US 31 Hamilton County, Indiana

[mgk920]

Enhanced mile markers in Indiana (and other states) are normally blue. These signs go in the medians of major freeways in the Indianapolis area (interstates and the new US 31.) There are posts about these signs elsewhere on the forum, but I'll just say that this is normal, regardless of the accuracy of the numbers.

I believe blue is still an allowable variant in the MUTCD for signs that include the route shield ("enhanced,") because at that point I guess they're providing a service somehow but that makes no sense?

That's what WisDOT is using.

Mike

[mukade]

And Ohio. Kentucky also is (or least used to).

[mukade]

Just trying to keep score here now:

-Milemarkers at SR 38, based on old routing of US 31 through Indy: PROBABLY WRONG
-Exit numbers at SR 38 and throughout Hamilton County US 31 corridor, based on new routing around Indy: PROBABLY RIGHT
-SR 22 exit number near Kokomo: DOES NOT MAKE SENSE

The SR 22 exit number is 9 miles off - same as the enhanced reference location signs at SR 38.

[silverback1065]

Just trying to keep score here now:

-Milemarkers at SR 38, based on old routing of US 31 through Indy: PROBABLY WRONG
-Exit numbers at SR 38 and throughout Hamilton County US 31 corridor, based on new routing around Indy: PROBABLY RIGHT
-SR 22 exit number near Kokomo: DOES NOT MAKE SENSE

The SR 22 exit number is 9 miles off - same as the enhanced reference location signs at SR 38.

Could be another rerouting you never know with INDOT.

[Henry]

Enhanced mile markers in Indiana (and other states) are normally blue. These signs go in the medians of major freeways in the Indianapolis area (interstates and the new US 31.) There are posts about these signs elsewhere on the forum, but I'll just say that this is normal, regardless of the accuracy of the numbers.

I think I may have found a link here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4046.0

[mukade]

The apparent bid results for the US 31 upgrade in Hamiltion County show a partnership of Walsh Construction and Milestone Contractors submitting the low bid at around $299M. As the engineer's estimate is blacked out, I guess that is over estimate.

[mukade]

All bids were rejected so that big US 31 upgrade project will have to wait for some period.

US 31 official bid results

[silverback1065]

All bids were rejected so that big US 31 upgrade project will have to wait for some period.

US 31 official bid results

Wait what?! So does this mean that it won't be built at all now? I thought it was completely funded.

[mukade]

It means it will be re-bid. The same thing happened with an I-69 contract where new bids will be accepted today at a special letting. I think rejected bids mean that no bids were within 10% of the engineer's estimate.

It does push things back two or three months.

[mukade]

US 31 northbound lanes at 146th Street opened today.



A lot more demolition is happening in preparation for next year's construction. Wendy's, Goodwill, and the motel by SR 32 have all been leveled.

[mukade]

Because bids for the entire section exceeded the estimate, it looks like it will be spread out over four contracts.

Proposed new US 31 Hamilton County contracts schedule from INDOT

[NWI_Irish96]

http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=1%2F1%2F2013&todate=1%2F31%2F2013&display=Month&type=public&eventidn=61559&view=EventDetails&information_id=124191

Contract Awarded for Next Phase of U.S. 31 Hamilton Co.

WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has awarded a $58.4 million contract for the new U.S. 31 Hamilton County between 146th Street and 169th Street, including new freeway exits at 146th, 151st and 161st Streets. The bid submitted by Rieth-Riley Construction of Goshen was the lowest among five contractors and nearly $5 million below engineers' cost estimates.

As soon as weather permits, Rieth-Riley is expected to begin work rebuilding U.S. 31 from 146th Street to just south of 169th Street. New ramps will connect 146th Street to the north with Greyhound Pass and 151st Street with a "split-diamond"  interchange. A new freeway exit at 161st Street will have roundabouts controlling ramp and cross traffic. Local traffic on Union Street and 156th Street will pass under U.S. 31 with no on or off ramps.

U.S. 31 will remain two lanes in each direction during peak times with traffic shifts and temporary intersection closures, helping to expedite construction while maintaining as much access as possible. Temporary closures at Greyhound Pass, 151st Street and 161st Street will be necessary, but the closures will be scheduled sequentially to minimize inconvenience to residents, businesses and motorists.

[ShawnP]

Anyone care to guess after South Bend/Plymouth, Kokomo and Hamilton County projects are finished how much it would cost to upgrade the remaining portions of US-31 to Interstate standards?

[NWI_Irish96]

Tipton, Miami, and Fulton counties all have a lot of homes with direct access to 31.  Some kind of access road would have to be built.  I'd rather see the money go to making I-65 6 lanes all the way through the state before doing the rest of US 31.

[ShawnP]

I can I-65 at six lanes through out the state. Kentucky will be finished with their six lanes through out the state by 2020 if not earlier. I-65 as you know has many incidents of backing up for miles north of Louisville due to accidents.

[mobilene]

Bummer. I used to eat lunch at that Wendy's all the time.

[monty]

Anyone care to guess after South Bend/Plymouth, Kokomo and Hamilton County projects are finished how much it would cost to upgrade the remaining portions of US-31 to Interstate standards?

The goal is to build an interstate standard freeway from Indy to South Bend.  The remaining portions between SR 38 and Northern Tipton County (Kokomo project) and from US 35 (Kokomo) to Plymouth won't be nearly as expensive as the other projects under cosntruction because they will stay in the same footprint and are primary rural.  Figure a rural road overpass roughly every three miles, one railroad overpass, and three standard diamond interchanges for the Rural Hamilton - Tipton County piece.  There are some homes that will require either demolition or frontage roads that will also need to be figured in.

[silverback1065]

Anyone care to guess after South Bend/Plymouth, Kokomo and Hamilton County projects are finished how much it would cost to upgrade the remaining portions of US-31 to Interstate standards?

The goal is to build an interstate standard freeway from Indy to South Bend.  The remaining portions between SR 38 and Northern Tipton County (Kokomo project) and from US 35 (Kokomo) to Plymouth won't be nearly as expensive as the other projects under cosntruction because they will stay in the same footprint and are primary rural.  Figure a rural road overpass roughly every three miles, one railroad overpass, and three standard diamond interchanges for the Rural Hamilton - Tipton County piece.  There are some homes that will require either demolition or frontage roads that will also need to be figured in.

I wouldn't count on this happening for a long time, the state is obsessed with getting 69 finished, and that will take a lot of money to do. 

[Alps]

Bummer. I used to eat lunch at that Wendy's all the time.

I just did a spit-take. Nope, can never find another Wendy's like that one.

[mobilene]

Bummer. I used to eat lunch at that Wendy's all the time.

I just did a spit-take. Nope, can never find another Wendy's like that one.

Well, sure. But I have to drive *five whole minutes farther* to the next one!!!!!!11!  :-)

[monty]

Anyone care to guess after South Bend/Plymouth, Kokomo and Hamilton County projects are finished how much it would cost to upgrade the remaining portions of US-31 to Interstate standards?

The goal is to build an interstate standard freeway from Indy to South Bend.  The remaining portions between SR 38 and Northern Tipton County (Kokomo project) and from US 35 (Kokomo) to Plymouth won't be nearly as expensive as the other projects under cosntruction because they will stay in the same footprint and are primary rural.  Figure a rural road overpass roughly every three miles, one railroad overpass, and three standard diamond interchanges for the Rural Hamilton - Tipton County piece.  There are some homes that will require either demolition or frontage roads that will also need to be figured in.

I wouldn't count on this happening for a long time, the state is obsessed with getting 69 finished, and that will take a lot of money to do. 

Today, Governor Pence committed to improving the entire US 31 Corridor from Indianapolis to South Bend to an interstate standard, along with the completion of the new I 69 corridor and the Ohio River Bridges.  Yes, funding is an issue, but he has charged INDOT to keep the projects going "to completion."

[theline]

Today, Governor Pence committed to improving the entire US 31 Corridor from Indianapolis to South Bend to an interstate standard, along with the completion of the new I 69 corridor and the Ohio River Bridges.  Yes, funding is an issue, but he has charged INDOT to keep the projects going "to completion."

Good for Gov. Pence! We know it's a long way from a politician's promise to reality, but we can be sure that nothing will be done unless someone is willing to support the cause.

Where did the info come from?

[monty]

Today, Governor Pence committed to improving the entire US 31 Corridor from Indianapolis to South Bend to an interstate standard, along with the completion of the new I 69 corridor and the Ohio River Bridges.  Yes, funding is an issue, but he has charged INDOT to keep the projects going "to completion."

Good for Gov. Pence! We know it's a long way from a politician's promise to reality, but we can be sure that nothing will be done unless someone is willing to support the cause.

Where did the info come from?

I agree.  No one said it will be an easy task.  I think we will hear more about how these projects will be funded in the near future.  Source is from today's US 31 Coalition Luncheon in Indianapolis.  It was a good day for US 31 advocates.

[silverback1065]

Today, Governor Pence committed to improving the entire US 31 Corridor from Indianapolis to South Bend to an interstate standard, along with the completion of the new I 69 corridor and the Ohio River Bridges.  Yes, funding is an issue, but he has charged INDOT to keep the projects going "to completion."

Good for Gov. Pence! We know it's a long way from a politician's promise to reality, but we can be sure that nothing will be done unless someone is willing to support the cause.

Where did the info come from?

I agree.  No one said it will be an easy task.  I think we will hear more about how these projects will be funded in the near future.  Source is from today's US 31 Coalition Luncheon in Indianapolis.  It was a good day for US 31 advocates.

I'll believe it when I see it

[mukade]

Today, Governor Pence committed to improving the entire US 31 Corridor from Indianapolis to South Bend to an interstate standard, along with the completion of the new I 69 corridor and the Ohio River Bridges.  Yes, funding is an issue, but he has charged INDOT to keep the projects going "to completion."

Good for Gov. Pence! We know it's a long way from a politician's promise to reality, but we can be sure that nothing will be done unless someone is willing to support the cause.

Where did the info come from?

I agree.  No one said it will be an easy task.  I think we will hear more about how these projects will be funded in the near future.  Source is from today's US 31 Coalition Luncheon in Indianapolis.  It was a good day for US 31 advocates.

Can you provide a URL?