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Redevelopment Commission orders mobility study for US‑20 corridor and approves Bendix Drive/airport feasibility study
Summary
Commissioners approved a $95,000 United Consulting mobility study for the US‑20 corridor and a DLZ/Mead & Hunt feasibility study of Bendix Drive and runway-extension options, including EMAS and runway-over-road scenarios that staff said could allow up to a 1,000‑foot extension.
The St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission on Nov. 12 approved two planning studies intended to shape traffic and airport-related infrastructure in the IEC/New Carlisle area: a United Consulting mobility study for the US‑20 corridor (not-to-exceed $95,000) and a DLZ/Mead & Hunt feasibility study of Bendix Drive centered on runway-extension scenarios.
Staff described the mobility project as a high-level study focused on north–south corridor connections from US‑20 south to State Road 2, including Strawberry Road and linkages toward Johnson Road. "So as we look at walnut, as we look at Timothy...we're starting to see a lot of traffic in those corridors," staff said, adding the study will consider intersection improvements, corridor selection and some housing/residential implications. When asked explicitly whether the study would consider whether to encourage or discourage residential development along potential corridors, staff said, "I think that absolutely is part of it."
On Bendix Drive and airport issues staff described prior work by the City of South Bend and the airport authority, then outlined three runway-extension scenarios (700–1,000 feet) and examined options such as lowering Bendix Drive, moving interchange elements, or using engineered materials arresting systems (EMAS) at runway ends. Staff said a 1,000‑foot extension could make the field capable of handling international cargo aircraft and that Mead & Hunt (the airport’s engineer of record) will partner with DLZ to use FAA‑grade data. "We'd look at 3 different scenarios for runway extension, 700 feet, and up to a 1000 feet," staff said.
Both studies were approved unanimously. Staff said the mobility study is expected to run about six months and could produce recommendations that lead to later design work, intersection improvements or other follow-on contracts. The Bendix Drive feasibility effort will coordinate with airport authorities and FAA‑certified engineering data through Mead & Hunt.
