Michiana Area Council of Governments

Local communities are considering future transportation plans, but uncertainty over federal funding is creating challenges.

The area saw more than 400 crashes during the five-year study period. Most were rear-end crashes, but there were three fatal crashes in that period.

Public information sessions will be held tonight and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Moran Elementary School.

Local residents can share their thoughts on the region’s roads and transportation network. The Michiana Area Council of Governments is starting the process of updating its Michiana on the Move plan.

Those who drive through the Osceola area have a chance to weigh in on the future of its railroad crossings. Public listening sessions will be held on Tuesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Moran Elementary School.

The Michiana Area Council of Governments took action Wednesday on Interurban Trolley cuts and U.S. 30 intersection changes.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is looking to install “median U-turns” at State Road 19 and Kosciusko County Road 800 West. That would likely mean vehicles crossing U.S. 30 would first have to turn right, make a U-turn and go back to the intersection.

Routes 32 and 35 would start an hour later on weekdays and end several minutes earlier. The first two trips of Route 30 would be shortened, and the first round trip of Route 50 would be discontinued. There would also be cuts to Saturday service.

More than $24 million in state funding was awarded to area road projects last year, according to the Michiana Area Council of Governments’ annual review. Meanwhile, 40 local projects equating to almost $136 million dollars in federal funding are planned over the next four years.

The Interurban Trolley could see an eight-percent service reduction in the coming months. Transit Planner Aidan McHugh told MACOG’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee on Wednesday that a draft plan would eliminate 11 of the top 15 least cost-effective trips.