TRAFFIC ALERT: Median U-Turn Project Under Way at Intersection of U.S. 231 and SR 70

FROM INDOT

SPENCER COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions already in progress on U.S. 231 between Dale and Rockport for an intersection improvement project.

Currently, contractors are in phase one of construction, installing a reduced conflict intersection, otherwise known as a Median U-Turn, on U.S. 231 between at the intersection of State Road 70. Workers have the passing lanes both north and southbound closed while the new lanes for the median u-turn movements are installed. Also, as a part of phase one, work will begin on adding enhanced lighting at this location to assist with visibility for the new traffic movements. During this phase, one lane of traffic will remain open in either direction at all times and traffic will proceed through the intersection normally.

Phase two of the project is expected to begin in early to mid-June. During phase two, traffic will begin using the new reduced conflict or median-u turn configuration while the north and southbound driving lanes are closed for construction.

Depending upon weather conditions, work is expected to be completed by early to mid-September. Restrictions will be in place around the clock. Open travel lanes are restricted to 14-feet. Loads wider than 14-feet should seek an alternate route using the nearest state maintained interstate, U.S. or state routes.

About Median U-Turns

Nationwide, statistics show a more than 50 percent decline in crashes where Median U-Turns are installed. Fatal crashes decline by as much as 85 percent.

In June 2015, INDOT opened its first Median U-Turn intersection at U.S. 41 and State Road 114 in Northwest Indiana. From 2008-2015, the intersection averaged four crashes a year with almost 40% of those reported as injury crashes, including one fatality. In the first year of operation for the Median U-Turn, the intersection experienced one minor crash, and no injuries or fatalities.

In 2011, INDOT widened U.S. 231 in Spencer County to four lanes, and for the first three years, there were at least four deaths and nine injuries at the intersections with S.R. 62 and S.R. 68. Since the intersections were converted to Median U-Turns in the summer of 2016, crash rates have dropped significantly overall, with zero new fatal crashes.

You can read more about Median U-Turns at https://www.in.gov/indot/3660.htm.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

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