HAMLET, Ind. – Concerned farmers are keeping a close eye on the latest proposal to convert U.S. 30 across much of northern Indiana into more of an interstate highway.

Food producers with fields on both sides of the highway could be impacted heavily from intersections that would have to be eliminated for faster and safer travel. Farmers like Larry Jernas, of Knox, don’t want the additional time and cost of driving heavy machinery to the next closest intersection to cross the four-lane highway, then double back to their fields, especially if a lot of miles are added to each trip.

Right now, many farmers only drive a mile or less to the nearest county road intersecting with the highway to cross. “With big equipment, it’s going to be a pain if you have to travel a long ways,” he said.

Jernas raises corn, soybeans and cattle on about 1,500 acres north and south of U.S. 30 near the Starke-LaPorte county line. He’s also worried about safety.

Unless overpasses are built over an upgraded highway, Jernas said the fewer roads still available to cross the highway would become more congested with combines, planters and other farm machinery. He’s not sure how many of those typically two-lane county roads are capable of handling an increase in such traffic.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is again closely examining the idea of U.S. 30 becoming more of an interstate from Indiana 49 at Valparaiso to the Ohio state line.

INDOT hosted the first in a series of public meetings at Oregon Davis High School near Hamlet on Nov. 30. An overview of what’s currently happening with the proposal was explained. The process of seeking input from citizens on how the four-lane highway should be upgraded was also started.

Reconstructing U.S. 30 to reduce travel times and improve safety has been studied previously. The current effort, while not totally starting from scratch, is applying “a fresh set of eyes,” said Will Wingfield, a member of the INDOT study team.

Wingfield said a new innovative transportation planning system is now being followed to find out from the public how the reconstruction should be tailored to best fit the needs of their respective communities.

He said some of the suggestions from residents will be incorporated into the design.

“We’re not coming to the public with a specific recommendation. We’re listening,” he said.

Richard Minker, a lifelong resident of Oregon Township, raises corn and soybeans on more than 40 acres on a farm that has been in his family since the 1940s.

The potential impact on him would not be as much since all his ground is on the north side of U.S. 30. His extra travel would be limited to crossing on his trips to the elevator in Hamlet, which is on the south side of the highway.

Minker said he favors upgrading U.S. 30 if it’s going to help the local economy and doesn’t cause a lot of extra travel for farmers.

“A little bit won’t make much difference, but a lot is going to hurt a lot of people,” he said.

Others living near U.S. 30 wonder if an upgraded highway would jeopardize the future economic health of their communities.

Jim Jessup, of Hanna, said he understands quicker travel is good for commerce, but the local economy could suffer if the project was not done correctly. He said there could be fewer travelers stopping in if access to cities and towns from an upgraded highway is less convenient.

Jessup said he definitely agrees with the need to improve safety on U.S. 30 and he’s glad INDOT is committed to public input shaping the improvements. However, he said there’s going to be pain regardless of how a reconstruction would take shape.

“You’re going to have winner and losers. There’s no doubt about that,” he said.

State Sen. Mike Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, said he’s cautiously optimistic about the benefits of an upgraded highway but he’s not taking a position until the process has run its course.

“To be closed minded and not even know what the plan is would be irresponsible. I want to wait and see, see what the plan is going to be and see what it turns into,” he said.

According to INDOT, a rough draft of the design will be presented for the public to review and offer alternatives in late 2023 and early 2024. The goal is to submit the final plans for approval in the fall of 2024.

Wingfield said no timetable has been established yet for possible construction because the project is very early in the planning stages. He also said doing nothing is on the table as a viable option.

Public input is being accepted by INDOT throughout the process at ProPelus30.com and other web-based platforms such as Facebook.

Wingfield said INDOT representatives will also be maintaining office hours at various locations along U.S. 30 to receive input and respond to questions.

Office locations, along with the dates and times they’ll be open, are still being developed but will be announced once established, according to INDOT.

Farmer Kurt Hayes, whose 1,800 acres near Hamlet are split by the highway, said he prefers nothing be done.

Hayes said the price some people are bound to pay from a reconstruction would outweigh the benefits of U.S 30 travelers saving “five to 10” minutes in travel time. “There’s all kinds of things and issues. I just don’t see how that’s going to work,” he said.