The Veterans Parkway/7th Road interchange in Marshall County is officially open to traffic. U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly joined Marshall County Commissioners, INDOT leaders and dozens of veterans for a ribbon cutting celebration. The interchange and connector roadways off U.S. 31 are a result of a partnership between state and local officials.
The new U.S. 31 connects the U.S. 20 bypass in South Bend and U.S. 30 near Plymouth with four lanes of limited access, divided, four-lane highway. Traffic is only able to get on and off the new freeway at Kern Road in South Bend, State Road 4 in Lakeville, U.S. 6 in LaPaz and 7th Road/Veteran’s Parkway in Plymouth.
The U.S. 31 projects near South Bend, Kokomo and Indianapolis are a key part of the Major Moves construction program funded by the 2006 lease of the Indiana Toll Road. INDOT officials say they are intended to reduce congestion, improve safety and provide continuity of commerce and regional travel on a federal highway that stretches from Michigan to Alabama.
When the final 13 miles of U.S. 31 north of Indianapolis open to traffic, a total of 32 signals will have been eliminated between Indianapolis and South Bend. That will shave 30 minutes of travel time off the drive and increase safety, according to INDOT officials.
