COLUMBIA CITY – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb visited Steel Dynamics Inc. in Columbia City Wednesday to highlight a partnership with Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) and to outline the state’s vision for improving U.S. 30, a critical transportation corridor connecting Ohio to Ind. 49.
His visit comes amid growing concerns over safety and economic impact along the highway, particularly in the counties of Whitley, Kosciusko and Allen.
Holcomb started his speech by thanking the leaders of the U.S. 30 coalition for the paving the way for this day to occur. He said of Mike Smith, a huge IU supporter and INDOT commissioner, “He was racking up wins all over the state (in reference to IU Football being 10-0), thank you for patience and perseverance to getting us to this day.” He also praised former state senator David Long for leading the U.S. 30 coalition and former Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer for their dedication to the project and their passion for their community.
Smith proclaimed that when the construction on County Roads 600W and 700W was completed, along with the scheduled improvements in Allen county for the Amazon warehouse, that U.S. 30 from CR 600W to I-69 would be a limited access road. That announcement was met with great applause.
INDOT is proposing a new interchange at the current intersection of U.S. 30 and CR 700E and an overpass at CR 600E, according to a news release from INDOT. Funding for the proposed interchange and overpass will be split between Steel Dynamics and INDOT.
U.S. 30 is a vital route for freight and local traffic, but recent statistics highlight the need for significant improvements. Between 2017 and 2021, this section of the highway saw numerous accidents, particularly in Kosciusko, Whitley and Allen counties, with crashes ranging from minor incidents to fatal collisions. A study conducted by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) revealed that the stretch from Marshall County to the Ohio border saw consistent elevated accident rates compared to other similar roads. These problems were especially exacerbated at high-traffic intersections.
During his speech, Holcomb emphasized the state’s commitment to not only reducing these accident numbers but also enhancing the highway’s economic potential. Planned upgrades will include infrastructure enhancements, road widening and improved intersection designs aimed at easing traffic congestion and making U.S. 30 safer for both commercial and residential drivers.
The governor also pointed to how these changes could boost local economies, particularly for manufacturing giants like Steel Dynamics. “By making US 30 safer and more efficient, we can ensure smoother transportation for our industries and increase economic development opportunities along the corridor,” said Holcomb.
These improvements are part of the broader ProPEL initiative, a state-led program that focuses on long-term planning for key transportation routes, taking into account environmental, community and economic goals. With public and private sector support, the changes to U.S. 30 are expected to reduce accidents and improve overall traffic flow, while offering a stronger, more resilient infrastructure for Indiana’s future.
The state will continue gathering public input on the proposed improvements as the project moves forward. In the meantime, the changes are expected to have a significant positive impact on both safety and economic productivity along the corridor.
For more information and to make a public comment, visit www.propelus30.com.