Drivers, here’s your chance to help the state design upcoming road projects or let officials what know needs to come on or off the list of local projects that will be paid for with some federal funds.
The Indiana Department of Transportation has a list of projects across the state planned through summer 2021 and needs to get the public’s feedback. The plan includes projects on state roads to maintain and modernize current roads and bridges and projects on city, town or county streets that will use federal funds.
State transportation officials want to know about the local needs, the impact of the planned projects on communities and if any projects aren’t on the list that need to be, said Will Wingfield, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Planners want to know about factors that motorists who drive the roads see everyday that the state may not be aware of, he said.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“This is an opportunity for us to get input on the variety of smaller projects,” Wingfield said.
One project on the list would redo the portion of State Road 44 at Interstate 65 in Franklin that is still owned by the state. The city of Franklin has taken over all of the road except about 0.15 miles underneath the interstate overpass and just west of the interstate, and the state would remove and replace the concrete.
Here’s what else is on the list in Johnson County:
Removing the median at Simon Road and U.S. 31 in Franklin that allows drivers to cross the highway.
Improving safety at U.S. 31 and Tracy Road in New Whiteland. Traffic crews recently placed backplates to make the traffic signals more visible at this intersection, but what changes to make to the intersection haven’t been decided yet.
Building a roundabout at Smith Valley Road and Madison Avenue in Greenwood.
Repairing, replacing or repaving bridges on State Road 135, State Road 37 and U.S. 31.
Building roundabouts at Arvin and Commerce drives, Eastview Drive and Hurricane Road and Eastview Drive and Upper Shelbyville Road in Franklin.
Paving 4.4 miles of County Road 144 from State Road 135 to State Road 44.
Notice a project not on the list? Your best bet is to contact the local city, town or county government that owns the road. Those governments take the first steps to get projects on the list.
The projects made it onto the list based on the condition of the pavement, condition of the bridges, safety and mobility, Wingfield said.
“With existing funding levels, most of our resources are focused on taking care of existing roads and bridges,” Wingfield said.
Any increase in gas taxes or other fees approved by state legislators would allow projects that could add travel lanes or build new roads, he said.
Bridges across the state are getting special attention as inspections and timetables show that a majority of bridges are due for maintenance and rehabilitation about the same time, Wingfield said.
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Look at the plan
Go online and look at the plan: www.in.gov/indot/3132.htm.
Johnson County projects begin on Page 110.
Have your say
Send in comments via the INDOT website: in.gov/indot/3132.htm
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Michael McNeil, INDOT STIP Director, 100 N. Senate Ave., IGCN 955, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or
Deadline: Submit or postmark by May 1
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Here’s a look at the plans on the state construction project list:
- Replacing the concrete on State Road 44 at Interstate 65 in Franklin.
- Removing the median at Simon Road and U.S. 31 in Franklin that allows drivers to cross the highway.
- Improving safety at U.S. 31 and Tracy Road in New Whiteland. Traffic crews recently placed backplates to make the traffic signals more visible at this intersection, but what changes to make to the intersection haven’t been decided yet.
- Building a roundabout at Smith Valley Road and Madison Avenue in Greenwood.
- Repairing, replacing or repaving bridges on State Road 135, State Road 37 and U.S. 31.
- Building roundabouts at Arvin and Commerce drives, Eastview Drive and Hurricane Road and Eastview Drive and Upper Shelbyville Road in Franklin.
- Paving 4.4 miles of County Road 144 from State Road 135 to State Road 44.
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