I think it's time for a thread about finishing the US 31 freeway between Indianapolis and South Bend. The subject has been discussed in passing in the threads for the Plymouth-to-South Bend, Kokomo, and Hamilton County projects, but that subject is out of the scope of those. Although completion of the rest of the route won't happen anytime soon, there seems to be significant sentiment for finishing the job.
The South Bend Tribune ran a interesting recap of what's been done and what is yet to come: http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/business/even-faster-on-u-s/article_5b19daf2-47d8-5ae4-b39c-310c8d3f9dc6.html (http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/business/even-faster-on-u-s/article_5b19daf2-47d8-5ae4-b39c-310c8d3f9dc6.html)
Quote"People are excited about the improvements that have been made so far. Those three pieces help an awful lot, and we're really grateful to the state for making it a priority," said Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce. "We just want to get to the finish line."
Rea is also the former mayor of nearby Mishawaka.
The story provides (presumably official) stats regarding the obstacles eliminated thus far, and those yet to go:
Quote
The three improved segments of U.S. 31 cover 46 miles of the roughly 125 miles between Interstate 465 in Indianapolis and U.S. 20 in South Bend. The changes also have eliminated 31 stoplights, 123 intersections, 668 driveways and two rail crossings from the route, according to the U.S. 31 Coalition, a group formed in 1990 to advocate for the highway upgrades.
But there are still seven stoplights, 105 intersections, 256 driveways and two rail crossings remaining.
. . .
Ken Cubberley, president of Keystone Logistics in South Bend, said the improvements so far have made a difference. For example, they've knocked about 15 minutes off a truck driver's trip from South Bend to Indianapolis.
"When you're looking at drivers' logs, and time is vital to them, it adds that much more available time to their ability to do their job," Cubberley said. There would be more time savings with further upgrades, he said, commenting, "It's long overdue."
The time saved by driving on a highway with limited access points is one factor, but safety is another.
. . .
INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield said the state is committed to making the full distance of U.S. 31 a nonstop highway, and officials are identifying projects along the road that fit into the agency's existing budget.
. . .
State Sen. Joe Zakas, R-Granger, has introduced a bill in this year's General Assembly that could help set the stage for those upgrades. The legislation would require INDOT to perform the necessary studies, such as environmental impact statements, and determine additional rights of way that would be needed to make projects "shovel ready" when funding becomes available.
. . .
[Dennis] Falkenberg [executive director of the U.S. 31 Coalition] said cost estimates for upgrading the rest of U.S. 31 range between $800 million and $900 million. He acknowledged that the state has a long list of infrastructure needs, and INDOT has limited budgets. He said state lawmakers are looking at potential alternatives for funding road projects.
This still seems like such a waste to me.
In short, for those of us who live in the US 31 corridor, the conversion to an interstate standard is both an economic development and safety directive. It's a strategic corridor connecting several major Indiana cities (Indy, Carmel, Westfield, Kokomo, Plymouth, South Bend, and Elkhart) with the added bonus of a lot of north - south Michigan - Kentucky traffic.
I would have the same opinion if this was being done to the US 25E corridor between Corbin, Ky. and Morristown, Tenn.; or US 23 between Columbus, Ohio and Kingsport, Tenn.
I don't know whether or not it's a waste, but given the potential cost, maybe INDOT can go after the low-hanging fruit first - overpassing the two rail crossings would probably bring the biggest immediate benefit. Seven stoplights are all that's left? Wow ... I really wouldn't complain there.
They really need to fix the gap in between Kokomo and Westfield. At least remove the light at 236th, with all of this new development going on in Westfield, it will be great to do it will it isn't a problem. The other gaps can be ignored for a long time, though it would be nice to get rid of that light just north of US 24.
Is this to become an Interstate highway eventually?
Gotta love how Indiana and Wisconsin upgrades their major highway corridors to full freeways while Illinois constantly builds watered down expressways to deal with theirs.
Unless we get another Major Moves kind of deal that can pay for upgrading the whole stretch to a freeway we are probably a long way from having it become a complete interstate. Doing bits and pieces of it at a time is probably the best way to go. Also to consider, the interchange at US 31 and the bypass (US 20) in South Bend. That loop ramp for northbound 31 will surly have to go away for any discussion of the highway becoming an interstate.
Quote from: adamlanfort on January 20, 2015, 04:55:58 PM
Is this to become an Interstate highway eventually?
Gotta love how Indiana and Wisconsin upgrades their major highway corridors to full freeways while Illinois constantly builds watered down expressways to deal with theirs.
Yes, it will be I-67.
Quote from: tdindy88 on January 20, 2015, 05:34:38 PM
Unless we get another Major Moves kind of deal that can pay for upgrading the whole stretch to a freeway we are probably a long way from having it become a complete interstate. Doing bits and pieces of it at a time is probably the best way to go. Also to consider, the interchange at US 31 and the bypass (US 20) in South Bend. That loop ramp for northbound 31 will surly have to go away for any discussion of the highway becoming an interstate.
That loop ramp has to go it is an awkward movement.
In the original concept of the US 31/US 20 interchange on the south side of South Bend, the PDF showed both the NB/WB and WB/SB loops being replaced by flyovers. That was apparently nixed as a cost-saver. It may be revived at some point.
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 21, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
As someone who lives in South Bend and rarely needs to travel 65 or 70, I'd still agree that 6-laning those roads should have higher priority than the US 31 freeway project. When I'm king, we'll have money for all.
I personally feel the first priority would be to finish the SR 38 to Kokomo segment. More traffic. More driveway cuts. More growth north from Indy. It's also a much older design compared to north of Kokomo. That segment was built to better standards with wider ROW and extremely fewer access points to deal with.
iPhone
Quote
he Indiana Department of Transportation Wednesday night unveiled its proposal for a revamped interchange at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Indiana 28. The proposed $15 million project, which calls for an overpass and a pair of roundabouts...
INDOT unveils plans for revamped U.S. 31, Ind. 28 intersection (http://www.kokomotribune.com/news/indot-unveils-plans-for-revamped-u-s-ind-intersection/article_7da782a2-b2d1-11e4-a6f2-1f584470785e.html) (Kokomo Tribune)
Quote from: mukade on February 12, 2015, 09:02:13 PM
Quote
he Indiana Department of Transportation Wednesday night unveiled its proposal for a revamped interchange at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Indiana 28. The proposed $15 million project, which calls for an overpass and a pair of roundabouts...
INDOT unveils plans for revamped U.S. 31, Ind. 28 intersection (http://www.kokomotribune.com/news/indot-unveils-plans-for-revamped-u-s-ind-intersection/article_7da782a2-b2d1-11e4-a6f2-1f584470785e.html) (Kokomo Tribune)
Like the design, hopefully division road is next
Pardon my ignorance, but why exactly is this project necessary? Is it just to provide an eventual direct Interstate route between South Bend and Indianapolis?
Or is the existing U.S 31 highway not adequate?
Quote from: mukade on February 12, 2015, 09:02:13 PM
Quote
he Indiana Department of Transportation Wednesday night unveiled its proposal for a revamped interchange at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Indiana 28. The proposed $15 million project, which calls for an overpass and a pair of roundabouts...
INDOT unveils plans for revamped U.S. 31, Ind. 28 intersection (http://www.kokomotribune.com/news/indot-unveils-plans-for-revamped-u-s-ind-intersection/article_7da782a2-b2d1-11e4-a6f2-1f584470785e.html) (Kokomo Tribune)
The article bemoans the loss of Sherrill's Eat Here and Get Gas to the construction. So do I, if only for the loss of the name. :biggrin:
I see several features on the map marked as "detention basins." I always thought the term was
retention basin. Detention basin sounds like a place to house felons. Am I wrong?
It looks like the new exit from the plant meets the east traffic circle at a right angle. That's very odd. I'm wondering what they have in mind there.
Quote from: adamlanfort on February 13, 2015, 03:37:50 PMOr is the existing U.S 31 highway not adequate?
The latter. Note that Indiana has not sought interstate designation, nor High Priority Corridor status for the corridor. This is vegetarian bacon (which counts as anti-pork), rather than pork.
Former Gov. Daniels and current Gov. Pence committed to developing this corridor to an interstate standard. The US 31 Coalition is an organization committed to elevate this corridor to an interstate standard: http://www.us31coalition.com/. Because of state funding challenges, it's likely going to take a while to get this accomplished. The "three big projects" will be complete this year. They required a lot of real estate acquisition as the route left the former footprint. Now attention turns to the remaining "middle two rural segments" which will be less expensive to develop. INDOT is working to improve key safety and traffic hot spots on the remainder of (unimproved) US 31 and SR 28 is the next one up. The establishment of the Chrysler Tipton plant and its eventual 850 employees and added truck traffic has initiated the need for this interchange. I anticipate that INDOT will continue to pick projects on traffic movement and safety needs to continue the progression to eliminate stoplights along the route, morphing the corridor into an interstate standard over time. If a greater funding stream becomes available, the progress will likely move faster. Currently Senate Bill 31 has been introduced to accommodate this project: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/31.
Quote from: theline on January 21, 2015, 06:27:07 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 21, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
As someone who lives in South Bend and rarely needs to travel 65 or 70, I'd still agree that 6-laning those roads should have higher priority than the US 31 freeway project. When I'm king, we'll have money for all.
And then the speed limits would drop to 55 ;) It seems like every six-lane freeway in Indiana has a 55 mph speed limit.
Quote from: ftballfan on April 12, 2015, 06:47:54 PM
Quote from: theline on January 21, 2015, 06:27:07 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 21, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
As someone who lives in South Bend and rarely needs to travel 65 or 70, I'd still agree that 6-laning those roads should have higher priority than the US 31 freeway project. When I'm king, we'll have money for all.
And then the speed limits would drop to 55 ;) It seems like every six-lane freeway in Indiana has a 55 mph speed limit.
That's one of the most annoying things about Indiana highways
Quote from: ftballfan on April 12, 2015, 06:47:54 PM
Quote from: theline on January 21, 2015, 06:27:07 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 21, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
As someone who lives in South Bend and rarely needs to travel 65 or 70, I'd still agree that 6-laning those roads should have higher priority than the US 31 freeway project. When I'm king, we'll have money for all.
And then the speed limits would drop to 55 ;) It seems like every six-lane freeway in Indiana has a 55 mph speed limit.
The portion of I-65 from I-465 to Greenwood is currently 65 mph speed limit. I think some of the six-lane section of I-65 around Lebanon has a 65 mph speed limit, or maybe even 70.
Some of the 6+ lane section of I-70 west of I-465 is also either 65 or 70.
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 13, 2015, 12:40:33 PM
Quote from: ftballfan on April 12, 2015, 06:47:54 PM
Quote from: theline on January 21, 2015, 06:27:07 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 21, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on January 21, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
I live in Jeffersonville but my family lives in South Bend/Elkhart, so I make the cross-state trip several times a year.
Would converting the rest of 31 to freeway be nice and save a couple minutes? Yes.
However, six-laning 65 from Sellersburg to Franklin would save me way more time than converting 31.
I don't know how the costs would compare, but this seems like backwards priorities to me.
6 laning 70 and 65 should be a top priority
As someone who lives in South Bend and rarely needs to travel 65 or 70, I'd still agree that 6-laning those roads should have higher priority than the US 31 freeway project. When I'm king, we'll have money for all.
And then the speed limits would drop to 55 ;) It seems like every six-lane freeway in Indiana has a 55 mph speed limit.
The portion of I-65 from I-465 to Greenwood is currently 65 mph speed limit. I think some of the six-lane section of I-65 around Lebanon has a 65 mph speed limit, or maybe even 70.
Some of the 6+ lane section of I-70 west of I-465 is also either 65 or 70.
69 is also 65 north of 96th and the 6 lane portions of 65 in Lebanon are 70
Regarding the possible new SR 28 interchange, the map says the factory is owned by Chrysler. Does anyone know what (automobile) is built there? :hmmm:
Quote from: ftballfan on April 12, 2015, 06:47:54 PM
And then the speed limits would drop to 55 ;) It seems like every six-lane freeway in Indiana has a 55 mph speed limit.
I-94 has six lanes and a 70 mph speed limit (outside of construction season) from the Michigan border to somewhere near the interchange with the Toll Road.
The Toll Road also has six lanes and is posted at 70 through a good portion of Gary.
Quote from: billtm on April 13, 2015, 09:01:06 PM
Regarding the possible new SR 28 interchange, the map says the factory is owned by Chrysler. Does anyone know what (automobile) is built there? :hmmm:
It is a transmission plant
http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=E9457414349E2B7A99ECF287BEB1A11C?&id=15636&mid=18
I hope the next 2 interchanges they do after SR 28 are 236th Street and Division Rd. Division Rd could just be an overpass since it is so close to SR 28.
Quote from: ysuindy on April 14, 2015, 05:28:08 PM
Quote from: billtm on April 13, 2015, 09:01:06 PM
Regarding the possible new SR 28 interchange, the map says the factory is owned by Chrysler. Does anyone know what (automobile) is built there? :hmmm:
It is a transmission plant
http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=E9457414349E2B7A99ECF287BEB1A11C?&id=15636&mid=18
Oh... it makes that sh!tty 9-spd. for the Chrysler 200!? :banghead:
At least I can be proud Subarus are made here in Indiana.