The Indiana Department of Transportation has outlined plans for some safety improvements along route 63, just north of the Interstate 74 interchange. But some citizens who attended a public hearing in Cayuga late Wednesday voiced concerns the changes might make matters worse.
Bill Pickett has the story…
INDOT’s plan includes raised curbs that would force traffic exiting along the road just south of the Pilot station to turn right (north) onto route 63. An exit road behind the station would be extended further north in an effort to improve safety for traffic entering route 63 to go either north or south. A new median crossover would be built in that area and the one just to the south would be permanently closed.
Vermillion County Indiana Commissioner RJ Dunavan fears the proposed changes would cause more accidents….
{AUDIO: ‘’I think INDOT sometimes, you know, looks at these things and tries to do the cheapest version of things. And I think that needs to be taken out and look at the most safest way to improve the intersection. And with these RCIs (Reduced Conflict Intersections) and J-turns, like the Pilot representative said – you’re moving the crash data from one section to a new section – and we don’t want that.’’}
Megan Delucenay, a public relations spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Transportation, says the citizen concerns will be reviewed further…
{AUDIO: ‘’That’s something we look at with every project we do. We take a look at multiple alternatives. Sight distance – we take into consideration when we make these improvements. That’s why this public comment period is very important. We want to hear the concerns the community has. We want to address them as best we can.’’}
There were 18 crashes – including one fatality – along that small stretch of route 63 between 2015 and 2018. The purpose of the project is to reduce accidents. The work is proposed to be completed during 2024.
Citizens have until March 1st to submit written comments about the project. A page regarding the project can be found on the Indiana Department of Transportation website. Written comments may also be submitted to: Metric Environmental, LLC, ATTN: Susan Castle, 6958 Hillsdale Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250.
