Corridors in Motion 32

This project would convert SR-32 from Crawfordsville to Noblesville to a 4 to 6-lane urban expressway or freeway with grade separated limited access interchanged along the freeway section and signalized at grade intersections along the expressway sections. This would include landscaped medians in the urban sections of the highway. this would include the removal of two-way turn lanes and the prohibition of left turns into driveways along the corridor.

West Section

32 Corridor in Motion West

Crawfordsville Bypass

Bypass option 1 | without 231 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 end at the existing US-231 approximately .25 miles south of the city limits (south of Purple Heart Parkway). This bypass is depicted by the Green line on the inset map. A connecting road could be constructed westward to connect to existing SR 47 and SR 32. 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 .25 miles east of the existing SR-32 interchange. Existing SR-32 through the city would then be relinquished to the city and the county. East of I-74 the US-231 bypass will continue eastward along a new alignment at it heads to Lebanon see below.

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 east and south side that are somewhat cut off from the interstate system, and better connection to Indianapolis and Lebanon.

Bypass option 2 | with the 231 bypass

Construct a divided 4 lane bypass expressway with at grade intersections along a new alignment from the I-74 .25 miles east of the existing SR-32 interchange to a new US 231 bypass (gray line on inset map). From there SR -23 will follow the US 231 bypass to the south eventually connecting back to SR 32 via a new roadway located to the south of the city green dashed line . The bypass would end at the existing US-231 approximately .25 miles south of the city limits (south of Purple Heart Parkway). This bypass is depicted by the Green line on the inset map. A connecting road could be constructed westward to connect to existing SR 47 and SR 32. This roadway would be upgradable to full freeway standards should traffic conditions warrant. A full system interchange would be needed at I-74. Existing SR-32 through the city would then be relinquished to the city and the county.

Crawfordsville to Lebanon

Main Option | Direct Connection

Construct a new 4 lane freeway with fully grade separated interchanges located at I-74, Shannondale, SR-75 near Dover, and County Road 500W. This highway would connect back to the existing SR-32 alignment about 1 mile west of I-65 west of Lebanon. fromt there the highway will continue eastward to I-65 as a 4 lane boulevard with turn lanes, and a new signalized intersection at Enterprise Boulevard. The new freeway is depicted by the lower Green line on the inset map. A possible freeway connection can be built just to the north connecting the new bypass to I-65 via a dedicated system interchange approximately .5 miles north of the SR-32/South Street interchange.

Alternate Option 1 | North Lebanon Bypass Connection

the freeway will be constructed on a new alignment to the north of existing SR 32 as detailed in the inset map. However, rather than connecting existing SR-32 alignment it would cross SR-32 about 2 miles west of Lebanon and 1 mile west of Lebanon. The new freeway is depicted by the Green line on the inset map, the dashed line indicates a potential alternate routing if the northern bypass option is chosen. the freeway will end at a new interchange located north of County Road 300N (which is part of the Northern Interchange Project) The highway could then continue east as a northern bypass around Lebanon eventually connecting back to existing SR-32 somewhere east of Lebanon near CR 400E

Alternate Option 2 | South Lebanon Bypass Connection

the freeway will be constructed on a new alignment to the south of existing SR 32 as detailed in the inset map. However, rather than connecting existing SR-32 alignment it would remain south of Lebanon going to the south of the business park and to a new I-65 interchange approximately 1 mile south of the southern Lebanon Exit (Exit 138) The new freeway is depicted by the lower Green line on the inset map. The highway would then continue east as a southern bypass around Lebanon eventually connecting back to existing SR-32 somewhere east of Lebanon near CR 400E

Alternate Option 3 | Widen and Upgrade existing roadway

this option would widen and upgrade the existing 32 corridor along its current alignment. The roadway would be widened to a divided 4 lane highway from Nucor Rd to just east of CR 625E. From CR 625E to CR 975E would use alternating passing lanes in a 2-1 or 1-2 configuration. Roadway shoulders would be widened through Shannondale. East of Shannondale (Boone County line) to Dover and from Dover to CR 50N in Boone the highway would be upgraded to construct use alternating passing lanes. Then from CR 50N to Enterprise Drive would be widened to 5 lanes in a 2-1-2 configuration (with a center continuous 2 way left turn lane). Where applicable, left and right turn pockets and bypass lanes would be added to facilitate free flow of traffic. Additional traffic control devices such as a 4 way stop or traffic signal could be installed at SR-75 in Dover and at Enterprise Dr to increase safety due to crossing traffic and trucks. This alternative would provide a lower cost upgrade alternative and require less land acquisition and potential imminent domain issues than the new terrain routes proposed in options 1 or 2. Instead of upgrading 32 to freeway status it would be possible instead to extend I-865 westward to create a new connection to I-74 somewhere to the west of Brownsburg.

Purpose and Need

this route has seen a dramatic increase in through traffic from I-74 to I-65 for interstate trucks and other travelers connecting to the north side of Indianapolis which is a vital region in the local economy. Additionally higher commuter traffic from Crawfordsville to Lebanon, Carmel, Fishers and the Indianapolis northside has added to this increased traffic. the current facility is only 2 lanes wide and lacks safety features necessary to handle the current volume of traffic that uses the corridor such as dedicated turn lanes at major intersections, passing lanes and widened shoulders. These can be added but it is much safer and more economically viable to construct a new facilty with interstate standards instead. This project would have the following economic benefits: Increased interstate traffic through and to the region, better access to the interstate for area businesses and commuters. Remove excess traffic from alternate or less safe routes, and better connection from Crawfordsvilel and I-74 to Indianapolis and Lebanon.

Central and East Sections

32 Corridor in Motion - Central

Lebanon/Westfield/Noblesville Bypass

This would continue the above project with a bypass connecting the freeway to I 65 and around Lebanon to connect to existing SR-32 2 miles east of Lebanon The ultimate routing of this bypass has not been determined.

Upgrade and Operational Improvements (in lieu of bypass)

Routing through and east of Lebanon on new terrain may be becoming increasingly difficult as new development is taking up land that could be used as a potential location for a new route bypass. It is entirely likely that a freeway route for SR-32 from Lebanon to Noblesville is unlikely due to this development and a new route should be considered several miles to the north where land is less developed. Instead the roadway should be widened to 4 lanes wide (2-2 configuration with center median) or 5 lanes wide (2-1-2 configuration with continuous two-way left turn lane). along the routing from Lebanon through westfield to the west side of Noblesville. Some of this widening is already underway in Westfield and Noblesville to the east of US-31. Widening to the west of US-31 beyond Springmill Rd will prove problematic due to the corridor constrictions around the villages of Eagletown and Jolietville. Also widening the route through the city of Lebanon would be nearly impossible unless the highway is rerouted around the city.

32 Corridor in Motion - East

New Terrain route

Should a new terrain route be considered the new route would likely need to be built some 4-6 miles north of the existing SR-32 corridor and would likely carry a different route number such as SR-47 or SR-38 or other route number to be determined. This more logically would address long term traffic considerations for travel along the north side of the metro area than would considering a 32 upgrade. Making this route part of SR-32 may be impractical since it would cause the 32 routing west of I-65 to make a significant jog to the north in order to connect to 32 as it heads westward to Crawfordsville. It remains to be seen what INDOT will do following the CISTMS traffic study and it proposals to inprove highways around the metro area. this northern bypass would loop to the southeast once it passes north of Noblesville and connect to I-69 near Pendleton