Right now, he said the estimated cost is 1.9 million dollars but the expense can be reduced by scaling back the drawings if bids for the project come in too high.

The La Porte County Commissioners on April 7 approved his request to go before the La Porte County Council to seek their approval for possible funding.  The site is a former rest stop near U.S 20 and State Road 2.  The Indiana Department of Transportation donated the property to La Porte County government.

Officials said an ambulance base will reduce response times to the northeast part of the La Porte County presently served by ambulances responding from the base in the City of La Porte.