SOUTH BEND — Debate is heating up again over a long awaited road expansion project in South Bend after word that the final hurdle to build it has now been cleared. This spring, crews will break ground on a one mile stretch of Miami Street just South of the Bypass, widening it from two to four lanes. But, some living nearby say the expansion is "overkill."
South Bend based Rieth-Riley Construction was awarded a $3.9 million contract for the project on Friday. Bids went out for it on Wednesday.
For the last few decades, traffic volume along Miami Street from Jackson Street to Kern Road has slowly grown.
Statistics from city engineers show the road now supports up to 12,000 vehicles a day. During particularly busy periods, the road can see up to 800 cars an hour.
17 years ago, South Bend city engineers began making plans to expand the road. But each time, final designs were shelved due to lack of funding or change orders.
The latest plan now includes four full lanes and a middle turn lane.
"We'll be building four lanes of road on Miami between Jackson and Kern. It will include sidewalks on both sides, a street lighting system, drainage system, pedestrian walkways and a wheelchair ramp," said South Bend City Engineer Carl Littrell.
Crews plan to break ground on April 1st. 80 percent of the $3.9 million tab will be picked up by the federal government because it's part of the Michiana Area Council of Government (MACOG) Transportation Improvement Plan. The other 20 percent--used for right-of-way purchases--will come from the city's local road and street fund, which includes money from the county's wheel tax and state gasoline tax.
Eight properties were targeted for permanent right-of-way purchase, Littrell said. 63 others will be used on a "temporary" basis during construction, then returned to their owners.
"Traffic already dictates the need for a four lane Miami," Littrell added.
But, plans to build it are accelerating even faster for another reason.
"INDOT has started relocation of U.S. 31. That'll make that highway a six lane limited access highway. The only interchange south of Ireland Road will be at Kern Road," Littrell said.
Engineers think that will force more traffic coming from the south to continue north on Miami instead of U.S. 31, perhaps as much as doubling the amount of cars on Miami within the next 5 years.
Additional lanes, Littrell said, should help alleviate potential problems.
But, many people who live nearby are worried those extra lanes will end up bringing high speed traffic too close to their homes--in some cases--just 25-30 feet from their front doors.
"I asked the engineers why they couldn't just put in a three lane with a dedicated turn lane, if they felt the need for it. And, of course, the reply was about the 31 expansion," said Arthur Scholtes, who has owned a home on Miami just South of Jackson for the last 22 years.
"So, that means now I'm going to have trucks and all the 31 traffic. And, if you're familiar with that, you know [how heavy it can be.] It's going to be going down in front of our houses now. 31 traffic on little Miami Street? That's not good," Scholtes said.
He isn't alone in that line of thinking.
In 2004, Scholtes joined more than 100 of his neighbors at a series of meetings with city planners and INDOT engineers. Many told the group they were worried about dangers like speeding traffic, terming the stretch as a "drag race" now where traffic regularly travels at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour.
But many say their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Asked if she felt her concerns made any difference, homeowner Deb Cseh didn't hesitate.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "They may have listened, but they didn't change anything."
Not true, replied Littrell.
"We heard what people had to say about it. We addressed the issues with INDOT, got design approval through the process, and it's been approved for federal aid," he said.
"I haven't seen enough traffic to warrant four lanes. Definitely not," said Cseh, who has lived just off Miami for about 15 years. "I think this will mean a lot of speeding, and I think it's probably going to make it harder for us to get out."
Again, Littrell disagreed.
"People entering the road between Jackson and Kern will find it easier to get out onto the road because of the middle lane available," he said.
"And, we don't see this as raising additional traffic. The traffic will come [regardless], and with a four lane roadway, we'll be better able to handle it. The speed limit is not going to be raise. It will remain a 30 mile per hour street," Littrell continued.
Other changes were also made in response to residents' concerns, Littrell said. Bikes lanes initially included in the project were taken out, and additional landscaping and lighting was put in.
But, that's done little to comfort many in the neighborhood, who feel their safety could be put at risk and their property values will be permanently damaged.
"My kids are grown, but our neighbors have little kids. I feel for them. And what about us? I just put in $15,000 worth of window so we could open them in the summer and enjoy it and reduce our energy costs," Scholtes said.
Asked if he planned to use them now that the road expansion is moving forward, Scholtes replied: "absolutely not."
"Don't get me wrong," he said. "I understand the expansion and the need for growth. I just don't see the need for a four lane highway. Who's going to want to buy [my home] with a four lane highway in front?"
Still, with preliminary engineering complete and utility crews already preparing to break ground, some say there's little left to fight for.
"We tried," said Cseh. "It looks like now, we just have to live with it."
