U.S. 31 Project Moving Forward
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPart of a major traffic artery in Carmel is now open. U.S. 31 between Old Meridian and 136th streets had been closed while crews reconfigured several sections of the road. Other parts of U.S. 31 between Hamilton County and the state line have been the focus of long-term efforts to reduce congestion. November 25, 2014
News Release
CARMEL, Ind. – The section of U.S. 31 was closed between Old Meridian and 136th Street in April to further expedite freeway construction by approximately one construction season. The Indiana Department of Transportation and its contractors (E&B Paving and Gradex) committed to open the roadway to traffic before Thanksgiving, and U.S. 31 is opening on time.
After opening operations are complete, two lanes of traffic will be open on northbound and southbound U.S. 31 between Old Meridian and 136th streets. Upon completion of construction in late 2015, three travel lanes will open on northbound and southbound U.S. 31 in Carmel. Please see the information below about access to the areas under construction during the closure.
Old Meridian Street (just north of 116th Street): Access to the Old Meridian Street just north of 116th Street remains accessible via a ramp from northbound U.S. 31. The temporary access to southbound U.S. 31 that was made available during the closure has been removed.
Carmel Drive/126th Street: Construction is still underway on Carmel Drive/126th Street, and the overpass is expected to open in spring of 2015. Direct access to/from U.S. 31 is no longer available at this location. Motorists must exit U.S. 31 at 116th Street or Main Street/131st Street, then use Illinois Street or Pennsylvania Street, to access Carmel Drive/126th Street. The Carmel Drive/126th Street overpass will provide additional east-west access over U.S. 31 once it opens in the spring.
Main Street/131st Street: The Main Street/131st Street interchange over U.S. 31 will be open, providing direct access to/from U.S. 31. The roundabout interchange will temporarily remain one lane in each direction.
136th Street: The 136th Street interchange under U.S. 31 will be fully operational, providing direct access to/from U.S. 31.
Truck traffic may once again use U.S. 31. Carmel expects to reinstate and enforce large truck restrictions on Keystone Parkway once construction on U.S. 31 is complete in late 2015.
Motorists should be aware that while U.S. 31 is opening between Old Meridian and 136th streets, construction continues along the U.S. 31 Hamilton County corridor between I-465 and State Road 38 through late 2015.
Posted speed limits are enforced. The minimum fee for speeding in a work zone is $300. Drivers who injure or kill a highway worker could face fines of up to $10,000 and eight years in prison. For tips on driving safely in work zones, go to www.in.gov/indot/2356.htm.
For project updates on The New U.S. 31 Hamilton County visit US31HamiltonCounty.in.gov
Source: The Indiana Department of Transportation