PREVIEW: Homeowners forced to make way for new interchange

Editorial note: In this original report, the construction was referred to as an overpass project. That is incorrect. It is an interchange.

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. -- An interchange is planned along the S.R. 2, near the Amazon Data Center and the GM Electric Vehicle Battery Plant under construction, but some families may be forced out to make way.

Several homeowners got word that S.R. 2 will become an interchange with large off ramps.

Those off ramps will go right through homeowners' properties, so they will all have to move.

"We were told, 'County's going to move forward on this, start looking for houses, start packing, start packing getting ready to move. Okay, so I did that," stated Saint Joseph County Resident John Miller.

Miller has lived in his home nearly his entire life, buying it from his parents and settling there in his retirement.

But those plans have been turned on their heads, and Miller says County Officials told him to start packing about a year ago.

Their deadlines to move seem to come and go Miller says, so now he's stuck in limbo.

Belongings in boxes, just waiting for a timeline of events so he can properly plan for his eventual move.

Miller was told by the County that INDOT has taken over the project, and he has yet to hear about a purchase offer from either entity for his property. He doesn't want to stay in the way of progress, he just hopes they'll give him enough money to relocate.

But the lack of communication, he says, has him frustrated and impatient.

In fact, Miller and another neighbor even listed their homes on the market, to see if that would spur any action from the state or county.

Miller got an email from an INDOT Representative, telling him they will reach out within the next few months about acquiring his property.

But he's not alone, ABC57 also spoke with two other impacted homeowners.

ABC57's Annie Kate will have the full story June 11 on ABC57 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.