Last week, Governor Eric Holcomb announced his 2019 Next Level Connections plan, which includes funding for three new interchanges on U.S. 31.
The interchanges, which run through Senate District 18, will be built at U.S. 31 and State Road 18 and Business 31 in Miami County and State Road 10 in Marshall County.
For safety reasons, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) originally proposed building J-turns at some of these busy intersections.
Senator Head said, “J-turns would have kept cars from crossing the oncoming traffic on U.S. 31 by requiring them to make a right turn, a U-turn, and then another right turn.”
The senator went on to say, “Adding J-turns could have hurt these counties’ strong efforts to procure new employers, as they would have backed up traffic and required vehicles to merge through four lanes of traffic to turn. Thanks to the citizens of Miami and Marshall Counties continually voicing their opposition, J-turns were not installed and other solutions were discussed like interchanges.”
Now that funding has been set aside for interchanges, it will soon be safer and easier for cars and trucks to enter and leave U.S. 31.
Senator Head closed his comments saying, “I thank the citizens of Miami and Marshall counties for their persistence and Governor Holcomb for making these interchanges possible.”
If you have any concerns regarding the new interchanges, contact Senator Head’s office at 317-232-9488.
Senator Head will be our guest on the What’s Your Opinion Show Monday morning about 9:15. Tune in to AM 1050 or FM 106.1 to hear his comments on these road projects in Marshall and Miami Counties.
