Couple of tidbits to share:
Another Battery Factory Planned for KokomoYesterday,
news broke that Stellantis and Samsung SDI plan to build a
second battery plant in Kokomo. Each facility, when fully built out, is expected to employ 1,400. While these plans do not directly apply to US 31 and its possible upgrades, they have an indirect impact as the population in Howard and Tipton counties is likely to increase if the factories come to fruition. And, of course, a larger population means more traffic, which then leads to road expansions and other mobility improvements.
US31/256th Street and the Wilson Farm Market
In regards to the Wilson Farm Market issue, I came across an interesting
news piece from October 2020. In it, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt is reported as noting the county’s comprehensive plan shows an "access" at 256th Street. Bear in mind, this news report was from three years ago, so things may have changed since then. Also, it doesn't mention the date of the comprehensive plan, so that, too, might have been a few years old.
Looking again at the
PROPel US 31 South Study, Existing Transportation Conditions, it notes that the INDOT Access Management Guide classifies the US 31 corridor through Hamilton, Tipton, Howard, and Miami counties as a Tier 1A Mobility Corridor. With the classification, a number a guidelines apply, and those can be viewed on Page 19 of the study. There is no mention when US 31 was designated a Tier 1A Mobility Corridor. But that classification, whenever it was conferred, certainly must be taken into account when putting together a county comprehensive plan.
According to the study, 256th Street is classified by INDOT as a "local road," while 276th Street and 236th Street (Bakers Corner),
and 266th Street, are deemed "Major Collector" (Page 7). The reason for the classification grade of 256th Street is probably because it ends at Eagletown Road west of US 31. This indicates that, unless something significant changes, building an interchange or an overpass at 256th Street is unlikely to occur in the years to come. But, having said that, it's difficult to determine the growth of the northern exurbs of Indianapolis, whether it will be slow and steady or simply explode. Development already is rapidly spreading in northern Hamilton County. How far up it will go and how fast it will happen is a tremendous challenge to predict. However, the main development pattern is clear, and that is, it's primarily moving northward. There may come a time, perhaps in 15 or 20 years, or more, when another interchange on US 31 is needed between 236th and 276th Streets. But, for now, don't hold your breath.
Map showing new development in northwest Hamilton County
Google MapsSatellite view of the town of Sheridan in northern Hamilton County, depicting a major residential housing project under development. Located about four miles west of Bakers Corner, Sheridan's population is beginning to tick up, from 2,665 in 2010 to 3,106 in 2020. When businesses begin to establish their footprint in the LEAP Innovation District in Boone County, both Sheridan and Bakers Corners, and other nearby towns, will likely see significant residential development.
Edit: Added map/minor wording edits
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Topic: More US 31 upgrades between Indy and South Bend (Read 98452 times)