By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH – U.S. 31 as an airport runway?
That may not be as far fetched as it seems as plans move ahead for both the U.S. 31 relocation and the expansion of the Plymouth Airport.
As the state begins construction on the new highway, the current U.S. 31 will be “relinquished” to Marshall County. As it so happens, the stretch of the road between Berger Welding, near LaPaz, and 4A Road is perfectly straight and almost exactly the 5,000 foot length being looked at for the airport expansion runway length.

“Instead of expansion why not make U.S. 31 north of 4A Road the new airport?” was the question posed by Aviation Board President Tom Flynn at a meeting on Tuesday.
As part of the project, a ramp that joins the road to Michigan road just south of LaPaz will be removed also clearing way for the possibility.
Flynn stated that the idea had actually begun as a humorous observation among the Marshall County Commissioners, who will have responsibility for the stretch of highway once it is relinquished to the county. Commissioners President Tom Chamberlin shared with him that they had observed it would make a nice runway.
“I actually have to give Tom (Chamberlin) credit for the idea,” said Flynn, with Chamberlin in attendance at the meeting, saying he felt it was an idea worth looking at.
The plan would also allow the State Highway Department to keep their substation in Plymouth. Steve Giese Superintendent of the State Highway substation in Plymouth said that he would like to keep its location here but if a suitable place couldn’t be found, the highway would relocate, “north”, or to St. Joseph County to be exact.
The Indiana Department of Transportation is seeking a location with highway access as well as city water and sewer facilities to use as the new substation. If a suitable spot couldn’t be found in Plymouth the garage would be located near the U.S. 20 Bypass in St. Joseph County.
Part of the proposal would be the “swap” of properties — the airport taking over the current highway garage and buildings and the highway moving into the current airport. The arrangement would also leave nearly 200 acres of property on the current airport grounds for the city to develop, Flynn explained, and that money from such would go to airport operation or the repayment of federal loans.
There was no consensus from the board on action with member Steve Hupka saying that he likes the idea of a “city” airport and questioned the need for a 5000 foot runway in the first place.
“The economy dictates growth and the economy isn’t going that great,” he said.
It was decided that Flynn would pursue the possibility of the idea with Federal Aviation Administration officials and engineers for the project to decide on its feasibility before any decision is made.
The Board also made a recommendation on the idea of creating a new entity, a countywide “Airport Authority,” as opposed to the current makeup as a Board of Airport Commissioners.
The board made a resolution to encourage Mayor Mark Senter to pursue talks with county government authorities on the possibility of forming such a countywide authority.
The move would add several seats to the board and give the county a say-so in airport matters. While the new authority could levy taxes, it could not do so without approval of the county and the Mayor of Plymouth.
“I have no problem with getting the ball rolling on this but I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth if we find out later in this process it’s not the way to go,” said Board Member Phil Bockman. “I still don’t see any problem with beginning to explore the possibilities.”