PEL study planned for U.S. 31 and U.S. 30 corridors

MARSHALL COUNTY - In recent weeks, INDOT announced a Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study for the U.S. 31 and U.S. 30 corridors - U.S. 31 from the Hamilton/tipton County line to Marshall County, with

the exception of the U.S. 31 Kokomo freeway; U.S. 30 east of State Road 49. This high-level planning study will examine mobility, safety, economic development, land use, environmental impacts and other factors.

Stakeholders and the public will be asked to provide input early in the development of a menu of options to enhance safety and mobility and align with the economic and community development visions along these corridors.

What is a PEL study?

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a Planning and Environment Linkage (PEL) study is a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that:

Considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process, and

Uses the information, analysis and products developed during planning to inform the review of environmental impacts.

PELS are commonly used on larger scale projects to allow additional time for planning, identifying needs, gathering public input, and securing long-term funding. Much of the planning, environmental review and public involvement may roll over into the federally-required environmental process if a project(s) is moved to development.

What is the PEL timeline?

The PEL will be a multi-year, comprehensive study that is anticipated to begin by early 2022.

How will this affect existing U.S. 31 and U.S. 30 projects?

As the PEL study plays out, development of most projects along the U.S. 31 and U.S. 30 corridors will be paused awaiting results of the PEL study. In Marshall County, however, development of the proposed rail bridge over the tracks north of State Road 10 will continue.

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INDOT is excited about this path forward and engaging in a higher level of public involvement as we continue to take Indiana’s transportation network to the Next Level.

PHOTO PROVIDED Northeast Indiana business leaders and legislators worked together on the effort to turn U.S. 30 into a limited access freeway, which now has the state’s approval for a study to start the process.