The $420-million dollar realignment of U.S. 31 between South Bend and Plymouth appears to be creating a bridge building bonanza.

This year, the Indiana Department of Transportation has already awarded three bridge construction contracts for spans in Marshall County. Another two bridge building contracts for spans in St. Joseph County are expected to be awarded in May.

Work has already started on spans along Plymouth Goshen Trail, and Lilac Road.

While it was hoped work would begin soon on a bridge along New Road—that project has been delayed. “We don’t need the road; we got a four lane highway up here (the existing U.S. 31) that carries traffic that’s busy two hours a day. Why do we have to spend a billion dollars to build a road parallel to it to bypass Lakeville, LaPaz and make ghost towns?” said New Road resident Paul Shafer.

The realigned U.S. 31 will claim Shafer’s long-time home. “71 years, I’ve been in that home, it’s like ‘get out of the way, we’re coming through,’” he complained.

Shafer says his home was appraised three or four months ago, yet he still hadn’t received a purchase offer.

While three of Shafer’s New Road neighbors have already moved on to greener pastures, Shafer plans to stay. He says doing so will mean tearing down his current home, and building a new home about 200-feet to the west: Not exactly a major move—but a move nonetheless.

While Shafer says he doesn’t want to live that close to the new highway, he figures he has no choice: “…I ain’t leaving my ground. If they buy the whole farm, fine, but they ain’t. I can’t live away from my livestock and machinery.”

Shafer claims the state wants to buy about 80 acres of his 600-acre farm.

In all, the state expects to buy 455-parcels to clear a path for the new roadway. Land owners had an opportunity to ask questions and view the latest project plans at an open house at LaVille High School on Wednesday. Another open house is scheduled for Thursday at Jackson Middle School in South Bend.