October 12, 2007

Public Gets First View of New Alignment, New Project Management Team

Nearly 400 people packed the Newton Center in Lakeville Aug. 16 to learn more about the project and meet the project management team. Approximately 25 members of the project management team were on hand to walk residents through the project, look at maps and talk about the land acquisition process.

At this point the design of the corridor is approximately 20 percent complete. Once design moves into the 60 percent complete range, final right of way will be identified and the land acquisition process will move forward.

This public open house is just the first of many visits the project management team will make to Marshall and St. Joseph counties. As always, if you have questions, please contact Rickie Clark, project facilitator, at rclark@indot.in.gov or 317.232.6601.

Members needed for Project Advisory Committee by Oct. 31, 2007

The U.S. 31 Plymouth to South Bend project management team is currently identifying and soliciting potential CAC (Community Advisory Committee) members. A wide range of viewpoints are sought in the selection of CAC members, so we are asking community members who are interested to apply. This allows for a comprehensive discussion of issues or concerns that enables transportation officials to gather a holistic understanding of the general community.

Members of the outreach team will facilitate the CAC meetings and will be present at each meeting to provide background information, answer questions and compile meeting minutes. The CAC will meet on an as-needed basis at various stages during the development of the project. Membership in the CAC will not exceed 18 people. While the CAC provides valuable information, the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) and the INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) will have final approval on design recommendations.

If you are interested in serving on the CAC, please fill out the form at www.us31plysb.com or call 317.631.6400 and ask for Erin Pipkin.

Speakers Available for Community Meetings

If your small group or organization would like a brief presentation or Q&A session about the U.S. 31 Plymouth to South Bend project, please contact the project facilitator, Rickie Clark, at rclark@indot.in.gov or call 317.232.6601.

While availability is somewhat restricted, all efforts will be made to work around your schedule.

About the Project

Final design is underway for the upgrade and realignment of U.S. 31 from U.S. 30 in Plymouth to the U.S. 20 bypass in South Bend. Approximately 15 miles of the 20-mile corridor will be built on new terrain east of the existing route. Construction will begin in 2008, and is expected to continue through 2015.

To goal of the project is to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility along the route. This project is part of the larger Major Moves initiative to upgrade the route to freeway standards from Indianapolis to South Bend.

For more information, visit www.us31plysb.com