INDOT improvement plans for U.S. 6 from S.R. 106 past S.R. 19 in Nappanee

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) LaPorte District, with funding from the Federal Highway Administration, intends to proceed with a roadway project along U.S. 6 in northeastern Marshall and southwestern Elkhart Counties. The proposed project involves the application of a new hot mix asphalt overlay and shoulder widening along U.S. 6 from the east junction of State Road 106 to 2.03 miles west of State Road 19.

The need for the project stems from the deteriorated condition of the existing pavement, shoulder, and many of the drainage structures along U.S. 6 as well as the lack of safe, multi-modal connectivity between Bremen and Nappanee.

The project involves milling approximately 1.5 inches of existing pavement and applying 4 inches of Hot Mix Asphalt overlay. Where the existing shoulders are less than 8 feet wide, they will be widened to 8 feet to accommodate horse-drawn carriages and bicyclists in the area. Additionally, there are 41 drainage structures within the project area that will be removed, replaced, repaired, or extended. The project will also involve regrading the roadside ditches to accommodate the widened shoulders. The proposed improvement will maintain the existing travel lane widths and will not introduce any added travel lanes or turn lanes. The first phase will involve complete closure of U.S. 6 to replace the structures at the east crossing of George Marberger Ditch.

Phases II through V will involve various lane closures to accommodate shoulder and overlay work. Phase VI will have intermittent closures of one lane at a time and have a mobile flagging operation in place. A detour will be in place during each phase of construction and will utilize S.R. 19, U.S. 20, and S.R. 331. This detour is planned to be in place for approximately 9 months. Short local detours will be available for use by horse and buggy traffic in the area.

The cost associated with the project is approximately $17,433,000 which includes preliminary engineering, Right-Of-Way, and construction costs.

Preliminary design plans are available for review at the Nappanee Public Library, 157 N Main St, the INDOT LaPorte District Office 315 Boyd Blvd, and on the INDOT LaPorte District Website (https://www.in.gov/indot/about-indot/central-office/welcome-to-the-laportedistrict/)

All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or submit comments to the attention of Chris Kunkel, Environmental Specialist, Lochmueller Group, 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 150, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268, at 317-334-6818 or via email at CKunkel@lochgroup.com on or before September 6, 2024.