WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) _ State highway officials are optimistic that in mid-September they'll be opening a new bypass around West Lafayette that is expected to divert some traffic away from the Purdue University campus.
 
  The new four-lane roadway will take U.S. 231 on a 5.3-mile route around the south and west sides of the city. Work began in 2011, and state highway department spokeswoman Debbie Calder says it is expected to open the week of Sept. 16.
 
  Calder tells the Journal & Courier that construction crews have made tremendous progress and are on schedule.
 
  Purdue campus planning director John Collier says the new bypass should take much of the current through traffic that uses state highways around the campus. He says that should improve pedestrian safety.