U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 Planning, Trail Funding Included in Governor’s 2021 Agenda

Gov. Holcomb outlines his 2021 Next Level Agenda in a video released last week.

Upgrades to U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 remain on the governor’s radar, as he sets his goals for the coming years. Governor Eric Holcomb presented his 2021 Next Level Agenda last week, and continuing with long-term planning for the two highways made it onto his list of infrastructure goals, “Making progress on an Indy-to-South Bend ‘cruise control’ U.S. 31 and major corridor improvements on U.S. 30.”

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ISP Releases Investigation Information from Fatal Crash Involving School Bus

Photo Source: ISP Bremen Post

Following several hours of investigation, the Indiana State Police have released additional information about the fatal accident involving an Eastern Pulaski Community School bus that occurred on U.S. 31 Wednesday morning. The collision reportedly claimed the life of a teenage boy.

At the time of the crash, the bus was occupied by 38 eighth grade students and three chaperones that were on the way to see a Christmas musical in Warsaw.  Continue reading

Eastern Pulaski Community School Bus Involved in Marshall County Crash

Marshall County Coroner John Grolich has confirmed that an accident between a semi and an Eastern Pulaski Community School Bus resulted in one fatality Wednesday morning (12/5). The collision occurred between 13th and 14th Roads on U.S. 31 near Argos.

Additionally, an injured student was airlifted and flown to a hospital in South Bend, according to a social media post shared by ISP Public Information Officer Sergeant Ted Bohner. Continue reading

Authorities Crack Down on Drug Smuggling

 
 

A recent three-day saturation patrol on U.S. 31 by six police departments in north central Indiana resulted in 30 criminal arrests on 82 different drug-related charges. Last week’s unannounced patrols were dubbed “Operation Blue Wave.” Officials say the goal was to catch and arrest people who use Indiana’s roadways to transport and distribute illegal narcotics. Continue reading

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Officially Opens U.S. 31 in Northern Indiana

Governor Mike Pence and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (far right) cut the ribbon to officially open U.S. 31 between Plymouth and South Bend
Governor Mike Pence and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (near right), the Mangus family and crews cut the ribbon to officially open U.S. 31 between Plymouth and South Bend

The grand opening of the new U.S. 31 highway between Plymouth and South Bend was held Wednesday afternoon with Governor Mike Pence and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski in attendance plus the engineers behind the project and the crews that worked on the highway.

Governor Pence said the new U.S. 31 will be a great asset to the economy of not only Northern Indiana but the whole state.

“I think it’s really incalculable,” said Pence. “When I say that roads mean jobs, I mean that having the right infrastructure creates conditions that invite more investment that will put Hoosiers to work for generations to come. The vision for what used to be called the expressway that now is the Mangus Memorial Highway is a result of decades of effort here in Indiana. I believe that it’s going to put not only Northern Indiana, but all of Indiana in a position to attract more investment, create more jobs and opportunities in addition to creating a safe and more accessible thoroughfare.”

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Pence and Walorski to Officially Open New U.S. 31

 
 

Gov. Mike Pence, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and other dignitaries will be on hand for tomorrow’s ribbon cutting and dedication of the new U.S. 31 between Plymouth and South Bend. The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. EDT on State Road 4 at the new U.S. 31 interchange. The road will be closed in that area from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. During that time traffic will not be able to enter or exit the new section of highway. Continue reading

New U.S. 31 to Open Today

US 31Expect traffic delays today as traffic shifts to the new U.S. 31 between South Bend and Plymouth.

INDOT crews will begin changing traffic to the new alignment of U.S. 31 after 9 a.m. ET. Traffic may be slowed or stopped as crews move barricades, barrels and other traffic control devices. To avoid delays, avoid access points for the new U.S. 31 until after 1 p.m. ET today.

Three interchanges will open today. Those interchanges are located at Kern Road in South Bend, State Road 4 in Lakeville and U.S. 6 in LaPaz. A fourth interchange will open once construction at 7th Road near Plymouth is finished later this year.

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INDOT Closes Portions of U.S. 31

 
 

Access from multiple side roads to U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County will be limited through the end of the year. Indiana Department of transportation officials say the closures are necessary as the new U.S. 31 construction is tied in to the existing U.S. 31. Motorists can still access U.S. 31 by way of Main Street, Kern Road and Ireland Road. However, crews will shut down access to U.S. 31 from Jewell Avenue, Hildebrand Street, Yoder Street, Dice Street, Pulling Street, Gilmer Street, Pasadena Avenue Detroit Avenue, and Lucinda Street.

 

INDOT Allocates $2.1 Million For U.S. 31

The Indiana Department of Transportation has allocated a $2.1 million federal grant to build a portion of U.S. 31 in Marshall County near Plymouth to make sure the state doesn’t lose the money.

The Obama administration announced in August that states had until yesterday to specify how to spend $473 million in federal dollars that had been earmarked for highway projects between 2003 and 2006.

INDOT spokesman Matt Deitchley said that the state had always intended to use that money to rebuild a portion of U.S. 31 between South Bend and Plymouth, but not a specific part. He says the state will hear bids from contractors to begin construction on that stretch of the road next year.