We recently posted print an article updating people on the progress of U.S. 31 construction, but due to space constraints we had to leave some details out of the print version. Here’s the complete Q&A with Nathan Riggs, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Originally, I thought the stretch from 146th South to Old Meridian would be opened by Thanksgiving, is that correct? At the very least, south to 136th should be done.
The section of U.S. 31 currently closed between Old Meridian (south junction) and 136th Street is still on schedule to open around Thanksgiving of this year. Construction on the Carmel contract between the I-465 interchange area and the Monon overpass will continue and is anticipated to be open to traffic by the end of 2015.
Did the bridge across 31 at Main Street open yet? When was that? Is this the first time drivers could cross 31 in some time?
The new Main Street bridge over U.S. 31 opened to traffic (according to my records) on Friday, Sept. 12. It is not in its final configuration. The ramps and additional lanes at the roundabout interchange will not open until after U.S. 31 opens to traffic. Westbound traffic should be shifted to the north side of the bridge before the end of October. Access across U.S. 31 was maintained via Carmel Drive during the closure of Main Street. Now that Main Street is open to traffic, access across U.S. 31 on Carmel Drive is closed as construction of the new bridge over U.S. 31 is underway. Contractors anticipate setting beams for the Carmel Drive bridge over U.S. 31 by the end of October.
Can we expect congestion as the project progresses south to 465? And speaking of 465, what’s the status of the flyovers they are building?
Construction is already well underway on U.S. 31 south to I-465, and some congestion can be expected as construction continues. However, this area was heavily congested prior to construction. Reducing this congestion, eliminating traffic signals and improving safety are some of the key motivations behind this project. Construction of two flyover ramps is well underway at the I-465 and U.S. 31 interchange. The new flyover from southbound U.S. 31 to eastbound I-465 is visibly further along than the eastbound I-465 flyover to northbound U.S. 31, mostly because of the large beams in place. Both are expected to open to traffic before the end of next year, and the existing ramps will remain open to traffic throughout construction—with the exception of some various overnight restrictions.
Do we know how much pressure has been on Keystone and what is expected through the end of the project? Has traffic increased to the point where repairs are needed? If so, for what and how much? What would be the timeline for that?
Keystone Parkway has seen additional traffic during the closure of U.S. 31, but according to local law enforcement the freeway has served efficiently as the official detour and no serious issues have occurred with crashes or because of additional traffic.
Overall, I think our readers are looking for an updated timeline to know where everything is at with 31.
The project remains on schedule. To stay informed on progress of the project and updates on restrictions, residents and motorists should subscribe to the project e-newletter at http://us31hamiltoncounty.in.gov/e-newsletter/.
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Carmel City Engineer Jeremy Kashman also had this to say about Keystone:
While there is an increase of traffic on Keystone Parkway the roadway is functioning very well. There are backups at 96th Street in the morning time but that was to be expected. INDOT has been making modifications to the traffic signal timing and at this time it appears to be optimized as much as possible without completely disrupting 96th Street traffic. There is more traffic in the evening than in the morning time as Keystone is more advantages to travel northbound without interruption. At this point in time I do not see where large wholesale repairs will be needed on Keystone in the short term. Keystone was designed and constructed to handle the anticipated traffic. As with any roadway the Street Department will be keeping an eye out for potholes and minor repairs that may be needed.
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Rick Sharp, city councilor and possible candidate for mayor, has concerns about the status of Keystone. While he stressed that he’s not a structural engineer, he said questions need to be asked, especially since unlike U.S. 31, Carmel is on the hook for repairing Keystone.
“In the past, we’ve been told that everything is fine and we found that wasn’t the case,” he said. “So I think it’s something we need to really examine later on.”
