Submitted February 2008
I represent a group/organization and have questions regarding the project. Can the US 31 project team speak to my group?
Yes. The US 31 project team is happy to meet with or speak to any group/organization at any time. Please feel free to contact Erin Pipkin or Rickie Clark for more information.
What is driving the construction timeline?
There are four components driving the construction timeline:
1) Engineering for peat deposits - The engineer’s report and the original environmental document (FEIS) for this project stated that the most prudent place to start construction was in the areas of peat to allow the soil sufficient time for settlement prior to placing pavement on that ground.
2) Environmental permitting - The environmental permits from state and federal agencies require a feasible plan for mitigation of wetland impacts prior to major construction. The permitting process can take approximately one year from the time it begins. To begin the permit process for the entire corridor, it was necessary to coordinate with the resource agencies on a suitable site for the wetland mitigation. That site has been purchased and the permit process will begin by Feb. 2008. In the interim, we have found a few likely sites for construction where the environmental impacts are relatively minimal.
3) Right of way acquisition - The right of way acquisition process is the single most significant factor driving the construction phasing of the project. This process has the longest timeline in the project. If relocation is required, an even longer timeline may be expected due to required settlement in the legal system. (For details about the right of way acquisition please click here.)
4) Funding - The Major Moves program is allowing unprecedented funding for many of Indiana’s most needed projects. To realize all of these projects while maximizing the Federal and Toll Road Lease proceeds, the projects are funded in specific years with specific dollar amounts. The US 31 project is funded in the 2009-2013 fiscal years.
How is this project going to affect me during construction and after completion?
Traffic patterns will be changed temporarily during construction and, in some cases, after construction is completed. Each contract will have unique impacts during construction. For information regarding permanent road closures and over/underpasses along the corridor, view this PDF: 
BridgeFactSheet.pdf
How will people between Kern and Roosevelt get into the city?
That depends on the destination and/or preferred route; going to the new Kern Road interchange and heading north is one option that should provide the quickest access to Ireland Road, but it is possible that motorists will choose to use the existing Kern Road connection between US 31 and Miami Road.
What will be done to improve local streets affected by this?
INDOT’s scope of construction was outlined in the US 31 ROD; there will be a few new connections across US 20/US 31 to facilitate local connectivity and emergency services access to the neighborhoods located directly south of US 20. Those connections are at Scott, Fellows and Jackson. In other areas, as can be seen in the ROD, there will be minor re-alignment of existing local streets such as Main street north of Kern Road or at the west end of the new Johnson Road overpass at the existing grade.
The project team is keeping local officials informed of all construction plans to better facilitate their local improvement plans’ preparation for this project.
What is the timeline for the Jackson, Johnson, Scott and Fellows bridges?
The timeline has not been set, but the construction of these bridges will most likely precede the construction of mainline US 31, in order have them open prior to construction of mainline US 31 between Kern Road and US 20. This will facilitate maximum access for residents in the area while the mainline road is reconstructed.
Are there alternate traffic route plans during construction; if so, what are they?
Maintenance of traffic plans are developed during the last stage of the design process. The current plan calls for the new overpasses at Scott, Fellows, Jackson and Johnson to be constructed and open to traffic prior to beginning the construction of US 31 north of Kern Road. When we enter that phase of the project, those will be communicated to motorists and residents in the area, as well as emergency responders.
Who will coordinate access during construction – the state, county, township or city? Are all the players on the same page?
INDOT will coordinate all of the projects identified in the ROD. While outside of INDOT’s scope of work on this project, if there are projects that will be undertaken by local municipalities in the area, the project team will work with the responsible agency to ensure efficient and accurate preparation, as requested.
Submitted August 2007
Why is this project needed?
The Indiana General Assembly directed the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to study the transportation corridor between Indianapolis and South Bend. Currently, INDOT is developing three sections of this corridor, including the upgrade of US 31 in Hamilton County, Howard County, and Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
Based on traffic counts from 2000, significant congestion exists along US 31 through La Paz and from Lakeville to the US 20 Bypass. The Level of Service (LOS) – the level at which a roadway allows the flow of vehicles – falls below “C” for rural areas and “D” for urban areas. (LOS is rated by grades, with A representing the least amount of congestion and F representing the most. LOS C and D are the lowest accepted levels for rural and urban environments, respectively.) In addition, three of four signalized intersections and three of six non-signalized intersections operate at an unacceptable LOS. By 2030, without the proposed improvements, nearly all intersections would operate at an unacceptable LOS.
Further, upgrading US 31 to freeway standards will greatly improve the safety of the corridor – reducing the number of crashes and rear-end collisions caused through turning movements and increased traffic – especially between Lakeville and South Bend.
What will the speed limit be?
The facility is being designed per federal and INDOT standards. Specific speed limits will be determined closer to construction.
How will this affect wetlands?
The selected alternative has the lowest environmental impacts to wetlands and forests. Wetland mitigation is estimated to be approximately 110 acres. Wetland mitigation ratios range from 2:1 to 4:1 depending on the type of wetland impacted, and will be determined at the final design and permitting stage.
How much will noise levels along the new route increase? What will be done to mitigate that?
Noise levels in the general area are predicted to range from the low 60 decibel range to as much as 72 decibels. Preliminary analysis recommends noise barriers along the northern portion of the corridor, which is expected to decrease the impact by 5 to 12 decibels. A detailed assessment about noise barrier walls will be conducted during the final design phase of the project.
What is the predicted economic impact on small towns such as Lakeville and La Paz?
A business needs survey was sent to local businesses that were potentially affected by the project. According to those surveys, 65 percent would relocate their businesses as close as possible to their exiting site, 15 percent would relocate away from the immediate area, 12 percent would terminate their business and 8 percent were unsure of their course of action. In addition to the 80 percent who would remain open, investing in infrastructure regularly increases the amount of businesses investing in an area.
What happens if someone won’t sell his/her property? Can they stop the project?
While we hope this situation will not arise, statutes allow for legal remedies to keep this project moving forward. So, while they may slightly slow the process, they cannot stop the project itself.
If the alternate route bridges mentioned above are going to be in place prior to construction start of phase four, then what is the timeline for communicating with the people affected by those changes?
Communication will be an ongoing process throughout the project development. Specific information for that area will not be known until 2011-2012.
What will be the emergency routes for police, fire and health equipment?
The project team meeting regularly with emergency responders to plan for access during construction. Specific emergency routes will not be determined until closer to construction.
Why can't you just follow the existing route and upgrade it?
A full range of freeway alternatives, including the No-Build Alternative, was investigated as part of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The freeway alternative is the only alternative that met the purpose and need of the project – reduce congestion, improve safety and align with state and local transportation plans.
Why don’t we use this money to develop another form of transit, like rail?
Mass transit alternatives were studied as part of the EIS. The research revealed that motorists were not starting from and ending at concentrated common areas and that there would not be enough riders to pay for the transit operating costs. Further, it was found that the only alternative that met the purpose and need of the project – reduce congestion, improve safety and align with state and local transportation plans – was the freeway alternative.
Will children be on the school bus longer?
INDOT will work closely with local transportation planners to identify roads affected or potentially blocked by the new corridor. There is a chance that some bus routes will take longer, but INDOT will work with local officials to keep these impacts to a minimum.
How will hazardous material sites be affected by the new route?
INDOT conducts reviews of properties affected by highway projects to determine whether hazardous or regulated materials are present that could affect the project. Standard procedures are put in place to protect public health and worker safety. Any contaminated materials that must be removed from the site will be managed in consultation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and disposed of appropriately at a licensed facility.
What attention will be given to historical landmarks?
Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and the South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission both submitted lists of properties of concern to those organizations. All properties on both lists were fully evaluated for potential listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the selected alternative minimized impacts to those parcels. INDOT will continue to work with preservation groups as design is finalized and construction begins.
