More direct route of U.S. 231 to I-65 gets a fresh look

Proposed study, called ‘a very preliminary effort,’ comes as Tippecanoe County contemplates economic growth in and near West Lafayette.

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MORE DIRECT ROUTE OF U.S. 231 TO I-65 GETS A FRESH LOOK

The idea of connecting U.S. 231’s southern leg along the edges of West Lafayette, through northern Tippecanoe County to a new interchange at Interstate 65 will be the focus of a new study, if approved Monday by county commissioners.

No firm map, beyond a rough, dotted line that traced that arc in Wabash-Tippecanoe Township land use plans approved in 2024, has been set out, Tim Stroshine, a transportation planner with the county’s Area Plan Commission, said.

A conceptual track of a northern corridor connecting U.S. 231 and Interstate 65, as seen in the Wabash-Tippecanoe Township land use plan from 2024.

He said the proposed $100,000 study – covered mainly with federal funding, with the county chipping in $10,000 and Lafayette and West Lafayette contributing $5,000 each – essentially would be a precursor to more detailed looks at environmental impacts, what it would take to engineer earth work, overall costs and routes.

“This is a very preliminary effort,” Stroshine said. “Everything so far in our planning efforts is still very conceptual and high level. … This is very close to the starting line, and people shouldn’t be concerned about someone coming in and trying to take their house or anything along those lines.”