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.
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.
What is the time line for each stretch/phase?
This 20-mile corridor will be divided into smaller segments for design and construction. Construction on two overpasses – Lilac Road and Plymouth-Goshen Trail – is expected to begin early in fiscal year 2009. Construction of the mainline may begin as early as 2009, with completion of the final segment tentatively scheduled for 2015.
What is the time line for the entire north stretch of US 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend?
INDOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan includes projects 25 years in the future. The US 31 segments through Hamilton County, Howard County (Kokomo), and Marshall and St. Joseph counties will be completed during this time period. Other segments will be determined as the Long Range Plan is updated.
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.
How will the money for the upgrades be funded?
Projects such as this are funded through federal and state transportation dollars.
How much safer will this project make the route? Will fewer accidents occur?
The accident rate for a freeway is lower than that for a non-freeway facility, such as the existing US 31 corridor. By diverting traffic onto the new US 31 freeway, there will be a decline in the number of crashes in the corridor.
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.
Where will interchanges be? Which county roads will have over/underpasses?
INDOT worked with Marshall and St. Joseph county officials to determine the best locations for overpasses and interchanges. Currently, interchanges will be located at Pierce Road/S.R. 4, Kern Road, U.S. 6 and 7th Road (when 7th Road is extended east to Linden). Over/underpasses will be located at the existing US 31 intersection, Roosevelt Road, Kenilworth Road, Linden Road, Lake Trail, Miller Road, Johnson Road, New Road, Plymouth-Goshen Trail, Lilac Road/West 6th, West 4A, West 3A, East 1st and Tyler Road.
Are a lot of the existing roads going to become dead-ends when the freeway is built?
Bridges will be constructed to allow the free flow of traffic over or under the new US 31 alignment for many existing roadways. For all other roadways, they will be reconstructed as cul-de-sacs or relocated.
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 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.
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.
Will emergency responders be able to appropriately and timely respond to all sections of the route?
Throughout the study, design and construction, INDOT will work closely with local emergency responders to ensure a local access plan is in place to accommodate emergency vehicles.
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.
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.
What accommodations will be made for bicyclists, pedestrians or mass transit alternatives?
Bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from traveling on limited access roadways; however, shoulders on both sides of roads intersecting the freeway will be wide enough to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access.
How will you compensate farmers whose land is divided? Will they have access? Is there monetary compensation for farm land bought and the future value of crops?
The design will determine whether access could be provided to a landlocked parcel or whether the landlocked parcel should be purchased by the state. The appraisal will consider whether there is a loss in value to the two tracts that were separated. According to state and federal guidelines, property owners are only reimbursed for property purchased and damages to the resident, not potential income that could be derived from that parcel.
How is "fair market value" calculated? Are homeowners going to be compensated for only their property, or also the cost of moving and taking time off work?
All property acquired by INDOT follows the guidelines of the Uniform Act and appraisal industry requirements (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice). Government programs designed to benefit the public as a whole often result in acquisition of private property, which prompted the passage of the Uniform Act in 1971.
“Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970” contains important protections and assistance for people affected by federally funded projects. This law ensures that people whose real property is acquired, or who move as a result of projects receiving federal funds, will be treated fairly and equitably and will receive assistance in moving from the property they occupy.
Homeowners are compensated for the cost of moving, but not for time taken off work to relocate.
How will we be compensated if you don't purchase our land, but our property values decrease?
INDOT complies with the Uniform Act when purchasing right of way for its projects. There is no compensation unless the property is located within the right of way or reasonable access to the property cannot be maintained. Damages are paid only for a property if the proposed right of way takes a portion of the property, causing that parcel to lose value. Those property owners who did not have all or a portion of their parcels purchased will not receive compensation.
When will the state notify homeowners if it's taking their property?
Final decisions on land acquisition will be made during the final design period. Surveyors are currently assessing land now; and then appraisers will analyze property. Offers might be extended as early as 2008, though the land acquisition process will precede each phase of construction by approximately 1 year. Right of way requirements may be further revised during the design phase when more detailed engineering decisions are made.
What happens to the existing US 31?
Ownership will be transferred to the local agency.
Submitted February 4, 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.
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.
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, click here.
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?
Alternate traffic route plans are developed during the design process. Once we enter that phase of the project, those will be communicated to motorists and residents in the area, as well as emergency responders.
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.
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.
