U.S. 31 is a major arterial thoroughfare and one of Indiana’s most heavily traveled non-interstate corridors. It serves as a reliever for I-65 and a significant commercial corridor for many of the state’s cities between Indianapolis, Kokomo, and South Bend. The client sought to identify and deploy intersection alternatives and safety countermeasures to construct a full-access interchange at U.S. 31 and 236th Street that would improve crash rates, enhance corridor capacity, accommodate future growth, and mitigate impacts to property and the natural environment.

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) completed a feasibility study to identify the preferred alternative for a low-impact grade-separated access point to U.S. 31 from 236th Street – a rural connector between two towns on opposite sides of U.S. 31 that has seen traffic growth due to the residential and commercial developments. Public dialogue was conducted with local agencies, a 20-person Community Advisory Committee, and the general public to allow the project team to refine the concepts in a manner that both supported the long-term goals for the corridor and addressed the community’s requests. A tight-diamond interchange configuration with roundabout intersection terminals was the preferred alternative for this detailed design.

Navigating the ecological challenges posed by Hinkle Creek, Little Cicero Creek, and 12 wetlands within the project area required extensive coordination and expertise. CMT’s environmental team led the NEPA and permitting efforts, including a thorough waters investigation, environmental justice analysis, and an individual Section 4(f) analysis that culminated in an 800.11 memorandum of agreement.

This project is notable for its commitment to preserving significant cultural resources in the area. The team worked closely with historical preservationists to relocate and reconstruct a Civil War-era farmstead with ties to the Underground Railroad.