Fulton County Commissioners on Monday received updates from the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council, pursuing grants on behalf of the county, and Parsons, a consulting firm studying the U.S. 31 North corridor.
Steven Ray, executive director of the regional planning council, noted the council celebrates its 10-year anniversary this October. Over the decade, he said, the council has secured $22 million in funding for its six-county region of Fulton, Cass, Clinton, Howard, Miami and Tipton counties.
He also noted that funding doesn’t include another $30 million awarded to the region in the first round of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, READI. Those grants dollars, combined for $3 billion in total of public and private investment, will be used to finance 21 projects across the six counties.
In Rochester, $1 million of first-round READI funding is being matched by the city and county for the extension of Apache Drive and Peace Tree Drive on the city’s southwest side. Ray noted that project is about 65 percent complete.
Awards for READI 2.0 are to be announced April 11. Fulton County seeks funding for a new industrial park off Indiana 25, south of U.S. 31, and an expanded child care and pre-school program with Rochester Community Schools.
Ray also detailed the planning council’s return on investment, calculating $14 for every dollar and $11 per capita across all six counties.
He provided commissioners with an updated strategic plan for the region, as well as a new two-year contract for the planning council’s continued services.
A more formal agreement with the county than in the past was suggested.
Since the planning council formed in 2014, payment for its services came from the Fulton Economic Development Corp. budget. Commissioners on Monday were in favor of Ray’s recommendation that the county pay the planning council directly now and remove that line item from the economic development corporation’s budget.
Commissioners requested more time to review the approximately 200-page strategic plan for the region and will revisit it during their next meeting, April 15.
A visit by Parsons’ Alex Lee was especially timely, as the ProPEL U.S. 31 North study team, along with U.S. 31 South and U.S. 30 teams, released last week a Draft Level 2 Screening Report.
The report evaluates future potential solutions that advanced from the Universe of Alternatives, or Level 1 screening process. Detailed are concepts at six intersections along U.S. 31 in Fulton County. An analysis of benefits, impacts and costs is included, and a no-build alternative is carried forward as a baseline at all locations.
Those intersections include Olson Road; County Road 100 North/Sixth Street; Indiana 25; Old U.S. 31/Southway 31; Wabash Avenue; and County Road 650 South.
Lee noted INDOT already has plans in the works for an overpass at County Road 700 North and interchanges at Indiana 110 and 10. Those are separate from the study, with construction expected to occur in fall of 2027.
Safety continues to be one of INDOT’s main priorities in the study, Lee noted, adding maintaining access onto and across 31 is also being evaluated by design engineers in this new screening process.
Lewis asked for a clarification on reduced conflict intersections, RCIs, one alternative moving forward in the screening process. Lee noted there are several types of RCIs, but J-turns are part of that family. He added his team has heard much opposition to such, but maintained they do improve safety when applied properly.
Fielding questions from the audience, Lee heard concerns about limiting access to U.S. 31, as well as what that might do when mutual aid is requested for a fire. Lee noted his team is aware of such concerns and has been in contact with local fire departments.
In answering another question about why some intersections were left out of the new screening report, Lee noted secondary intersections would be researched further in the next screening process.
Public comments on the draft screening report are being accepted through April 30. An interactive map showing location-specific alternatives with videos and graphic animations can be found at propelus31.com/alternatives/#Map.
Physical copies are available to view at the Akron Public Library, Fulton County Public Library, Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, Community Resource Center, Rochester City Hall, Fulton County Office Building and Peru Public Library.
In addition, copies are available at the following times: April 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Futon County Public Library; April 6, 3-5 p.m., at the Macy fire station; and April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Fulton County Public Library.
INDOT is accepting public comments at ProPELUS31.com, at community office hours in April and via mail. Written comments may be mailed to Parsons at 101 W. Ohio St., Suite 2121, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.
After public comments are considered, INDOT will publish a final Level 2 Screening Report at ProPELUS31.com.
©2024 The Sentinel Corporation