News release from the Indiana Department of Transportation:
Median U-Turn in Allen County Expected to Open Tomorrow
New intersection at U.S. 30 and S.R. 101 designed to reduce crashes, improve safety
ALLEN COUNTY (September 25, 2018) – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that the District’s first median U-turn, located at U.S. 30 and S.R. 101 in Allen County, is expected to open to traffic tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, Sept. 27, weather permitting.
Drivers may see work continuing in the median through early October as contractor crews work to remove the current crossover. Be cautious of workers present in the construction zone.
The median U-turn is an alternative to traditional roadway intersections on a divided four-lane highway. Instead of motorists crossing fast-moving traffic from two directions, drivers at a median U-turn intersection turn right in the same direction of traffic, merge into a dedicated left turn lane and then make a U-turn in the direction they intend to travel. Although drivers will have to travel slightly farther to get where they want to go, using median U-turns can take the same or less time than trying to wait for a safe and appropriate gap to cross all lanes of traffic.
Median U-turns have been shown to greatly reduce or eliminate injury crashes that are common when drivers attempt to cross busy divided highways.
In 2015, INDOT’s first median U-turn opened to traffic at U.S. 41 and SR 114/CR 400 in Newton County. Since then, one of the worst intersections in the state for injury accidents has had only one injury accident in over three years — representing an 80 percent reduction in injury crashes — despite a 14 percent increase in traffic in that time. In addition, there has also been a reduction of non-injury crashes since the median U-turn was installed.
About Next Level Roads
Next Level Roads is Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s initiative to elevate Indiana’s economic competitiveness and quality of life for all Hoosiers through investment in transportation infrastructure. This sustainable, data-driven plan dedicates more than $30 billion over the next 20 years to improving the conditions of existing roads and bridges – both state and local, finishing major projects, and building for the future. Next Level Roads is enhancing Indiana’s position as a leader in freight and logistics and empowering cities, towns and counties to build communities that attract jobs and talent. Learn more about Next Level Roads at in.gov/indot.
About the Indiana Department of Transportation
INDOT empowers businesses to deliver Indiana to the world and bring the world to Indiana by providing a transportation network that is second to none. The agency builds and maintains more than 28,000 lane miles of highway and 5,600 bridges, and provides oversight for 117 public aviation facilities and more than 4,000 miles of active rail lines. Indiana ranked as the #1 state in the U.S. for infrastructure in CNBC’s 2016 “Top States for Business” ranking.Learn more about INDOT at in.gov/indot.
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