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More US 31 upgrades between Indy and South Bend

Started by monty, July 12, 2019, 04:23:31 PM

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theline

Quote from: JREwing78 on April 27, 2022, 02:52:16 AM
Quote from: monty on April 26, 2022, 10:25:04 PM
INDOT to begin removing homes with driveways that access US 31 in Miami County: https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/indot-to-demolish-homes-along-us-31-in-miami-co/article_17f94016-c585-11ec-b094-c7a6b2192c61.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3iuQHoNozDFyzVsPke24sTlnTaAyyeCgcUIQB-ehR8khhe9jmxFasX0Ug

That should be a standing policy of INDOT along all of the sections of US-31 north of Indianapolis that have properties with driveway access.

In lieu of having the funds to remove driveway access entirely, INDOT should take advantage of every opportunity it gets to have property owners give up that access voluntarily. The more they can get done now, the safer US-31 becomes and the cheaper it will be to go fully limited-access later.

They should have a similar policy along US-30 and IN-63/US-41 where these roads are not fully limited access.

The Voluntary Property Purchase Program, mentioned in the article, seems to be INDOT's policy for the whole of US-31. According to the INDOT US-31 page (https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/) homeowners along the route can voluntarily surrender their property:
QuoteVoluntary Property Purchase Program

A component of INDOT's long-term plan to improve safety and mobility along U.S. 31 north of Indianapolis includes reducing the number of, and in some areas eliminating private driveways which connect to the highway. To deliver on this component, INDOT is offering a voluntary property purchase program. This program gives property owners along the corridor with driveway access to U.S. 31 the opportunity to approach INDOT to discuss a potential sale of their property to the agency for the purpose of eliminating driveway access. This program is open to all property owners, commercial and residential, with driveway access to U.S. 31.

For property owners that have no access other than U.S. 31, INDOT would negotiate purchase of the entire property, remove the U.S. 31 driveway and make the balance of the property available for sale. For property owners with access to other routes, such as a state highway or local road, INDOT would negotiate to purchase only the property containing the U.S. 31 driveway, leaving the balance of the property to be retained by the owner.

Interested property owners must contact INDOT to discuss participating in the voluntary purchase program. INDOT is not actively soliciting for property purchases along the U.S. 31 corridor with the exception of property needed for planned access control projects. Property owners impacted by planned U.S. 31 access control projects will be contacted by INDOT or a contracted consultant.
While driving the route recently, I've noticed many boarded-up properties in areas where the state has not announced any construction and not mentioned in the article. I presume that these have been acquired under this program.


I-39

Quote from: cabiness42 on April 27, 2022, 01:01:46 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 27, 2022, 12:57:27 PM
US 31 between Indy and South Bend is fine as it is and doesn't need any "upgrades." It serves traffic just fine without the need to be a full freeway.

The section from Plymouth to Peru is fine as is. South of Peru, it does need at least the upgrades that are currently slated and a full freeway would not be unwarranted.

I'd say even between Kokomo and Peru is good, just remove the stoplights. A full freeway is only warranted between Indy and Kokomo at this time.

I-55

Quote from: I-39 on May 15, 2022, 11:43:09 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 27, 2022, 01:01:46 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 27, 2022, 12:57:27 PM
US 31 between Indy and South Bend is fine as it is and doesn't need any "upgrades." It serves traffic just fine without the need to be a full freeway.

The section from Plymouth to Peru is fine as is. South of Peru, it does need at least the upgrades that are currently slated and a full freeway would not be unwarranted.

I'd say even between Kokomo and Peru is good, just remove the stoplights. A full freeway is only warranted between Indy and Kokomo at this time.

I'd beg to differ, usually about 70% of the traffic I'm with when I go to Purdue on 24 WB exits to 31 SB. In my experience 31 between Peru and Kokomo could use the freeway upgrade (AADT over 20k). I've only gone Plymouth-Peru twice and neither time did I think it needed to be a freeway then and there (AADT slightly over 10k).
Let's Go Purdue Basketball Whoosh

I-39

Quote from: I-55 on May 16, 2022, 09:18:51 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 15, 2022, 11:43:09 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 27, 2022, 01:01:46 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 27, 2022, 12:57:27 PM
US 31 between Indy and South Bend is fine as it is and doesn't need any "upgrades." It serves traffic just fine without the need to be a full freeway.

The section from Plymouth to Peru is fine as is. South of Peru, it does need at least the upgrades that are currently slated and a full freeway would not be unwarranted.

I'd say even between Kokomo and Peru is good, just remove the stoplights. A full freeway is only warranted between Indy and Kokomo at this time.

I'd beg to differ, usually about 70% of the traffic I'm with when I go to Purdue on 24 WB exits to 31 SB. In my experience 31 between Peru and Kokomo could use the freeway upgrade (AADT over 20k). I've only gone Plymouth-Peru twice and neither time did I think it needed to be a freeway then and there (AADT slightly over 10k).

Let me be clear, I do think the whole corridor should be a full freeway at some point. The current "free flow"  plan makes no sense, there are way too many access points along the corridor that will cause hazards, particularly south of Peru. They already made South Bend to Plymouth, the Kokomo bypass and SR 38 to Indy freeway, why not fill in the gaps? Every other corner of the state has an Interstate link, why can't South Bend?

That said, I do believe there are bigger priorities InDOT needs to focus on, such as widening I-65 and I-70 to 6+ lanes statewide. And the Plymouth to Peru segment is not urgently needed at this time as many have pointed out. As such, my suggestion is the priority right now should be converting the gap between SR 38 and Kokomo to full freeway. Finish the widening on I-65/70 and then come back and do the Kokomo to Peru and lastly, the Peru to Plymouth.

The Ghostbuster

I agree that US 31 will eventually be completely freeway between Indianapolis and South Bend. If one has enough patience, it will likely happen within the next 20-30 years (that could be optimistic, though).

monty

monty

sprjus4


silverback1065

o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Great Lakes Roads

Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

I-39

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 05, 2022, 03:27:55 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

Why are they doing a RIRO at 286th street and not fully closing the intersection?

NWI_Irish96

Quote from: I-39 on June 06, 2022, 09:59:21 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 05, 2022, 03:27:55 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

Why are they doing a RIRO at 286th street and not fully closing the intersection?

I don't know, doesn't make sense to me. Bigger question is why does the farm equipment supplier at 276th get an interchange over the entire town of Arcadia at 266th?
Indiana: counties 100%, highways 100%
Illinois: counties 100%, highways 61%
Michigan: counties 100%, highways 56%
Wisconsin: counties 86%, highways 23%

I-39

Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on June 06, 2022, 10:05:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 06, 2022, 09:59:21 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 05, 2022, 03:27:55 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

Why are they doing a RIRO at 286th street and not fully closing the intersection?

I don't know, doesn't make sense to me. Bigger question is why does the farm equipment supplier at 276th get an interchange over the entire town of Arcadia at 266th?

Yeah, that doesn't make sense either. It's not a true freeway if there are still at-grade access points.

Seriously, it's time for InDOT to pull a page from WisDOT and upgrade US 31 like the latter did with US 41 in the 1990s. Start at IN 38 and work north.

silverback1065

Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on June 06, 2022, 10:05:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 06, 2022, 09:59:21 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 05, 2022, 03:27:55 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

Why are they doing a RIRO at 286th street and not fully closing the intersection?

I don't know, doesn't make sense to me. Bigger question is why does the farm equipment supplier at 276th get an interchange over the entire town of Arcadia at 266th?

I think the reason for 276th is because Hamilton County considers it one of their major county highways, it also has some major businesses on it (this is just my guess looking at google maps). as for the RIRO it's simple, it probably needed an interchange but they ran out of money for a proper one!  :-D maybe a full one will come once traffic really justifies one, again just a guess on my part. Maybe it will be a good RIRO too like the one for SR 37 and 135th in Fishers.  who knows.

tosa

Quote from: I-39 on June 06, 2022, 10:12:00 PM
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on June 06, 2022, 10:05:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 06, 2022, 09:59:21 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 05, 2022, 03:27:55 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 04, 2022, 11:01:22 PM
o wow that's fast! maybe 31 in hamilton co will be fully limited access soon.

Yes, and the 276th Street interchange is part of the US 31 Limited-Access Upgrade from SR 38 to 286th Street.

Here's a breakdown of the construction schedule on this project:

FY 2022- 236th Street interchange (part of a separate study)- Completion date is July 2023
FY 2022- 276th Street interchange, 281st Street cul-del-sac, and 286th Street right-in, right-out (RIRO)- Completion date is August 2023
FY 2023- 216th Street cul-del-sac and 226th Street overpass
FY 2024- 241st, 246th, & 256th Street cul-del-sac and 266th Street overpass

Link to the project's website: https://www.in.gov/indot/projects/us-31-project/us-31-limited-access-upgrade-from-sr-38-to-286th-street/

While the 296th Street intersection is the county line, that will actually be a part of a separate planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study to upgrade US 31 within Tipton County.

Why are they doing a RIRO at 286th street and not fully closing the intersection?

I don't know, doesn't make sense to me. Bigger question is why does the farm equipment supplier at 276th get an interchange over the entire town of Arcadia at 266th?

Yeah, that doesn't make sense either. It's not a true freeway if there are still at-grade access points.

Seriously, it's time for InDOT to pull a page from WisDOT and upgrade US 31 like the latter did with US 41 in the 1990s. Start at IN 38 and work north.

Most midsized Wisconsin towns have 4 lane roads connecting to a major interstate, not to mention many of these roads are interstate level. The gas price is higher in Indiana but the road infrastructure is much worse. Just don't understand where the tax money goes.

tdindy88

I'm also not a fan of 276th Street being an interchange instead of 266th Street. However, given the presence of the 236th Street interchange I would have placed exits at 266th and then 296th Streets. 266th Street has direct access to Arcadia and 296th Street has direct access to Atlanta. I'm guessing INDOT wanted to do one exit in that part of the county and not two so they settled on 276th as a compromise between the two. Plus they can serve those apparently important businesses along that road.

As for the RIRO at 286th Street, I am almost certain that will only be temporary. Everything from 296th Street north through Tipton County is still being "studied," though mainly the Division Road stuff I'm guessing. More than likely 296th Street will eventually be an overpass and 286th will become cul-de-sacs at some point. But until they get serious on making US 31 a freeway through Tipton County they'll settle on 286th being a RIRO and marking that as the official end of the freeway.

silverback1065

Quote from: tdindy88 on June 07, 2022, 11:01:46 AM
I'm also not a fan of 276th Street being an interchange instead of 266th Street. However, given the presence of the 236th Street interchange I would have placed exits at 266th and then 296th Streets. 266th Street has direct access to Arcadia and 296th Street has direct access to Atlanta. I'm guessing INDOT wanted to do one exit in that part of the county and not two so they settled on 276th as a compromise between the two. Plus they can serve those apparently important businesses along that road.

As for the RIRO at 286th Street, I am almost certain that will only be temporary. Everything from 296th Street north through Tipton County is still being "studied," though mainly the Division Road stuff I'm guessing. More than likely 296th Street will eventually be an overpass and 286th will become cul-de-sacs at some point. But until they get serious on making US 31 a freeway through Tipton County they'll settle on 286th being a RIRO and marking that as the official end of the freeway.

that cemetary complicates matters, it's pretty close to the road, would be tough to do anything there. (296th and 31)

I-39

Quote from: silverback1065 on June 07, 2022, 01:25:54 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 07, 2022, 11:01:46 AM
I'm also not a fan of 276th Street being an interchange instead of 266th Street. However, given the presence of the 236th Street interchange I would have placed exits at 266th and then 296th Streets. 266th Street has direct access to Arcadia and 296th Street has direct access to Atlanta. I'm guessing INDOT wanted to do one exit in that part of the county and not two so they settled on 276th as a compromise between the two. Plus they can serve those apparently important businesses along that road.

As for the RIRO at 286th Street, I am almost certain that will only be temporary. Everything from 296th Street north through Tipton County is still being "studied," though mainly the Division Road stuff I'm guessing. More than likely 296th Street will eventually be an overpass and 286th will become cul-de-sacs at some point. But until they get serious on making US 31 a freeway through Tipton County they'll settle on 286th being a RIRO and marking that as the official end of the freeway.

that cemetary complicates matters, it's pretty close to the road, would be tough to do anything there. (296th and 31)

But then there would be too much of a gap between overpasses.

Also, not only does the IN-38 to Kokomo segment need urgent freeway conversion, it may need to be six lanes shortly thereafter.

silverback1065

Quote from: I-39 on June 07, 2022, 03:49:43 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 07, 2022, 01:25:54 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 07, 2022, 11:01:46 AM
I'm also not a fan of 276th Street being an interchange instead of 266th Street. However, given the presence of the 236th Street interchange I would have placed exits at 266th and then 296th Streets. 266th Street has direct access to Arcadia and 296th Street has direct access to Atlanta. I'm guessing INDOT wanted to do one exit in that part of the county and not two so they settled on 276th as a compromise between the two. Plus they can serve those apparently important businesses along that road.

As for the RIRO at 286th Street, I am almost certain that will only be temporary. Everything from 296th Street north through Tipton County is still being "studied," though mainly the Division Road stuff I'm guessing. More than likely 296th Street will eventually be an overpass and 286th will become cul-de-sacs at some point. But until they get serious on making US 31 a freeway through Tipton County they'll settle on 286th being a RIRO and marking that as the official end of the freeway.

that cemetary complicates matters, it's pretty close to the road, would be tough to do anything there. (296th and 31)

But then there would be too much of a gap between overpasses.

Also, not only does the IN-38 to Kokomo segment need urgent freeway conversion, it may need to be six lanes shortly thereafter.

:hmmm: not sure about 6 lanes but freeway yes, it will eventually happen. I bet Tipton Co. will get 2 exits and everything else will be overpasses or cul de sacs.

monty

Take a short drive east of US 31 on 276th St and you'll find a newly built road all the way to IN 19. Plus Beck's Hybrids, a very large local employer has a CAMPUS located there. It is a Hamilton County master planning feature.

I agree that 286th St RIRO will likely be changed after the Tipton County segment study is determined.

Even though it's not "written"  - I wonder if the signals at Division Road will ever be turned back on. IF you read all the existing Tipton County language, INDOT states that they may put in a cable barrier and eliminate all crossing traffic and force RIRO if conditions warrant.

The SR 28 decommissioning seems to be leveraging a deal towards a full interchange at Division Road. However, the northern part of the county (Sharpsville area) are concerned about locked off the freeway with no access. Hopefully the study will shed some light and offer good solutions.

The cemetery at the Tipton - Hamilton County line is an interesting issue. The road there is worthy of an overpass. Even though there won't be a lot of new construction in Tipton County to finish the freeway, where a second interchange and overpasses are located remain a big deal.

I've been watching this project for a long time. I once reviewed a study that showed six lanes all the way to the US 31 & IN 931 split. The traffic growth through the Westfield area has been large. Westfield was the fastest growing community in the state last year at 7%. Commuting traffic goes heavy both ways between Carmel and Kokomo.
monty

ITB

Quote from: silverback1065 on June 07, 2022, 01:25:54 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 07, 2022, 11:01:46 AM
I'm also not a fan of 276th Street being an interchange instead of 266th Street. However, given the presence of the 236th Street interchange I would have placed exits at 266th and then 296th Streets. 266th Street has direct access to Arcadia and 296th Street has direct access to Atlanta. I'm guessing INDOT wanted to do one exit in that part of the county and not two so they settled on 276th as a compromise between the two. Plus they can serve those apparently important businesses along that road.

As for the RIRO at 286th Street, I am almost certain that will only be temporary. Everything from 296th Street north through Tipton County is still being "studied," though mainly the Division Road stuff I'm guessing. More than likely 296th Street will eventually be an overpass and 286th will become cul-de-sacs at some point. But until they get serious on making US 31 a freeway through Tipton County they'll settle on 286th being a RIRO and marking that as the official end of the freeway.

that cemetary complicates matters, it's pretty close to the road, would be tough to do anything there. (296th and 31)

Probably the easiest solution to building an interchange would be to simply shift 296th to the north, similar to how Southport Road was slightly relocated north to facilitate the future I-69 interchange.

silverback1065

Quote from: monty on June 07, 2022, 08:23:05 PM
Take a short drive east of US 31 on 276th St and you'll find a newly built road all the way to IN 19. Plus Beck's Hybrids, a very large local employer has a CAMPUS located there. It is a Hamilton County master planning feature.

I agree that 286th St RIRO will likely be changed after the Tipton County segment study is determined.

Even though it's not "written"  - I wonder if the signals at Division Road will ever be turned back on. IF you read all the existing Tipton County language, INDOT states that they may put in a cable barrier and eliminate all crossing traffic and force RIRO if conditions warrant.

The SR 28 decommissioning seems to be leveraging a deal towards a full interchange at Division Road. However, the northern part of the county (Sharpsville area) are concerned about locked off the freeway with no access. Hopefully the study will shed some light and offer good solutions.

The cemetery at the Tipton - Hamilton County line is an interesting issue. The road there is worthy of an overpass. Even though there won't be a lot of new construction in Tipton County to finish the freeway, where a second interchange and overpasses are located remain a big deal.

I've been watching this project for a long time. I once reviewed a study that showed six lanes all the way to the US 31 & IN 931 split. The traffic growth through the Westfield area has been large. Westfield was the fastest growing community in the state last year at 7%. Commuting traffic goes heavy both ways between Carmel and Kokomo.

the signal at division is off?  :hmmm:

monty

The signal at Division Road is out for about the next two years due to the nearby construction activity of building the bridge over the NS RR. That project moves the southbound lanes to the west (new terrain) and the northbound lanes onto the former southbound lanes. The old northbound lanes will become a frontage road north of the tracks. Division Road is currently in RIRO with no crossing traffic.
monty

I-55

#497
Quote from: monty on June 03, 2022, 09:33:39 PM
Work set to begin on 276th St interchange on June 6:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/bulletins/31aaad4?fbclid=IwAR2LjPtKikEg4_loYU5j03cyFnb4U0DjjvsbPM0zWNIdza24ibOfqICpJc4&fs=e&s=cl
Looks to be complete by Thanksgiving.

Having driven through today I find it hard to believe this project started just five days ago. Already the center bridge support is in and earthwork is extensive. I would've guessed this was ongoing for over a month or two if it weren't for this.

(EDIT): I might be confusing this with 236th street. But if it's supposed to be done in August it's possible.

Quote from: I-39 on June 07, 2022, 03:49:43 PM
...
Also, not only does the IN-38 to Kokomo segment need urgent freeway conversion, it may need to be six lanes shortly thereafter.

Quote from: monty on June 07, 2022, 08:23:05 PM
I've been watching this project for a long time. I once reviewed a study that showed six lanes all the way to the US 31 & IN 931 split. The traffic growth through the Westfield area has been large. Westfield was the fastest growing community in the state last year at 7%. Commuting traffic goes heavy both ways between Carmel and Kokomo.

Currently AADT from MM 136 and MM 156 is 30k. Considering the changes I've seen in Westfield since my last visit (brother plays multiple travel baseball tournaments at Grand Park each year) it's clear Westfield will grow more and grow rapidly (and Kokomo will probably grow faster with Grand Park opening a satellite location (Championship Park)). Grand Park was without a doubt the main stimulus for Westfield's growth, and the city has already made back the $50 million they invested in the facility (and I hear they're looking to sell). I imagine they'll start another project of some sort in the next few years which will likely invite more growth. Based off population growth, I certainly think this will need 6 lanes in ~10 years at most.

I also wouldn't be surprised if when the freeway is completed Kokomo begs INDOT for an interstate designation (assuming RIROs are all removed, etc.) (probably wouldn't be I-67, more likely an x65). This would at least allow the freeway to be posted at 70 mph.
Let's Go Purdue Basketball Whoosh

monty

Add that Kokomo has been chosen by Stellantis to be their North American EV battery manufacturer. 1400 jobs and $2.5 Billion investment. https://fox59.com/indiana-news/stellantis-samsung-electric-car-battery-plant-to-bring-1400-jobs-to-kokomo/amp/
monty

I-39

Quote from: I-55 on June 11, 2022, 06:46:09 PMI also wouldn't be surprised if when the freeway is completed Kokomo begs INDOT for an interstate designation (assuming RIROs are all removed, etc.) (probably wouldn't be I-67, more likely an x65). This would at least allow the freeway to be posted at 70 mph.

I doubt InDOT would do an Interstate designation until the whole corridor to South Bend is freeway.



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