What’s going on with the State Road 23 project?

by Kirk Mason (mason@wsbt.com)

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What’s going on with the State Road 23 project?

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By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 25, 2009 at 11:46 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — It's a project that has the attention of South Bend leaders, the state of Indiana, the University of Notre Dame and people who live near campus.

In this Good Question, we follow up on past stories we've done on the future widening of State Road 23 in South Bend.

WSBT's Kirk Mason has the latest on the project that now includes plans for a new park.

Visit the area south of the Notre Dame campus right now and you can see signs of construction everywhere — a new Cancer Research Center, the new Eddy Street Commons project, and the new Innovation Park, which is a state-sponsored technology park with Notre Dame.

But one place you don't see construction yet is at the Five Points intersection. Through Indiana Toll Road lease money, Indiana is trying to fast track a state-paid project that will widen 23 from two lanes to four, from Edison Road to Campeau Street.

Here is the latest according to South Bend City Engineer Carl Litterell: Environmental work should be wrapped up this spring. After that, INDOT hopes to hold a public hearing in May where local residents can come and express their views. After that right-of-way starts — that's the process where homes and businesses in the way are bought out.

Carl Litterell expects that process to take a year, although it can take more time or less.

That means construction could start in 2010, but an INDOT spokesman says at this point they can't say when it will start.

Around 12 homes are expected to be removed, and Frankie's Restaurant will be re-located.

The project will also include a new park near the Boy Scout headquarters. That part of the project will be at least partially paid for through extra Toll Road lease money the city of South Bend received.

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