Submitted December 2008
When are the next public open houses?
The project team will travel to the area again April 15 and 16, 2009. More information will be available closer to the events.
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April 15; 4 to 7 p.m. - LaVille High School
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April 16; 4 to 7 p.m. - Jackson Intermediate Center
About Major Moves
In September 2005, Governor Daniels introduced his draft Major Moves highway plan. The funding comes from a combination of federal and state gas tax monies and revenues from leasing the Indiana Toll Road (ITR) to a private company. A lease was anticipated to bring in the $1.8 billion necessary to fill the construction gap. In November 2005, the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA), which owns the ITR, began soliciting bids to manage and lease the highway. In the third week of the legislative session, IFA opened bids and announced a $3.85 billion offer to maintain and operate the ITR for 75 years. The offer came from Cintra-Maquarie, an Australian-Spanish consortium which operates more than 40 toll facilities worldwide - including the Chicago Skyway which connects at the ITR's western end.
In May 2006, INDOT introduced the final, funded 10-year Major Moves highway plan. Annual new construction will quadruple during the program from $213 million in FY 2006 to $874 million in 2015. In addition to state highway projects, the counties where the ITR is located will receive one-time payments of between $40 million and $120 million for local transportation projects.
Is the New US 31 Plymouth to South Bend a Major Moves project?
Yes, this is one of three major projects scheduled for the US 31 corridor between Indianapolis and South Bend. The three projects — in Hamilton, Howard, and through Marshall and St. Joseph counties — are a $1 billion investment in north central Indiana that will increase economic activity, provide better access and create jobs.
I recently heard there is a shortfall in the amount of interest earned from the ITR lease. Does this affect our project?
No, the project is on schedule and on budget, and will proceed as previously announced.
Submitted February 2008
What is the timeline for each stretch/phase?
Construction on two bridges — Lilac Road and Plymouth-Goshen Trail — is expected to begin early in fiscal year 2009 (FY 09). Also in FY 09, INDOT plans to award the grading contract for excavation from 1st Road to just south of SR 4/Pierce Road. It will also award contracts for relocating Tyler and Lilac roads, and to construct new bridges over Miller Road, New Road and existing US 31 in St. Joseph County in FY 09.
The remaining schedule is as follows:
FY 2009-2010
Paving, constructing interchanges and improving roadway from SR 4 to US 6
FY 2010-2011
US 6 to existing US 31 (Marshall Co)
FY 2012
Existing US 31 (St. Joseph Co) to US 6
Existing US 31 (St. Joseph Co) to Kern Road
FY 2013-2015
Kern Road to US 20
Existing US 31 (Marshall Co) to 4A Road
What is the time line for the entire north stretch of US 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend?
INDOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan includes projects 25 years in the future. The US 31 segments through Hamilton County, Howard County (Kokomo), and Marshall and St. Joseph counties will be completed during this time period. Other segments will be determined as the Long Range Plan is updated.
Where can I find more information about the other projects on US 31 between Indianapolis and South Bend?
INDOT has Web sites for its two other projects - the Kokomo Corridor and The New US 31 Hamilton County. For information about Kokomo, visit http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/us31/kokomo/ and for Hamilton County, visit www.us31hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
How will the money for the upgrades be funded?
Projects such as this are funded through federal and state transportation dollars.
How much safer will this project make the route? Will fewer accidents occur?
The accident rate for a freeway is lower than that for a non-freeway facility, such as the existing US 31 corridor. By diverting traffic onto the new US 31 freeway, there will be a decline in the number of crashes in the corridor.
Where will interchanges be? Which county roads will have over/underpasses?
Interchanges will be located at 7th Road, US 6, SR 4 and Kern Road. For details on how local roads will intersect with the new US 31, click here.pdf
Are a lot of the existing roads going to become dead-ends when the freeway is built?
Bridges will be constructed to allow the free flow of traffic over or under the new US 31 alignment for many existing roadways. For all other roadways, they will be reconstructed as cul-de-sacs or relocated.
Will emergency responders be able to appropriately and timely respond to all sections of the route?
Throughout the study, design and construction, INDOT will work closely with local emergency responders to ensure a local access plan is in place to accommodate emergency vehicles.
What accommodations will be made for bicyclists, pedestrians or mass transit alternatives?
Bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from traveling on limited access roadways; however, shoulders on both sides of roads intersecting the freeway will be wide enough to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access.
What happens to the existing US 31?
We are currently in negotiations with the local governments for a relinquishment agreement. After that agreement is executed and the new US 31 is completed, it will become a local road.
Please view this PDF for additional FAQs:
UpdatedFactsheet51508.pdf
