Several local road and bridge projects will receive tens of millions of dollars in state and federal funding over the next five years, and residents can still offer their input before the projects begin.
The plans are part of a federally mandated document, titled the “State Transportation Improvement Plan,” put together by the Indiana Department of Transportation. In Johnson County, most of the projects involve roadways, with millions of dollars going to major thoroughfares including U.S. 31, State Road 135 and State Road 252.
Franklin drivers will have more room to work with once lanes are added to U.S. 31, between South Main Street and Israel Lane. The $48.2 million project will be paid for with $37.5 million in federal funds, supplemented by more than $10 million in state dollars, and will take place from 2022 to 2024, according to INDOT.
Another U.S. 31 project will include hot asphalt mix overlay from just north of State Road 252 in Trafalgar to just south of State Road 44. That project, set for next year, will cost $5.6 million, with $4.5 million paid with federal funds and the rest supplemented by state dollars, INDOT says.
State Road 252 will undergo two upgrades, in 2022 and 2023. The first will include $10.2 million of pavement replacement near where the road meets U.S. 31 and continues through Edinburgh to just west of Interstate 65. Workers will also lay down hot asphalt mix to prevent future maintenance issues on State Road 252 between where it meets State Road 135 in Trafalgar to where it meets U.S. 31 in Amity. That will likely take place in 2023 and cost $3.8 million, including more than $3 million in federal funds, according to INDOT.
State Road 135 will also receive a hefty sum for upgrades, including $20.3 million to expand the road to two lanes in each direction between Stones Crossing Road and Whiteland Road. That project will take place from 2022 to 2024, and will be paid for with $13.6 million in federal funding. Preventative maintenance on State Road 135 will include hot asphalt mix overlay near the intersection of State Road 252 in Trafalgar, and cost $2.1 million. It will also include $7.2 million worth of upgrades to the intersection of State Road 135 and Smith Valley Road, including more turn lanes, INDOT says.
Additionally, turn lanes will be added to the intersection of State Road 135 and Fairview Road in Greenwood next year, and cost $3.6 million, according to INDOT.
The money from the State Transportation Improvement Plan isn’t limited to road projects. Almost $3 million will fund bridge deck overlay next year near State Road 135 and Fry Road in Greenwood, over Pleasant Run Creek. Another $1.5 million will go toward repairing a bridge near where Urmeyville Road meets 700 East, northeast of Franklin, INDOT says.
The public input period opened Dec. 8, and will remain open until Jan. 27.
