The Indiana Department of Transportation conducted its second public meeting on the Propel U.S. 30 & U.S. 31 projects at Argos High School.
About 50 people attended the open house and presentation.
CMD Smith is the engineering firm hired by INDOT to conduct the PEL Study. The PEL is Planning and Environmental Linkages, a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process. The PEL process carries the information, analysis, and products developed during planning forward into the environmental review process.
Brett Lackey, Project Manager from CMD Smith discussed the study details.
In response to the comments the study has reviewed past plans, collected traffic data, spent time in the corridor to view the issues firsthand, and met with local economic development professionals. The feedback gathered was used to form the transportation issues and design outcomes. Neither roadway experiences congestion and Lackey noted that on U.S. 30 one-third of the traffic is truck traffic while on U.S. 31 about a quarter of the traffic is truck traffic.
In response to the safety concerns, the data showed between 2017 and 2021 there were more than 1,200 crashes in the study area with most of the crashes being rear-end or right-angle crashes. Data collected over the 5 years showed 5 fatal accidents and 118 personal injury accidents. Driveways and intersections on the highways constitute 39% of all crashes. 152 driveways access U.S. 30 or U.S. 31 creating potential safety concerns. Ninety-three driveways, or 61% of the total of all driveways need to better reflect INDOT’s access management guidelines improving safety.
The PEL study has determined that some infrastructure on 30, such as some ramps, some bridges, and some of the medians need spot upgrades.
When asked why the need to make changes on U.S. 30 & U.S. 31 the PEL Study addresses issues of conflict points of safety. They want to improve safety and reduce the number of and severity of crashes.
Nine goals have been developed based on the input received:
Provide transportation infrastructure that supports the local economy and economic development goals
Improve safety by reducing turning and crossing conflicts
Improve the safety of local access points
Maintain the character of the local communities in the corridor
Provide equitable solutions that consider the needs of traditionally underserved and disadvantaged communities
Accommodate non-vehicular modes of travel within and crossing the U.S. 30 corridor
Support emerging technologies related to infrastructure
Identify fiscally responsible improvements that avoid or minimize impacts on the human and natural environment
Align investments with staples
This summer they will start to identify and evaluate potential solutions and release a draft for public review. In the winter of 2023, a second public meeting will be held, and draft results of the alternatives will be released to the public. In late spring or early summer 2024, the alternatives will be narrowed down to more realistic results and the public will have a chance to review and comment on them.
Input from the communities is important and comments are being accepted until July 31.
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