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Indiana Notes

Started by mukade, October 25, 2012, 09:27:04 PM

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TheCatalyst31

Quote from: Revive 755 on December 14, 2024, 10:50:02 PM
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on December 14, 2024, 06:48:37 PMThere's no way INDOT is going to shell out for another Wabash River crossing.

Maybe if there's a Foxconn type development southwest of Terre Haute . . .

As a Wisconsinite, I sure hope another state doesn't try for a Foxconn development after how poorly ours has gone. We did get a couple new state highways out of the project, but they're fairly short and didn't cost nearly as much as a new bridge over a major river would.


westerninterloper

#3276
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 14, 2024, 08:18:32 PMI remember seeing a map years ago of a Terre haute bypass and it ran along the east side of the city.

I grew up in Terre Haute in the 1980s and a relative worked in the city redevelopment office for years, and here's what I've heard:

In the early 1980s, the state of Indiana proposed a western bypass of Terre Haute, from about the currently IN641-US41 junction, up past St. Marys to Ind 63. The challenge was the river crossing - it would have to cross a very wide floodplain. I believe the city administration - under Mayor P. Pete Chalos - did not support the bypass, and instead requested the North Third Street Overpass be constructed, which it was in the mid 1980s. I vividly recall the traffic reorientation for that project, up Lafayette Avenue and 4th and 5th Streets over to Locust.

An eastern bypass, including the now completed IN 641 southeast bypass, and a swing around the northeast side, back over the Wabash, to IN 63. One of my good friends lived in the neighborhood just north of US 40 in the path of that highway, and moved in part in anticipation of their house being taken. That never happened, of course.

To me, there is little to be gained from an eastern bypass of Terre Haute - there is very little traffic coming west on I-70 that's going to turn north on IN 63 toward Chicago. There just isn't much at all between Terre Haute and Crown Point, and anyone coming from Greencastle east isn't going to come through Terre Haute to get to Chicago. I think that's been the primary sticking point - there isn't a regional or national need to get around Terre Haute north <--> south. The new bypass does take a lot of traffic out of the south end - I use it all the time to get to my folks' places in Sullivan and Knox Counties.
Nostalgia: Indiana's State Religion

silverback1065

was it really worth building 641?

Life in Paradise

Quote from: westerninterloper on December 15, 2024, 12:10:00 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 14, 2024, 08:18:32 PMI remember seeing a map years ago of a Terre haute bypass and it ran along the east side of the city.

I grew up in Terre Haute in the 1980s and a relative worked in the city redevelopment office for years, and here's what I've heard:

In the early 1980s, the state of Indiana proposed a western bypass of Terre Haute, from about the currently IN641-US41 junction, up past St. Marys to Ind 63. The challenge was the river crossing - it would have to cross a very wide floodplain. I believe the city administration - under Mayor P. Pete Chalos - did not support the bypass, and instead requested the North Third Street Overpass be constructed, which it was in the mid 1980s. I vividly recall the traffic reorientation for that project, up Lafayette Avenue and 4th and 5th Streets over to Locust.

An eastern bypass, including the now completed IN 641 southeast bypass, and a swing around the northeast side, back over the Wabash, to IN 63. One of my good friends lived in the neighborhood just north of US 40 in the path of that highway, and moved in part in anticipation of their house being taken. That never happened, of course.

To me, there is little to be gained from an eastern bypass of Terre Haute - there is very little traffic coming west on I-70 that's going to turn north on IN 63 toward Chicago. There just isn't much at all between Terre Haute and Crown Point, and anyone coming from Greencastle east isn't going to come through Terre Haute to get to Chicago. I think that's been the primary sticking point - there isn't a regional or national need to get around Terre Haute north <--> south. The new bypass does take a lot of traffic out of the south end - I use it all the time to get to my folks' places in Sullivan and Knox Counties.

The western bypass would not have really helped much for the traffic going from Evansville to Indianapolis in those days (but IN-641 doesn't mean much any more to those travelers now either).  What it would have done is made a completed route from the Gary/Merrillville/Chicago area to Evansville and then southward with very little stoppage until one got near the Evansville area.  For years the Terre Haute stretch of US 41 could be done in 10 minutes or 45 minutes depending upon traffic.  Had there been an actual bypass, it would have helped truckers miss all those lights so that they could save their patience for hitting stoplight city in Evansville while going south.

SEWIGuy

Having lived in TH for a bit in the 1990s, I got the impression that a ton of the traffic south of I-70 is local and is accessing all the shopping areas. IN-641 was about getting traffic off those local streets to access the interstate. It was probably more of a consolation prize for missing out on I-69.

But the time for a IN-63 bypass is long gone. I just don't think there is a lot of traffic that enters from the north and intends to go through the entire town.

mgk920

Quote from: SEWIGuy on December 16, 2024, 01:17:06 PMHaving lived in TH for a bit in the 1990s, I got the impression that a ton of the traffic south of I-70 is local and is accessing all the shopping areas. IN-641 was about getting traffic off those local streets to access the interstate. It was probably more of a consolation prize for missing out on I-69.

But the time for a IN-63 bypass is long gone. I just don't think there is a lot of traffic that enters from the north and intends to go through the entire town.

The main problems that I can see with a west side bypass are the proximity of the Wabash River and the US Federal pens.

Mike

ITB

The project to rehabilitate the Sherman Minton bridge is now complete. It is expected the renewal will extend the life of the bridge by 30 years. Read more about here.

westerninterloper

Quote from: mgk920 on December 17, 2024, 03:48:25 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on December 16, 2024, 01:17:06 PMHaving lived in TH for a bit in the 1990s, I got the impression that a ton of the traffic south of I-70 is local and is accessing all the shopping areas. IN-641 was about getting traffic off those local streets to access the interstate. It was probably more of a consolation prize for missing out on I-69.

But the time for a IN-63 bypass is long gone. I just don't think there is a lot of traffic that enters from the north and intends to go through the entire town.

The main problems that I can see with a west side bypass are the proximity of the Wabash River and the US Federal pens.

Mike

I think there was also concern in TH about losing the admittedly smaller North-South traffic through the city.

When I-70 opened around 1970, traffic on Wabash Avenue through the city dried up. Perhaps they feared the same fate for 3rd Street from a 41 bypass. 
Nostalgia: Indiana's State Religion

silverback1065

I have seen what I believe is Indiana's 1st FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign. it is at the ramp from US 40 to 465/69N on the east side.

Great Lakes Roads

Quote from: silverback1065 on December 19, 2024, 08:23:00 AMI have seen what I believe is Indiana's 1st FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign. it is at the ramp from US 40 to 465/69N on the east side.

First one for central Indiana (more specifically, the Indy region), but there's a few out there already.

Bloomington

Evansville
-Jay Seaburg

seicer

The Sherman Minton Bridge, which carries Interstate 64 and US Route 150 over the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana, has fully reopened after a multi-year rehabilitation.

Completed in 1962, the double-deck steel through-arch bridge was named for Sherman Minton, a New Albany native and former U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice.

In September 2011, inspectors discovered structural steel deficiencies and cracking linked to the original use of T1 steel, known for its susceptibility to cracking. The bridge was closed for several months for repairs before reopening in February 2012. A more extensive rehabilitation from 2021 to 2024 has extended the bridge's lifespan by an estimated 30 years.

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jnewkirk77

Here's a bit of an Evansville update for you. Lots of work going on!

US 41 RECONSTRUCTION & PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
US 41 southbound traffic between SR 62/66-Lloyd Expressway and SR 66-Diamond Avenue is shifting to the northbound side, which was recently reconstructed. Two-way traffic is being maintained, but left turns will be prohibited at SR 62-Morgan Avenue, Columbia and Virginia streets. Drivers wishing to turn left at these intersections are directed to use the 41/Lloyd cloverleaf to go back north and turn right.

These restrictions are expected to remain in place through May 2025. (WNIN)

US 41 through Evansville, which was completed in late 1972, has been under construction in spots for the past several years; you may remember a truck damaging the newly-reconstructed SB bridge just north of Diamond back in 2020. That historic truss bridge, dating back to the 1940s, couldn't be repaired after the incident, and was replaced recently with a bridge of modern (i.e., BORING!) design. Pavement reconstruction northbound recently wrapped up after a couple years' worth of work.

Also on 41, but further south near Washington Avenue, the long-sought pedestrian bridge across the highway at Bosse High School is nearly finished, and while work remains to be done, INDOT is opening it with a temporary gravel approach. Concrete and painting work will be completed later. (WFIE)

"THE LLOYD 4U" WORK CONTINUES ... THROUGH 2028
The "Lloyd 4U" project is well underway, with restricted traffic between the Posey County line and St. Joseph Avenue as work progresses on the city's west side.  Farther east, intersection modifications at Vann Avenue (removing the signal and making Vann RIRO) and Stockwell Road (displaced lefts with J-turns) will wrap up sometime after the first of the year.

The busy Burkhardt Road and Cross Pointe Boulevard intersections on the east side will go under the knife starting when work concludes at Vann and Stockwell.

Work on the entire Lloyd corridor is not scheduled to be complete until 2028.

mukade

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on December 19, 2024, 04:40:17 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 19, 2024, 08:23:00 AMI have seen what I believe is Indiana's 1st FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign. it is at the ramp from US 40 to 465/69N on the east side.

First one for central Indiana (more specifically, the Indy region), but there's a few out there already.

Bloomington

Evansville

Crawfordsville (which has been up for a long time)

jnewkirk77

Dale has also had one for at least a couple of years.

Great Lakes Roads

#3289
Special letting on February 26th for the I-65 "Safety and Efficiency" project.

All of the existing signage on I-65 between I-70 (South Split) and I-465/69/74 will be replaced within the next two years... Say bye-bye to the button-copy signage, and the control city for I-70 east will be going from "Columbus, O.H." to "Dayton".

EDIT: The construction will be PITA as TWO lanes will be open in each direction for two construction seasons!
-Jay Seaburg

ITB


Tidbit about how the city of Crawfordsville in Montgomery County is trying to eliminate a railroad crossing on Market Street (SR 32) near its downtown core. It's an example of how many small towns and cities across Indiana are striving to improve safety and mobility via modest projects.

Crawfordsville may soon see significant population growth as it's located about 20 miles of the forthcoming LEAP Innovation District in Boone County. In addition, Tempur Sealy, in 2021, opened a new manufacturing facility on the outskirts of the city that is planned to employ 300.

silverback1065

Quote from: ITB on January 24, 2025, 04:05:26 PMTidbit about how the city of Crawfordsville in Montgomery County is trying to eliminate a railroad crossing on Market Street (SR 32) near its downtown core. It's an example of how many small towns and cities across Indiana are striving to improve safety and mobility via modest projects.

Crawfordsville may soon see significant population growth as it's located about 20 miles of the forthcoming LEAP Innovation District in Boone County. In addition, Tempur Sealy, in 2021, opened a new manufacturing facility on the outskirts of the city that is planned to employ 300.

Interesting that the City is spearheading this and not INDOT. INDOT owns the road. either way it is a good thing to remove rail crossings whenever you can. they're very dangerous. it will be interesting how they come up with removing it, I don't see how you can install a bridge there with the required heights and grades. it can be done but A LOT of property will be lost and roads will need to be rerouted. and I don't see how you raise the tracks either, their requirements are even more strict.

Revive 755

Quote from: ITB on January 24, 2025, 04:05:26 PMCrawfordsville may soon see significant population growth as it's located about 20 miles of the forthcoming LEAP Innovation District in Boone County.

And INDOT will probably forget to improve SR 32 between I-74 and I-65 until growth severely restricts what they can build.

tdindy88

Quote from: Revive 755 on January 25, 2025, 09:23:24 PM
Quote from: ITB on January 24, 2025, 04:05:26 PMCrawfordsville may soon see significant population growth as it's located about 20 miles of the forthcoming LEAP Innovation District in Boone County.

And INDOT will probably forget to improve SR 32 between I-74 and I-65 until growth severely restricts what they can build.

They're planning on creating passing lanes along that stretch of roadway.

silverback1065

32 is being relocated for the LEAP district just west of 65

ITB


Heads up on a major contract that is scheduled to be let next month. On February 26, bids for Contract #2 of the Revive I-70 program in Wayne County will be opened.

Of surprise, and disappointment, Contract #2 does not stipulate the widening of I-70 to three lanes in each direction. Rather the project, which stretches nearly nines in length, is more restorative in nature, rebuilding several bridges and reconstructing the roadways.

Well, so much for the ambitions to completely 3-lane I-70 between Indianapolis and the Ohio state line. INDOT, evidently, doesn't see the need at this time.


silverback1065

Quote from: ITB on January 27, 2025, 02:15:35 PMHeads up on a major contract that is scheduled to be let next month. On February 26, bids for Contract #2 of the Revive I-70 program in Wayne County will be opened.

Of surprise, and disappointment, Contract #2 does not stipulate the widening of I-70 to three lanes in each direction. Rather the project, which stretches nearly nines in length, is more restorative in nature, rebuilding several bridges and reconstructing the roadways.

Well, so much for the ambitions to completely 3-lane I-70 between Indianapolis and the Ohio state line. INDOT, evidently, doesn't see the need at this time.



hopefully the new bridges are built with widening in mind

seicer

Most likely, the level of service and AADT levels do not yet warrant three-laning between Richmond and Greenfield. I suspect the closeness of three interchanges in Richmond play a role as the AADT levels do not vary significantly.

Interstate 70, .5 miles east of US 27 in Richmond (STA 973360), has an AADT of 39,212, but this figure has increased from 33,059 since 2014.

Interstate 70, 1 mile east of SR 1 in Jacksonburg (STA 973320), has an AADT of 38,523, but this figure has increased from 32,649 since 2014.

Further west, Interstate 70, 1 mile east of SR 109 (STA 973290), has an ADT of 42,076, but this figure has increased from 37,008 since 2014.

Regardless, I can't wait for this reconstruction. The pavement is beyond the need for further patching and is one of the worst highways I've driven on in recent years.

boilerup25

This may have been already reported, but the US 52 / I-65 interchange northwest of Lebanon (Exit 141) is being replaced. There will be a diverging diamond interchange with full access to I-65 and a future technology park development. This interchange will likely be numbered Exit 143 on I-65.

Info link: https://www.52at65.com/


vdeane

Quote from: seicer on January 27, 2025, 07:39:54 PMInterstate 70, .5 miles east of US 27 in Richmond (STA 973360), has an AADT of 39,212, but this figure has increased from 33,059 since 2014.

Interstate 70, 1 mile east of SR 1 in Jacksonburg (STA 973320), has an AADT of 38,523, but this figure has increased from 32,649 since 2014.

Further west, Interstate 70, 1 mile east of SR 109 (STA 973290), has an ADT of 42,076, but this figure has increased from 37,008 since 2014.
Interesting, because for the way the road feels when driving it, I would have assumed that the AADTs were double those figures.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.