Consultants studying the extension of Willowcreek Road are sharing some of their preliminary plans. The 4.6-mile extension would head south from Porter County Road 700 North, join the current Jones Road alignment near Wheeler and then diverge southwest, before ending at U.S. 30 east of 725 West. It would be a two-lane road designed for speeds of 45 miles per hour, with a 10-foot-wide multi-use path along the west side of the road.
Eric Wolverton is a project development director with American Structurepoint. In a video presentation at WillowcreekExtension.com, he says the existing north-south roads in west-central Porter County currently have low ratings for traffic flow, with few direct routes.
"A 15-mile gap exists between the I-65 and State Road 49 direct connections between the east-west interstates and U.S. 30. A five-mile gap exists between County Line Road and State Road 149 in the more immediate vicinity of Willowcreek Road. An additional north-south connection for travelers would enhance connectivity by providing a route to fill in the grid system of major arterial roadways," Wolverton said in the video.
Porter County Development & Storm Water Director Bob Thompson notes that a direct north-south connector has been proposed in county master plans since 1960.
Consultants will continue to take comments on the plans until December 15. If the project continues to move forward, construction could begin in 2025.
