March 5, 2012
03/06/12 The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has awarded a Major Moves contract to construct two new bridges on the south side of South Bend, one on Jackson Road over U.S. 31 and a second on Fellows Street over U.S. 20. Rieth Riley Construction of South Bend was awarded the $13.1 million contract.
Bids will open soon for two additional U.S. 31 projects. The Kern Road Interchange project in St. Joseph County, along with the U.S. 6 Interchange and new lane alignment between 4A Road and 2B Road project in Marshall County, will open to bids by this Summer.
Sixteen projects are already underway or completed along the new U.S. 31 corridor. Approximately 15 miles of the 20-mile corridor will be constructed on new terrain. Once complete, U.S. 31 will be a freeway between Plymouth and South Bend, with access only at interchanges. The entire corridor is expected to be opened to traffic by the end of 2014.
The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility along the route. This project is part of the larger Major Moves initiative to upgrade the route to freeway standards and cut a half hour off travel time between Indianapolis and South Bend.
Additional information on the U.S. 31 project is available at http://www.us31plysb.com.
INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest news and information about INDOT, visit www.in.gov/indot. You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov. Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT.