Update on Franklin U.S. 31 Corridor Improvement Project
The plan to work on the U.S. Highway 31 Corridor in Franklin, a $50 million improvement project spanning five miles, is encountering a setback in its timeline as difficulties in securing the required right of way for construction is causing delays.
Despite six years of meticulous planning for the road segment, the project's start has been moved to 2025 and completion is now anticipated to extend to 2030. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and local community leaders’ primary objectives of the project included enhancing pedestrian safety by optimizing traffic flow and alleviating congestion along Franklin’s portion of the highway.
The INDOT project Environmental Document reported that “The need for this project arises from a decrease in functionality and safety on the US 31 corridor passing through the City of Franklin, a lack of consistent pedestrian and non-motorized infrastructure along the corridor, and the deterioration of the structure.”
carrying US 31 over Canary Ditch within the identified project area.
Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett said in the Daily Journal that local businesses are not likely to lose customers due to the roadwork.
“Those businesses tell me that it does not hurt them at all,” Mayor Barnett said in the Daily Journal. “People have to go farther north at Commerce, turn around and come back. They’re already doing that.”
Barnett views the construction as necessary for a lasting infrastructure project that will benefit the business community in the long run.
“I really feel like in the end, this is going to be a very good safe project for the city of Franklin. It is going to enhance our businesses down through 31 with walkability and safer access to their businesses,” he said.
Ongoing challenges in property acquisition, particularly for sidewalks and reduced conflict intersections, are contributing to the project's timeline extensions.
INDOT is actively navigating the formal land acquisition process, adhering to federal law, including comprehensive land appraisal procedures. To mitigate crashes, left turns and through movements at various intersections that computer modeling have identified as “conflict points” will be eliminated.
The introduction of reduced conflict intersections along the five-mile span will incorporate cross-traffic flow and specific intersection designs. Specifically, Jefferson Street and Commerce Drive will facilitate cross-traffic flow, while other streets will adopt Restricted Crossing U-turn (R-CUT) or Median U-turn (MUT) intersection configurations.
Traffic signals will govern nearly 70% of intersections equipped with U-turn lanes, while non-signal intersections will be strategically placed in lower traffic rural areas.