U.S. 31 at C.R. 400 South Intersection Improvement

Clifty Creek Elementary School May 22, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

Welcome

      Purpose and explanation of public meeting Public meeting format Visit our sign-in table Informational packets Submitting public comments Informal Q & A following formal presentation and comment session

Public Meeting

    Sign-in attendance information will be added to project mailing list.

A public meeting notice was mailed to known property owners within project area.

Announcement of this public information meeting was posted to INDOT website at: http://www.in.gov/indot/2370.htm

Electronic notification via e-mail

Project Stakeholders

           Indiana Department of Transportation Indiana Division Federal Highways Administration Bartholomew County City of Columbus Elected public officials Community residents and local citizens Emergency services Commuters Trucking and farming industries Commercial district/local businesses Schools

U.S. 31 at C.R. 400 South

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Indiana Department of Transportation

 Project Officials  Bill Read, Consultant Services Engineer / Project Manager

Indiana Division Federal Highway Administration Recognition of elected public officials

Project History

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INDOT identifies areas to address as independent projects on U.S. 31 from U.S. 50 to C.R. 50 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties U.S. 31 at C.R. 400 South

 Enhance safety and traffic flow at intersection

Roundabout proposal

 INDOT evaluation of intersection as candidate for roundabout treatment  Traffic signal proposed in interim

Project History

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2009 – INDOT proposed corridor project; a public hearing is held

  U.S. 31 from U.S 50 to C.R. 50 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties; corridor project not advanced Independent projects within corridor identified

2013 – Roundabout proposal introduced during December public meeting 2014 – Conversation continued regarding roundabout proposal during February public meeting 2014 – Public meeting scheduled in May to discuss advancing the project

U.S. 31 at C.R. 400 South

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Accident History

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Accidents

2011 5 2012 (prior to traffic signal) 9 2012 (after traffic signal) 3 2013 6 2014* 2 * After February public meeting Source: INDOT Seymour District Traffic Section

Breakdown

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Average of 6.4 accidents per year from 2007 to 2011 6 Accidents in 2013 4 injuries from 2011 to June 2012 16 injuries from June 2012 to April 2014

Comments

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Results of Second Public Information Meeting The results only include written comments from the second Public information Meeting For 7 Against 7 Neutral 4

Excerpts From Comments

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“The red light installed there was an improvement, and has worked very well.”

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“The stop light is working well, having cut the accidents in half.”

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“There have been fewer accidents since the stop light was installed.”

Other Comments

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1. “Let’s put in four left turn lanes with a traffic turn arrow.”

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2. “In the past several months, I have come within a hair’s breath of being T boned at the intersection by drivers on 400 S running the red light.”

Summary

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1. It appears that we are split equally with the public on the roundabout issue

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2. Over half of the accidents are angle related

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3. The severity of the accidents have increased substantially (4 in 1.5 years vs. 16 in 1.75 years)

Summary (continued)

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4. Roundabouts literally eliminate the angle type accidents, which equates to injuries

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5. Cost to add traffic signals and left turn lanes would be in the same cost range as a roundabout

Vehicular Conflict Points

Total Conflict Points: 32 Total Conflict Points: 8

Conclusion

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Based on the safety needs for this intersection, we plan to continue with the design of the roundabout .

Existing Intersection

Insert Existing Intersection Display

Proposed Intersection

      Single Lane Roundabout Designed for 20 year traffic needs   Currently 8,710 vehicles/day Future 9,210 vehicles/day Diameter = 156’ Right of way needs   1.5 acres permanent 0.5 acres temporary Long splitter islands Raised central island  10’ mountable truck apron

Roundabout Enhancements

     Add roadway curvature to help reduce speeds Rumble strips to be used to alert commuters Widen approaches to accommodate large trucks/combines Install highly visible signs in advance Roundabout will include lighting

Project Schedule

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Public Meeting – May 2014 Design phase activities – 2014 Environmental document – 2014 Real Estate activities – 2015

 Appraising    Negotiations/buying Utilities coordination/relocation http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/realprop/index.ht

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Construction proposed – 2016

Next Steps

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Public and project stakeholder input

 INDOT appreciates receiving input and will continue to engage the community as this project advances.

INDOT review and evaluation

 INDOT will continue to review and evaluate project development activities to minimize community and project stakeholder impacts.

Communication

 INDOT will continue to utilize the project mailing list, electronic notification and media coordination to communicate information regarding this project.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

 INDOT Seymour District Office Customer Service Center 185 Agrico Lane, Seymour, IN 47274 Phone: (877) 305-7611 Email: [email protected]

Thank You!

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Please visit with INDOT project officials Project Open House

 Project maps, displays, public comments table  INDOT project officials available for informal Q & A

Thank you for your attendance this evening http://www.in.gov/indot/2706.htm