News and Updates
January 2008
Senate Approves Corridor Protection Bill
Today, the Indiana Senate approved SB31, Sen. Zakas' (R– Granger) corridor protection bill, by a vote of 47-0.
With this vote, the legislation moves to the Indiana House of Representatives for consideration. Rep. Dembowski (D-Knox) will be the House sponsor of the bill.
SB31 protects highway corridor projects for future construction by allowing INDOT to designate a corridor for improvement. That designation is then presented to the communities impacted by the project for comment and input, and then recorded with the relevant counties. Planning commissions may then adopt complimentary zoning policies. In addition, INDOT may purchase properties within the right of way, allowing landowners the opportunity to plan better for the future.
The US 31 Coalition strongly supports this legislation, with Coalition Executive Director Dennis Faulkenberg and Coalition Board member Monty Henderson testifying for the bill before the Senate Transportation committee.
Please check the US31 Coalition website at www.us31coalition.com for the latest version of SB31.
January 2008
Corridor Protection Bill Approved by Committee
The Senate Transportation Committee today approved Sen. Zakas’ SB 31, a corridor protection bill aimed at easing future highway improvements.
Important highway projects, like US 31, face a difficult future when growth occurs in future highway rights of way. Currently, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) does not usually identify these projects before such growth occurs, and therefore, must spend a substantial part of the project budget on right of way purchases.
With this legislation, however, INDOT can identify corridors and provide the location information to the public impacted by the project. After holding a public hearing, the information is then recorded with the counties along the highway improvement.
The bill will provide the counties, cities and towns along a highway corridor the appropriate information concerning INDOT’s plans, so that they can assist the state by initiating zoning practices that are beneficial to the project. Further, landowners will have the information they need to plan for the future.
The legislation was approved by a 7-0 vote and next goes to the full Senate for consideration.
August 2007
Congressman Donnelly says U.S. 31 is "Heart and Soul" of Community
Coalition Pledges to Work with Congressman on Completion of Project
Members of the U.S. 31 Coalition joined Congressman Donnelly (D – 2nd) for a meeting yesterday to discuss the critical nature of U.S. 31 to Central Indiana .
Rep. Donnelly pledged his support to the project, telling the group that this corridor is the "main artery" of northern and central parts of the State.
John Letherman, President of the U.S. 31 Coalition, told the Congressman and his staff that the Coalition has been working since 1999 with communities along U.S. 31 to accelerate the construction of the freeway.
The Coalition further explained how the construction dates of the first three segments (St. Joseph/Marshall Counties, Howard County , and Hamilton County ) have all been accelerated by at least three years from their original start dates.
While the Coalition is very pleased with these dates, Patrick McMahon, Vice President of the Coalition, explained how the hazardous conditions that will remain between after the construction of these first segments still will impede Indiana's economic development efforts.
Congressman Donnelly asked the Coalition to work with his office in identifying the next areas of the corridor that need improvement.
With the construction of the freeway in St. Joseph/Marshall Counties, Howard County and Hamilton County , most of the existing stoplights will be removed from the corridor. However, a substantial number of at-grade crossings will remain in Marshall , Fulton , Miami and Tipton Counties , contributing to continued safety concerns.
Rep. Donnelly stressed the importance of having a continuous freeway corridor from South Bend to Indianapolis , and pledged his assistance in making that happen.
Items of Interest: Check out the Indiana Department of Transportation's new website for the northern portion of the project: www.us31plysb.com