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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2015
U.S. 31 Freeway in Westfield Opens Today
The new U.S. 31 freeway in Westfield is shifting to its final traffic pattern today as Rieth-Riley Construction is completing a $63 million contract for the Hamilton County corridor.
The final traffic shift will open all lanes and place traffic in a permanent configuration by the end of the day, bringing the new U.S. 31 Hamilton County closer to completion and enhancing safety, mobility and economic growth in Westfield.
“Upgrading U.S. 31 to freeway standards has helped open the door for Westfield to compete for national economic development projects,” explains Mayor Andy Cook. “The US 31 freeway has brought Westfield about 15 minutes closer to Indianapolis and the Indianapolis International Airport. Combine that with development projects like Grand Park, and now our family-focused community is being recognized as one of the best places to raise a family.”
Westfield’s 400-acre Grand Park had nearly 1.4 million visits this year and booked more than 55,000 hotel rooms in Central Indiana. The U.S. 31 upgrade has assisted Grand Park’s goal in creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. Projects like the U.S. 31 freeway and Grand Park are why Westfield had a nearly 10 percent increase in assessed value in 2015.
 INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook are excited to report all interchanges and lanes are open and all traffic signals are now removed from U.S. 31 in Westfield.
About the new U.S. 31 in Westfield
All lanes and ramps will be open from 146th Street to the State Road 38 interchange, where construction on the new U.S. 31 Hamilton County broke ground in 2011. The Westfield section is now three lanes in each direction between 146th Street and State Road 32 and two lanes from State Road 32 to State Road 38. Traffic is only able to access the new freeway through entrance and exit ramps, all of which are now open.
The project rebuilt about four miles of U.S. 31 in Westfield and created new interchanges at State Road 32 and 191st Street. Rieth-Riley completed a $58 million contract in 2014 to rebuild about three miles of U.S. 31, construct a roundabout interchange at 161st Street and complete a split-diamond interchange connecting 146th Street, 151st Street and Greyhound Pass.
The speed limit is being posted 55 mph, but drivers are urged to drive cautiously because contractors will be finishing some work items in the area.
Construction in Carmel
U.S. 31 interchanges at Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, 136th Street and Main/131st Street are complete and open to traffic. New roundabout interchanges at 106th and 116th streets are anticipated to open before the end of this year.
Contractors are also making progress on the new ramps at the U.S. 31 and I-465 interchange. Work is on schedule to have all ramps open and free-flowing traffic on U.S. 31 north of I-465 before the end of this year, but some construction will continue into 2016.
U.S. 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend
The U.S. 31 Major Moves projects near Indianapolis, Kokomo and South Bend are intended to reduce congestion, increase safety and provide continuity of commerce and regional travel for a highway that stretches from Michigan to Alabama. The new U.S. 31 freeways near Kokomo opened in 2013 and near South Bend opened last year.
When the final six-mile contract in Carmel is open to traffic, a total of 32 traffic signals will have been removed from U.S. 31 between Indianapolis and South Bend, increasing safety and saving a half hour of travel time.
INDOT plans to open bids in November for a new U.S. 31 interchange to replace the traffic signal at State Road 28 near Tipton. Construction of the roundabout interchange is anticipated to begin early next year, and should open to traffic by the end of 2016.
Stay informed
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Media Contacts:
INDOT - Nathan Riggs, 317-467-3479, nriggs@indot.in.gov
Westfield - Erin Murphy, 317-617-8524, emurphy@westfield.in.gov
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