US 30 Coalition hosts panel on future of highway

WARSAW, Ind. -- The main issues with US 30 discussed at the panel included safety and speed concerns, local access and mobility for long haul drivers. The PEL plan addressed major infrastructure changes and issues to address and considered alternatives in the first two stages of the study.

A panel was hosted by the US 30 Coalition, a group hoping to change US 30 from a highway to a freeway. The panel shared the third phase of INDOT's US 30 Planning and Environmental (PEL) study.

Now, they have entered the third and last stage of the plan, taking a detailed evaluation of options, looking at costs, impacts and benefits.

President of the US 30 Coalition and former Mayor of Warsaw Joe Thallemer says the coalition still has a lot of work to do, but Wednesday’s panel was important for their plan.

“There’s a lot ahead of us, but this was a pretty pivotal point in the PEL study. We’re hitting the crescendo of the reports and we just want our legislators to understand what we’re trying to accomplish so when it’s time to decide how this thing's going to be funded, they certainly have their questions answered,” said Thallemer.

Many businesses along the corridor said they worry if they will be able to stay or expand in the community with the way US 30 is now. Laurie Maudlin, a consultant with the US 30 Coalition, explained they worry about the safety and reliability of US 30.

“The top businesses in Northern Indiana are extremely affected by US 30 and as it stands now, they can’t make promises to make the expansion that everybody wants to see. They are so concerned about the safety of their employees, and they’ve all been really impacted significantly by US 30 and how it functions right now,” expressed Maudlin.

INDOT will finish phase three of the study sometime next month and allow the public to respond with questions and concerns. A final report and recommendation are expected by the end of this year.

To follow along with the US 30 Coalition, check their website for updates. To get more information on the PEL study, visit the website as the third phase comes to a close.