Marshall County and Argos officials express economic concerns related to future interchange

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. -- ABC57 News has been following efforts to improve the intersection of SR 10 and US 31 near Argos.

Today, Marshall County commissioners, Argos town leaders, representatives from INDOT, and elected state leaders met at the Marshall County Building this morning to discuss how planned changes to the dangerous intersection might impact the local economy. The meeting was open to the public, but there was no public comment.

INDOT has other projects planned as well along US 31 in the area, in addition to the planned interchange. Construction is expected to begin on the SR 10 and US 31 interchange in 2028.

An INDOT spokesperson tells ABC57 news that Dewey Street would no longer connect to US 31 and would end in cul-de-sacs on either side of the Highway.

Cassandra Bajek, INDOT Northwest District Public Relations Director, says closing off Dewey St. has to do with safety.

“When you have traffic merging in and out of an intersection like Dewey, that's too close to have an interchange right at State Road 10, because you're going to have vehicles merging in and out too close to each other, and that makes it really unsafe,” said Bajek.

Bajek says the proximity of Dewey to the intersection of SR 10 requires its closure, and that’s been known.

Friday's meeting focused on the economic impact of a new interchange due to changes to access on either side of US 31.

Ed Barcus, Argos Town Council President, shared his concerns on Friday.

“Our main focus, and I've mentioned this before, is making sure that Argos doesn't become the next small town in Indiana that has closed up or dries up because of a revamp to a major artery through the town,” said Barcus.

Barcus says the town has invested millions of dollars into the industrial park on the east side of US 31 and there have been improvements on the west side as well.

“The closure of Dewey Street, which is the town's portion on US 31, which is the county road, 17th road--that is the main artery to go to either side of the industrial park, we have the current Sequel and their development on the east side, and we've got ITAMCO on the west side,” said Barcus.

Stan Klotz, President of the Marshall County Commissioners, explained during Friday’s meeting that the county is expecting a lot of growth in that area in the next 10 to 20 years. But he thinks the changes will create a financial burden.

“Depending on what happens, it'll be anywhere from a $12-15 million burden on the town of Argos and the county to deal with Linden Street, Pond Street and both sets of the railroad tracks, which would be very expensive to build these roads up to handle the truck driving,” said Klotz.

According to INDOT, the exact design of the new interchange has not been decided yet but having an interchange at that location has always been the plan.

There will be an open house on Thursday, February 19th in Argos, where the public can review preliminary designs for those safety improvements.

“Once we've identified a plan, as was mentioned in the meeting as well, I think we'll be in a lot better position to be able to try to figure out what we need to do, what roads need to be improved. We still are probably going to advocate for a ride on, ride off there at Dewey Street, even though they tell us that they can't do it. We're gonna do everything we can. We're gonna fight for what's best for us, and again, try to achieve that balance of safety and economic development,” said Barcus.

Barcus says they will look to improve safety on surrounding roads in the area and address economic issues related to US 31 access in the future. He says the town and the county will combine resources, but it will be dependent on grants and additional assistance from INDOT.

“The one thing that we've stressed INDOT, and I brought up today in the meeting, was in their plans for any type of improvement at that that corridor there is they've noted that those roads are not currently able to support what is going to have to happen do if they shut those, those points off, but they've, they've identified that those are to be paid for by other sources, which the other sources are us in the county,” said Barcus.