UPDATE: On the morning of May 23, crews are working on pavement markings, and, by the afternoon, the southbound lane of traffic will be moved to travel over the new bridge on the northbound side (the northbound lane was moved on Saturday, May 18).

The new traffic pattern will see the northbound lane converted to two-way traffic and the southbound lane closed for continued bridge construction.

As of May 23 afternoon, crews say no traffic on U.S. 31 will have to stop at the tracks between 13th and 14th Road, a welcome update ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

ORIGINAL: MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. - Bridge construction on a section of U.S. 31, south of Plymouth, begins on or after April 3, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.

The $28.7 million project, by contractor Phend & Brown Inc., will see the construction of bridges on U.S. 31 over the Elkhart Western Railroad between 13th and 14th Road.

During the project, U.S. 31 will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

To start off, the inside left passing lanes will be closed in each direction to build crossovers for future phases of the project.

After the crossovers are built, southbound U.S. 31 will be converted to two-way traffic while crews work on the bridge on northbound U.S. 31.

Detours will be in place for traffic needing to cross U.S. 31 at 13th or 14th roads or make left turns.

Drivers will be able to turn right during construction.

This is a multi-year project that is expected to end in 2025. Drivers should expect long-term lane closures in the area through the duration of the project.

Please drive carefully in construction areas.