INDOT to hold open house regarding U.S. 31 improvements

INDOT will host an open house on Thursday, February 19, for the public to learn about current plans and provide feedback on improvements that will impact nine crossings along U.S. 31 in Marshall and Fulton counties, including U.S. 31 at State Road 10 and at State Road 110. The proposed improvements are intended to reduce crash severity, improve traffic operations, and enhance long-term mobility.

The open house will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Argos High School, 500 Yearick Street, Argos, IN, 46501. The open house format allows for attendance anytime during the scheduled hours.

Proposed remedies include:

• Two interchange improvements lifting S.R. 10 over U.S. 31 and lifting S.R. 110 over U.S. 31, removing conflict points common with grade intersections
• Two new overpass bridges, lifting C.R. 700 over U.S. 31 and lifting 19th Road over U.S. 31. The bridges can accommodate Amish horse-and-buggies as well as commercial and agricultural industry vehicles
• Access control at five other crossings along U.S. 31

The preliminary preferred alternatives are intended to reduce conflict points associated with right-angle, left-turn, and rear-end crashes, and to address forecasted side-road congestion and traffic queuing that can contribute to unsafe driving conditions.

Project team members will be available at each informational station at the open house to help explain and answer questions regarding the digital and printed displays of the preliminary preferred designs and other alternatives under consideration. Materials will also explain the project history, anticipated schedule, and comparative impacts of the proposed improvements versus existing conditions.

In addition, the public can also learn about interim measures for U.S. 31 at S.R. 10 that are designed to increase safety prior to construction of the interchange. Those measures include reduced speed limits, pavement markings and a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI).

Federal and state funds are proposed to be used for construction of the projects. Therefore, an environmental document will be required. The document is currently being prepared. Materials shown to the public at the open house will be available on the INDOT website at bit.ly/MarshallFultonUS31Corridor. A public hearing will be held at a future date.