Transcript U.S. 231 Intersection Improvement in North Spencer County Heritage Hills High School Thursday, April 30, 2015

U.S. 231 Intersection
Improvement in North Spencer
County
Heritage Hills High School
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Welcome
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Rickie Clark, INDOT Office of Public Involvement
Purpose/explanation of public meeting
Meeting format
Visit our sign-in table
Information packets
Submitting public comments
Project display area
Opening Remarks
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U.S. 231 Intersection Improvement
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Indiana Department of Transportation
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Vincennes District Deputy Commissioner – Russell Fowler
Introduction of INDOT Team
Design Consultant – HNTB, Inc
Recognition of elected and local public officials
Stakeholders
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Community residents & citizens
Spencer County
Surrounding communities
Elected / local public officials
Commuters
Law enforcement
Emergency services
Trucking industry
Schools
Area employment centers
U.S. 231 Intersections
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Purpose and Need
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Review existing conditions
Identify possible future improvements to enhance
safety
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Consider range of alternatives
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Identify a preliminary recommendation
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Solicit input on preliminary recommendation
Project Development Process
Preliminary
engineering
assessment
Jan 2015 Special
Hearing
Examine
purpose & need
Develop
alternatives
Identify Project
Preliminary
design phase
Prepare
environmental
document
April 2015 meeting with
community stakeholders
Finalize project
design
Deliver Project
U.S. 231 Intersections
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Purpose and Need
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Review existing conditions
Identify possible future improvements to enhance
safety
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Consider range of alternatives
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Identify a preliminary recommendation
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Solicit input on preliminary recommendation
Alternatives
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Safety
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Access
Improving safety may
impact access and
mobility
INDOT is working with
community to strike
the right balance
Mobility
Alternatives
Alternatives analyzed during preliminary
engineering assessment
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No-Action
Lowering speed limit
Install flashing red
beacon on stop signs
Install additional signage
to warn drivers
Install intersection control
beacon
Refresh pavement
markings
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Realign intersections
Construct overpass
Close median openings
Roundabouts
Build interchange
Install traffic signals
Preliminary Recommendation
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J-Turn Intersection
What is a J-Turn
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It is an intersection that prevents direct crossing and
left-turn movements from SR 62 and SR 68.
The SR 62 and SR 68 movements are made indirectly
by making a right-turn, traveling approximately a
quarter-mile on US 231 and then making a U-turn.
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At the intersection, left-turns are allowed from US 231
to SR 62 and SR 68.
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The J-turn does not require the US 231 through traffic
to stop or yield.
J-Turn Intersection
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Why build a J-Turn?
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J-turns reduce a significant number of crashes.
 J-turns reduce the number of conflict points,
where one vehicle path crosses another.
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A standard intersection of a divided highway has
42 conflict points of which 24 are right-angle (tbone) conflicts.
A J-turn intersection has 24 conflict points of which
only 4 are right-angle conflicts.
J-Turn Intersection
J-Turn Intersection
How does a J-turn work?
From SR 62/SR68
Eastbound/Northbound
J-Turn Intersection
How does a J-turn work?
From SR 62/SR68
Westbound/Southbound
J-Turn Intersection
How does a J-turn work?
US 231 Southbound
J-Turn Intersection
How does a J-turn work?
US 231 Northbound
J-Turn Intersection
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SR 68
J-Turn Intersection
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SR 62
J-Turn Intersection
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Animation – courtesy of WISDOT
Submit Public Comments
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Submit public comments using the options
described in first page of information packet:
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Public Comment Form
Via e-mail
Participating during public comment session via microphone
Verbal comments recorded and transcribed for inclusion into
meeting transcript
INDOT respectfully requests comments be
submitted by Monday, May 11, 2015
All comments submitted will become part of public
record, entered into a transcript, reviewed, evaluated
and given full consideration during decision making
process
Next Steps
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Review public input
Finalize recommendation for a project
Prepare an environmental document
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Finalize preliminary design
Tentative timeframe for construction
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Refine Purpose and Need
Refine Preferred Alternative
Late 2015 – 2016
INDOT Vincennes District Office
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Contact information located within information packet
Visit district webpage to review project information and updates
http://www.in.gov/indot/2707.htm
Public Involvement Team
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INDOT Office of Public Involvement
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317-232-6601
[email protected]
INDOT Vincennes District Office
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Customer Service Center 1-800-279-5758
[email protected]
District webpage: http://www.in.gov/indot/2707.htm
Thank You