Corridors in Motion 231

This project would upgrade US-231 from I-65 West Lafayette to I-69 near Newberry to a 4 to 6-lane expressway with some sections upgraded to freeway standards. The upgrades will include with grade separated limited access interchanged along the freeway section and at grade intersections along the expressway sections. The project would also include the removal of two-way turn lanes and the prohibition of driveways along the corridor.

Project Sections

West Lafayette I-65 Gap Closure

West Lafayette I-65 Gap Closure

Construct a 4 lane freeway with grade separated intersections around the east and north side of West Lafayette along a new alignment. This section will connect US 231 to Interstate 65 near the 180 mile marker. From there US-231 would continue northbound along I-65 and continue until it returned to its existing alignment near Walcott. Purpose and Need

Purpose and Need

this would facilitate easier connection to Purdue University campus West Lafayette and Lafayette as well as complete a missing link in the interstate highway network. Currently vehicles connecting from I-65 to US-231 and US-52 must do so via a network of city streets and 2 lane roadways which are not designed to handle the higher volume of vehicles and truck traffic. Interregional commercial traffic would benefit as well given all of the industrial uses in the city. This freeway facility would provide a better highway connection to these areas and reduce overall congestion through the downtown areas since they could use the freeway instead.

Lafayette to Crawfordsville

Widen the existing highway to a 4 lane expressway From south or Lafayette to North of Crawfordsville with at grade intersections along the existing alignment. This will include bypass sections around the towns of Romney and Linden.

Crawfordsville Bypass

US-231 Crawfordsville Bypass

Construct a divided 4 lane bypass expressway with at grade intersections around the east and south side of Crawfordsville along a new alignment. The bypass would return to existing US-231 .25 miles south of CR 300S south of the city. This roadway would be upgradable to full freeway standards should traffic conditions warrant. A full system interchange would be needed at I-74 located approximately 2.5 miles east of the SR-47 overpass. From there US-231 would be cosigned along I-74 approximately 2 miles to return to its existing alignment north of the city. Existing US-231 through the city would then become a business route or can potentially be relinquished to the city. North of I-74 the US-231 bypass can continue north along a new alignment at it heads northward to Lafayette as the 231 corridor is developed.

This project would have the following economic benefits: Increased interstate traffic through and to the region, better access to the interstate for area businesses (especially those on the south side that are somewhat cut off from the interstate system, and better connection to Indianapolis and Lebanon (via a new SR-32 bypass). This bypass would also reduce travel times to the interstate and for vehicles travelling northward toward Lafayette and provide better access to the underserved east side of town which has numerous industrial and residential uses.

Crawfordsville to Greencastle

Widen the existing highway to a 4 lane expressway with at grade intersections along the existing alignment. This will include bypass sections around the towns of Fincastle and Parkersburg.

Greencastle Bypass

US-231 Greencastle Bypass

Construct a 4 lane bypass expressway with at grade intersections around the east side of Greencastle along a new alignment. This will be a grade separated corridor with the option to upgrade to freeway standards as traffic conditions warrant. Indot recommended three potential alignments: one immediately west of the airport, another immediately east of the airport and the last approximately 1 mile east of the airport. North of greencastle US 23 would return to its current alignment somewhere north of the city or could continue on a new terrain route as a 4 lane divided highway. The South of the bypass will connect back to existing US-231 somewhere north of I-70 and should be upgraded to a 4 lane facility to the interstate and the I-70 interchnge upgraded to a full system interchange with full access control. Full access control should be maintanied for the entire length of the project area and grade separation at all rail crossings and major interchanges (US-40, SR 240, etc).

Purpose and Need

Commercial and industrial development near SR 240 are generating much of the traffic along the corridor. Combine that with interstate traffic using the corridor and the fact that the route travels through the center of the city along narrow routes and tight intersections, makes the corridor all the more congested. Upgrading the existing corridor is not possible due to insufficent right of way issues and tight conditions through downtown. Maintaining the existing route is not an option and would only exacerbate congestion. A new terrain route is needed.

Greencastle to Spencer

Construct a 4 lane bypass expressway with at grade intersections

Spencer to I-69

US-231 Spencer to I-69

US-231 Spencer to I-69

Construct or widen to a 4 lane expressway with at grade intersections