INDOT Gives Presentation on Proposed Intersection Improvement Project in Dillsboro

If you were unable to make the meeting on Thursday evening, the presentation has been posted here.

INDOT photo. 

(Dillsboro, Ind.) – Indiana Department of Transportation officials were in Dillsboro Thursday evening to provide information about a proposed $2.6 million intersection improvement project.

The project includes reconfiguring the Front Street and Short Street intersections with U.S. 50 into reduced conflict intersections (RCIs).

RCIs are used as alternatives to traditional intersections on high-speed, four-lane divided highways. Instead of vehicles crossing fast-moving lanes of mainline traffic to go straight or turn left, motorists on secondary roads turn right in the same direction of traffic at the RCI, merge into the left lane, and then make a U-turn in the direction they intend to travel.

The purpose of the project is to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce crash frequency.

According to the INDOT presentation on Thursday, since 2021 there have been 64 right-angle crashes on U.S. 50 from motorists attempting to make left hand turns from Front and Short streets. Eighteen of those crashes resulted in injury, and one was fatal.

Studies have shown that RCIs decrease fatal and injury crashes by 81 percent, property-damage crashes by 58 percent, and crash severity by 68 percent.

The anticipated project timeline would see construction begin in spring 2023, with a project completion date set in fall 2024. Construction is expected to be completed under traffic shifts and lane closures.

The next step in the process is analyzing and evaluating the impacts to the natural and socio-economic environments. The environmental study is expected to be completed this spring.

Some of the items to be evaluated include streams, wetlands, floodplains, farmland, air quality, noise, hazardous material, public involvement, and commercial development.

For more information, visit INDOT: U.S. 50 Intersection Improvements in Dillsboro. 

To learn more at RCIs, click here.