Elkhart Co. residents speak out on proposed widening of US 20 east of SR 15

Residents in Elkhart County have a chance to voice their opinions after an informational meeting on a proposal to widen the stretch of the US 20 Bypass between SR 15 and CR 35.

The project will make US 20 east of SR 15 mirror the west end of US 20 with two lanes in both directions, a two-way left turn lane in the middle, and wide shoulders on either side.

Some of the homeowners along US 20 say they have trouble turning left onto the busy road or turning off the road and into their driveways.

Other homeowners and some businesses worry the widened road will take away their property.

INDOT says they will work with the public to form the plan for the project and that it will serve an important purpose.

“It is a safety and mobility project. When you get that many vehicles in that close of an area, there tend to be crashes,” said Nichole Thomas of INDOT. “And then also the efficiency. Drivers being able to get there with relative ease, not having miles-long backup. We never want to see that.”

However, one family business is concerned they could suffer the negative consequences.

“I’ve been here 40 years, and it means a lot,” said Esther Rogers, the owner of Hilltop Restaurant. “I’ve met a lot of friends, a lot of customers. It’s been generations, raised my family.”

“It’s been in the family for so many years. It means a lot,” she added. “It would make me very sad if it was taken away, and I know there’s a lot of people who would be very sad if it were taken away.”

The future of the Hilltop Restaurant in Middlebury is uncertain now that they hear there’s been a proposal to widen the stretch of the US 20 Bypass along which the restaurant sits.

“It will hurt our business, and I’d hate to see the Hilltop go away,” said Rogers. “I’d really hate to see it go away because a lot of people are going to be very disappointed.”

“We have employees who have been here for more than 20 years,” said Karl Miller, the manager at Hilltop Restaurant. “We have one gal who’s been here over 30 years but she’s in her 80s and she still wants to work here.”

Rogers and Miller are mother and son and many of their family members help run the business.

“It’s been part of my life since I was 13 years old,” said Miller. “It’s been a long time. This is always the place you went after school. This is where we came to either eat or work.”

They say the Hilltop is a place where locals and travelers alike stop in for a warm meal and a chat with friends.

“They’ve been coming here for years, generations back have been coming here,” said Rogers. “Their parents have been coming here. It just means a lot to everybody around here.”

Now, they simply hope they will be able to preserve the future of their business and their family.

“It doesn’t look great for us, but I hope there’s an option somewhere where we’re safe and we’re kept in the picture,” said Miller.

At Thursday night’s meeting, affected residents and business owners were invited to leave comments and suggestions for the project.