US 31 project back on schedule

US 31 construction back on schedule
Brainard: taking over the project still an option

By Kevin Kane
Current in Carmel

January 12, 2010


During the US 31 Coalition’s annual legislative day, Governor Mitch Daniels and INDOT affirmed that the US 31 reconstruction project will be fully funded and completed on schedule.


Last week, Current in Carmel reported that Mayor Jim Brainard and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook claimed they were both told during separate meetings with INDOT officials that significant portions of the project’s construction would be moved to 2017, two years after the Major Moves funding is scheduled to end. INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield admitted that some construction was tentatively scheduled for 2017 but stressed that nothing was definitive. On Jan. 12, though, both Brainard and Cook said they were assured that the project will be completed in full and on the original timeline.


“I’m encouraged with the fact that this project is back on schedule,” Brainard said.


While he said that INDOT’s decision to remain on the original schedule is good news, Brainard said collaborating with Westfield to take over the project is still an option, as this was already done with construction on Keystone.


“Right now it will still take seven years to finish this project,” Brainard said. “If Carmel and Westfield did this it could be done in three.”


In addition to the benefit of completing construction in less than half the time, Brainard said a project run by Carmel and Westfield could save a significant amount of money.


“There’s a huge sale on road construction right now,” Brainard said. “Bids are coming in at 25 percent less than usual, so the faster we can get this done the more money we can save.”


Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Cook said he’d heard informal discussions about taking over the project. At that time, he said he considered that option an “impossible feat” but added that the city would be willing to participate.