Governor Daniels Breaks Ground on New US 31 Plymouth to South Bend
Approximately 175 people watched Sept. 17 as Gov. Mitch Daniels, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) officials, Indiana Representative Jackie Walorski and representatives from the US 31 Coalition broke ground on the first contract for the New US 31 from Plymouth to South Bend.
The event took place on the property of Todd and Deanna Galloway, who live in Lakeville and support the project. Approximately seven acres of the Galloway’s property was acquired as part of the first contract.
“This project has been decades in the making and today it becomes a reality,” Gov. Daniels said. “I’m confident this new freeway will provide an economic boon and better access for Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.”
Approximately 15 miles of the 20-mile corridor of US 31 are being constructed on new terrain. Once complete, US 31 will be a freeway between Plymouth and South Bend, with access only at interchanges. Construction on the entire corridor is expected to be complete in 2015.
Primco, Inc. is first contractor to begin the groundwork
Primco, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded the first contract for soil mitigation and grading between U.S. Route 6 and State Road 4. Primco’s bid was approximately $24.4 million.
In addition to the soil work, crews will be working feverishly to relocate utilities located in the path of the new roadway. This will affect various local roadways (see below).
In addition to the grading contract, INDOT awarded the contract to build the Lilac Road bridge over the New US 31 to Phend and Brown, Inc. of Milford, Ind., for nearly $4 million. Work on that project has already begun and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.
Be Aware of Upcoming Road Closures
While the New US 31 is being constructed on new terrain and will not affect traffic on existing US 31, it will impact various local roads. Local traffic will have access right up to the point of the closures.
• Quinn Road – About 500 feet east of Kenilworth Road
• Rockstroh Road – From Heston Ditch to Kenilworth Road
• Kenilworth Road – From .5 mile south of Lake Trail to Rockstroh Road
• Tyler Road – At Lilac Road
• Lilac – Approximately .5 miles south of Tyler Road
• Linden Road – Approximately 750 feet north of Tyler Road
East 1st Road and Lake Trail will remain open during this construction.
Upcoming contracts
The following contracts are scheduled to be awarded during Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09) FY 09 began July 1, 2008, and ends June 30, 2009.
Fall 08 - Grading between SR 4 and US 6 Lilac Road over the New US 31 Plymouth-Goshen Trail over the New US 31
Spring 09 – Lilac/Tyler over the New US 31
Kenilworth Road over the New US 31
New Road over the New US 31
Miller Road over the New US 31
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