455 property owners are slated to be affected by the widening and reconstruction of US-31 from South Bend to Plymouth, giving the name, ‘Major Moves’ a new meaning.
At an open house Monday night, homeowners and concerned citizens came to see where the plans stand, where the road will go, and if it will go through their property.
INDot is showing off their latest design plans for the project, which include about thirty percent of the project design specifications.
The design gives some homeowners a good idea how they're property will be affected, and if they'll have to move.
Leonard Leemeris learned INDot will most likely not acquire his land for construction, but the new road will be sitting just yards from his house.
“My major concern is that I have to move. I don’t want to move. If you’re going to build US-31 then I’m sitting behind a big wall like the by-pass. You want to live behind a big wall?” Leemeris wonders what his next move will be.
Lou Smith found out the state will most likely buy his property for construction. He sees it as an opportunity.
“Life moves on, you know? You cant fight about it, just pick up and move someplace else. It works out good for me because I’m retiring in 2010,” Smith tells NewsCenter 16.
The most recent plans provide 30 percent design specifications. While they provide answers for some, others are left wondering about the fate of their homes and property.
”We’re starting south and heading north and unfortunately, their answers aren’t going to be firm until we get till seventy percent designed in those segments,” Andy Dietrick, Communications Director for INDot says.
418 million dollars is budgeted for construction of this project. The money comes from Governor Daniels’s major moves fund, created by the toll road lease.
Another open house is scheduled at Newton Park from 4-7 Tuesday night.
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