Although it doesn't look like it, work has started on the first phase of the U.S. 31 freeway that eventually will link the St. Joseph Valley Parkway in South Bend to U.S. 30 near Plymouth.

Phase 4, planned for 2013, also consists of two segments. One is from Gilmer Park to the existing U.S. 20 interchange. The other is from LaPaz to U.S. 30.

Because the new highway will affect some roads near its right-of-way, overpasses also are planned on Scott Street over U.S. 20; Fellows Street over U.S. 20; and Johnson Road over Main Street.