FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Transportation has planned a multi-phase construction project for U.S. Highway 31 in Franklin. According to a press release, stage one of the six-phase plan will begin on April 1. The following traffic restrictions will be implemented during different parts of the construction process: Northbound and southbound U.S. 31 temporarily reduced to one lane in each direction over Canary Ditch All traffic shifted to northbound lanes of U.S. 31 All traffic shifted to southbound lanes of U.S. 31 During the first phase of the project, bridge rehabilitation and box culvert replacement will begin over Canary Ditch between Acorn Drive and Schoolhouse Road in Franklin. Drivers should expect the first stage of the project to be completed in August. INDOT expects phase two of construction to start in late April — months before stage one is finished. During phase two of the project, crews will modify U.S. Highway 31's intersections with Ninevah Road and Franklin Lakes Boulevard. INDOT indicated the second phase of the project will be completed in late November. The agency is expected to release additional information on the construction and corresponding lane closures later this year. The work INDOT is doing on the U.S. Highway 31 corridor in Franklin is expected to cost $66.2 million. INDOT anticipates all of its construction projects on the U.S. Highway 31 corridor in Franklin to be completed by 2028. Additional information on the U.S. Highway 31 projects is available here. INDOT is encouraging all drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions while construction in the area is ongoing. ...read more read less