Contents 46 | Crossroads of America 49 | Recommendations Chapter 4: Recommendations Michiana on the Move

Figure 4-1: Peak Period Congestion on the NHS: 2007 4

Crossroads of America

Indiana is considered the “Crossroads of America.” As discussed in Chapter 2, this makes North Central Indiana truly at the crossroads Figure 4-2: Peak Period Congestion on the NHS: 2040 between Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Toledo, and Fort Wayne. Additionally, the region is within a day’s drive of 80% of the United States’ population. This crossroads location not only provides local residents with convenient routes for longer travel, it also is a ben-

to other parts of the country. Therefore, the regional transportation networkefit for manufacturers plays a vital roleand inwarehouses the national wanting movement to transport of goods goods and people. Critical Infrastructure Congestion With the region projected to increase in population by 10% between 2010 and 2040 as well as the growth in the national population, the general assumption is travel on our transportation network will increase. Therefore considerations must be made on the potential impacts to our transportation network.

46 Chapter 4: Recommendations 2040 Transportation Plan

Figure 4-1 shows recurring congestion caused by volumes of passenger vehicles and trucks that exceed capacity on roadways dur- Figure 4-3: Average Daily Long-Haul Traffic on the NHS: 2007 ing peak periods. In 2007, the recurring congestion is concentrated primarily in major metropolitan areas especially along the east

below posted speed limits on 11,700 miles of the NHS and created stop-and-gocoast. In 2007, conditions peak-period on an congestion additional resulted6,700 miles. in traffic Assuming slowing no changes in network capacity, increases in truck and passenger ve-

congestion to 36 percent of the NHS in 2040 compared with 11 per- hicle traffic are forecast to expand areas of recurring peak-period the NHS and create stop-and-go conditions on an additional 39,000 miles.cent in 2007 (Figure 4-2). This will slow traffic on 20,300 miles of

Freight Traffic

on major routes connecting population centers, ports, border cross- ings,Long-haul and other freight major truck hubs traffic of activity. in the ExceptUnited forStates Route is concentrated99 in Califor- nia and a few toll roads and border connections, most of the heavi- est traveled routes are on the Interstate System. By 2040, long-haul Figure 4-4: Average Daily Long-Haul Traffic on the NHS: 2040 - matically on Interstate highways and other arterials throughout the nation.freight truckForecast traffic data in indicatethe United that States truck is travel expected may to reach increase 662 dramil- lion miles per day.

Additionally, congested highways carrying a large number of trucks substantially impede interstate commerce, and trucks on those seg-

3,700ments milescontribute of the significantly NHS that carry to congestion. more than Recurring8,500 trucks congestion per day. Assumingslows traffic no on change 4,700 in miles network and capacity,creates stop-and-go the number conditions of NHS miles on with recurring congestion and a large number of trucks is forecast- ed to increase nearly four-fold between 2007 and 2040. On highways carrying more than 8,500 trucks per day, recurring congestion - ditions on an additional 23,500 miles. The increased freight traf- will slow traffic on close to 7,200 miles and create stop-and-go con

fic and increase congestion will impact the regional transportation Chapter 4: Recommendations 47 Michiana on the Move

Figure 4-5: Peak-Period Congestion on network, especially I-80/90, US 31, US 30 and US 20. High-Volume Truck Portions on the NHS: 2007 Aging Infrastructure

Trends and Projections Chapter, maintaining and modernizing theGiven region’s these transportationtraffic forecasts network and the isinformation not only critical presented to the in local the economy but also the national economy. However, one challenge is that our nation’s infrastructure is aging; especially considering the Interstate System was primarily created in the 1950s under the Eisenhower administration.

Every four years, America’s civil engineers provide a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s major infrastructure categories in the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Using a simple A to F letter grade format, the Report Card provides a comprehensive assessment of current infrastructure conditions and needs, both assigning grades and making recommendations for how to raise the grades. The grades are assigned Figure 4-6: Peak-Period Congestion on based on: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. High-Volume Truck Portions on the NHS: 2040 Since 1998, the grades for our nation’s infrastructure have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and un- derinvestment across most categories. America’s cumulative GPA for infrastructure rose slightly to a D+ in the 2013 Report Card. The grades in 2013 ranged from a high of B- for solid waste to a low of D- for inland waterways and levees. Incremental improvements were seen in roads, bridges and transit which received a D, C+ and D. Rail infrastructure jumped from a C- to a C+.

The incremental improvement in the 2013 Report Card demon- strates that we can improve the current condition of our nation’s infrastructure when investments are made and projects move for- ward. While the modest progress is encouraging, it is clear that

infrastructure systems, a pressing need for modernization, and an immensewe have a opportunity significant tobacklog create of reliable, overdue long-term maintenance funding across sources. our

48 Chapter 4: Recommendations 2040 Transportation Plan

However, forty-two percent of America’s major urban highways re- 1. Take Care of What We Have main congested, costing the economy an estimated $101 billion in 2. Finish What We Start wasted time and fuel annually. While the conditions have improved in the near term, and federal, state, and local capital investments 3. Plan for the Future. - Take Care of What We Have cient and still projected to result in a decline in conditions and per- Preserving Indiana’s existing infrastructure is paramount to main- formanceincreased into the$91 longbillion term. annually, Currently, that thelevel Federal of investment Highway is Admininsuffi- taining Indiana’s position as the Crossroads of America. The respon- istration estimates that $170 billion in capital investment would be sibility to preserve existing infrastructure affects revenue streams and, potentially impacts future projects. performance. needed on an annual basis to significantly improve conditions and Finish What We Start The Indiana Department of Transportation is currently working Recommendations toward bringing regionally important capital projects to reality through programs such as Major Moves. The projects that fall into Given these challenges prioritizing and investing in a multimodal the “Finish What We Start” category are projects that are underway transportation network is essential and the 2040 Trasnporation Plan acts as a blueprint for our regional investments. The following are recommendations that were generated through the public but not Ohioyet finished. River Bridges These projects include: participation process which included multiple meetings with key I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis stakeholders. The local road project recommendations are present- • ed in Appendix A as a complete list of projects. The projects listed Illiana Expressway • are the result of the planning process outlined in Chapter 1. US 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend • The Indiana Department of Transportation is already working to- State Projects • The Indiana 2013-2035 Future Transportation Needs Report re- ward bringing these projects to reality. places the 2007 Long-Range Transportation Plan document. INDOT Plan for the Future - Governor Pence formed the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure to assess the “Plan for the Future” category and pro- has adopted a non-project specific, needs-based, statewide trans describes overarching strategies and opportunities to accomplish vide potential projects for consideration. As Indiana grows, new portation approach that identifies future transportation needs and - infrastructure and other structural improvements will be required tic framework for addressing transportation issues and needs for - future results. This approach will provide a flexible and opportunis the next 20-25 years. lowing recommendations came from the Blue Ribbon Panel and Governor Pence has established a three-part philosophy or vision addressto facilitate the thebest efficient thinking movement about current of people project and priorities freight. Theand inifol- regarding transportation infrastructure: tiatives as Indiana plans for the future. The Panel evaluated the

arranged the projects into tiers to signify relative priority among various projects contained in Table 4-1 against five key metrics and

Chapter 4: Recommendations 49 Michiana on the Move

Table 4-1: Statewide Significant Projects Upgrade US 30 to be limited access from Ft. Wayne to Val- paraiso Projects • Name # Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Continue US 20 to the east as a four-lane divided highway I-65: Added Travel Lanes 15 X • Improve traffic flow on SR 13 through Middlebury I-70: Added Travel Lanes 14 X • Continue North-South route from US 6 to SR 15 south of I-69 Ohio River Bridge 17 X • Improve traffic flow on SR 15 through Warsaw Warsaw Commerce Connector 7 X • I-69: Added Travel Lanes 16 X Freight As part of the Michiana on the Move planning process, MACOG met SW Indiana Port Connections 5A X with the Conexus North Central Regional Logistics Council (Conex- Mid-States Corridor 12 X us), a special interest group created to realize manufacturing and US 30 – Fort Wayne to Valparaiso 8 X logistics opportunities. Conexus developed a list of priority proj- Port Bridge Over National Rail ects with freight and logistics emphasis. Several major roadways 6 X Corridor - ana: completing US 31 from I-94 and I-96 in Benton Harbor, MI to Municipal Connector: Madison 19 X I-465were identifiedin Indianapolis, as important US 30 as freight a limited projects access in highway, North Central continuing Indi Municipal Connector: Connersville 18 X a four-lane divided road from the I-80/I-90 Toll Road to US 30 in Source: Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure Warsaw along the SR15/SR17 corridor, and the Illiana Expressway being planned to the west of MACOG’s region, which can connect the top priorities. The tier one projects are those projects that are - critical to Indiana’s transportation system. The Blue Ribbon Panel US 30 to the expressway. On a local level, Conexus identified impor tantElkhart freight County projects specific to each county. Panel then outlined tier two projects that they stated would be good Complete Bristol Bypass from SR 120, west of Bristol at the forstated Indiana, the State though of Indiana not critical. must Thefind tier a way three to do they these said projects. were desir The- river through Earth Way Industrial Park, to a point east of able and should be pursued if funds become available. The tiers are • SR 15 and then up to SR 120 not intended to suggest a chronological priority. Add travel lanes US 20 east of SR 15 toward Middlebury Local Priorities for State Projects Widen CR 6 and/or Old US 20 to match widening projects in • Through the various meetings conducted for the 2040 Transpor- St. Joseph County tation Plan, various local priorities on State owned facilities were • discussed. At this time, the following projects have not received Reroute US 33 from Pike and Main Street to Monroe Street funding nor are they on any State plan, but are listed for reference. in Goshen • Finish US 31 from Plymouth to Kokomo

• 50 Chapter 4: Recommendations 2040 Transportation Plan

Kosciusko County Bicycle and Pedestrian CR 1300 N new road construction from Old SR 15 to SR 15, During the 2040 Transportation Plan meetings, there was a strong with new bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad interest in developing a regional bicycle and pedestrian plan. In • SR 15 Warsaw Western Bypass from US 30 to SR 15 South order to better discuss and plan for bicycle and pedestrian needs, MACOG will develop a Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity East-West street grade seperation at Norfolk Southern in • - the City of Warsaw • dations are not included in the 2040 Transportation Plan. CR 700 S from SR 19 to SR 15 in Claypool- Commodity Con- Plan in 2015. Due to the upcoming plan, specific project recommen nector only needed if Warsaw Western Bypass not complet- Public Transit • ed Public transit is important for a number of practical reasons and Fox Farm & CR 150W Truck Route New Road & Bridge from is an integral part of the transportation system, providing an addi- US 30 to Old US 30 tional mode choice. The economic competitiveness of the region is • at risk if people cannot get to their jobs and destinations. Providing Marshall County Completion of US 31 development, health care facilities, schools, and recreation. US 30 limited access efficient public transit allows all persons access to jobs, workforce • Additionally, an aging population in the region suggests a long-term Southern access to US 31 • need to provide viable mobility options not only for standard work Widen Michigan Road from CR 17 to US 31 trips, but also for non-work trips and during nonpeak periods. Offer- • Interchange at a limited access US 31 at Michigan Road ing public transit to medical facilities, commercial areas and other • key destinations will support both the quality of life of our seniors St. Joseph• County and the increasing needs of those that may be transit-dependent. Create an interchange at Adams Road and the US 31 Bypass with access roads connecting to Olive to the west and to the During the 2040 Transportation Plan meetings, there were discus- • new Auten Road to the east sion about developing a regional transit plan. This plan would pro- Extend Olive Street from Brick Road to Adams Road - nectivity, and enhancements. MACOG will develop a Regional Public Upgrade Olive Street from Nimtz Parkway to Lincolnway • Transitvide specific Plan inrecommendations 2015. about transit projects, needs, con West or US 20 • Extend Auten Road from Portage to Dylan Drive Connect Sample Street to SR 23 through the New Energy • project • Improve the street/railroad into New Carlisle Improve McKinley Highway through Mishawaka to Elkhart • •

Chapter 4: Recommendations 51