GRANGER — There was frustration Wednesday night over a plan to widen State Road 23 in Granger. Some worry it won't do enough to stop traffic problems.

The $5 million project would add three new lanes on a three mile stretch of the road between Adams and Bittersweet.

But the bigger problem is trains. A state study in 2000 logged an average of 38 a day, leaving cars backed up along the two-lane road. Seven years ago some people decided enough was enough, so they started asking the Indiana Department of Transportation to help.

INDOT's plan includes two additional lanes and a center turn lane.

But some worry that won't do enough to alleviate the problem.

"I think it's just going to make more of a bottleneck at the railroad tracks," said Granger resident Sheri Colan. "I don't think it will solve the problem!"

"It's just going to be a disaster," said Bill Corbett, who owns Yesterday's restaurant just a few yards from the tracks. "Because you'll have the same problem, just with four lanes of it instead!"

Some business owners are also worried the project could cut into their profits, because the new lanes will cut into their parking lots, and in some cases leave very little room between their buildings and traffic.

Their suggestion is an overpass or underpass.

But constructing the bridge at the current site would require a huge amount of land that businesses now sit on, and would cut off access to many established businesses nearby. It would also cost the state an additional $20 million to construct.

Some have suggested moving the road a few blocks north, and building an overpass or underpass there, but INDOT says that would cost even more money, and doesn't have the level of support from the community to even make it a serious option.

That's why INDOT's LaPorte County customer service manager says the idea has been pulled off the table, and the state is moving forward with the widening plan.

"If we were to put in a bridge, it would limit the access to the town of Granger and it would cost a lot more," said Angie Figaras. "This plan to add lanes will help alleviate some of the traffic problems."

There were plenty of requests for the project at Wednesday night's meeting too. Some praised the new sidewalks added to the plan, while others pushed for full bike paths, new landscaping and lighting, and potentially sewers — though most of those improvements would have to be made on St. Joseph County's dime, not the state's.

INDOT says all of the suggestions from the meeting will be used to help formulate their final project plan. They hope to break ground by 2009.