Indiana Notes

[NWI_Irish96]

Worthsville Rd is open today, anyone been down there yet?

Used the northbound exit Thursday morning on the way to the in-laws.  I don't get how this makes traffic flow better than other interchanges.  I got stopped at both stoplights. 

[silverback1065]

Worthsville Rd is open today, anyone been down there yet?

Used the northbound exit Thursday morning on the way to the in-laws.  I don't get how this makes traffic flow better than other interchanges.  I got stopped at both stoplights.

It has to do with the delay caused from left turn phases, since every movement is using right turns, it should theoretically make traffic better, not sure how much better though. 

[cjw2001]

Worthsville Rd is open today, anyone been down there yet?

Used the northbound exit Thursday morning on the way to the in-laws.  I don't get how this makes traffic flow better than other interchanges.  I got stopped at both stoplights.

The biggest benefit is safety, as it eliminates left turns that cross opposing traffic.  The traffic signals are only two phase, which results in higher green times.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAwwl3EtN4

[silverback1065]

Is there a new type of intersection that isn't under study in Indiana?

Nexus 6P

[US 41]

I think left exits for diamond interchanges would improve traffic flow. Then there would only be 1 stoplight rather than 2. I think there used to be one of these on US 41 north of Chicago, near Waukeegan (aka the free route to Milwaukee).

[Revive 755]

I think left exits for diamond interchanges would improve traffic flow. Then there would only be 1 stoplight rather than 2.

You would improve traffic flow on the arterial at the expense of safety on the freeway - left side exits don't have a good safety record.

I think there used to be one of these on US 41 north of Chicago, near Waukeegan (aka the free route to Milwaukee).

You are thinking of US 41 at IL 132, which was a left side ramp SPUI before its conversion to a completely split phased SPUI.  I-290 at IL 43/Harlem Avenue and I-290 at Austin Avenue also are of the left side ramp SPUI design, and both contribute to issues with traffic on I-290.

[silverback1065]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but SR 28 & US 31 interchange in Tipton is supposed to be driveable by November 2016.  This of course could change due to weather and other unforeseen delays.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

Plans are underway to widen I-65 from south of U.S. 30 to (for now) Indiana 2. Part of that work includes replacement of the Kankakee River bridges at the Lake-Newton County line.

The $70 million project is set to begin in 2017, with the aim to have the project finished by November 2018.

[silverback1065]

Wow they're really committed to widening 65, but why no action at all on 70? How do traffic and truck counts compare on the routes?

Nexus 6P

[nwi_navigator_1181]

While I try to find the information, keep in mind that Interstate 65 is the only major freeway connecting central Indiana to Chicago, with few viable alternatives. Same can be said with Louisville, because US 31 couldn't shoulder the load of a shutdown on I-65.

I-65 has a high tendency to get strangled with traffic clusters, especially near the Lafayette area (for now) and north of Indiana 2. There's justification in giving I-65 high priority.

Also, the only major points of traffic contention on I-70 in Indiana (not counting Indianapolis of course) would be Richmond and Terrre Haute. Not much compared to I-65 (Gary, Merrillville, Lafayette, Indy, Columbus, and Jeffersonville).

[silverback1065]

While I try to find the information, keep in mind that Interstate 65 is the only major freeway connecting central Indiana to Chicago, with few viable alternatives. Same can be said with Louisville, because US 31 couldn't shoulder the load of a shutdown on I-65.

I-65 has a high tendency to get strangled with traffic clusters, especially near the Lafayette area (for now) and north of Indiana 2. There's justification in giving I-65 high priority.

Also, the only major points of traffic contention on I-70 in Indiana (not counting Indianapolis of course) would be Richmond and Terrre Haute. Not much compared to I-65 (Gary, Merrillville, Lafayette, Indy, Columbus, and Jeffersonville).

I agree with everything you said, just curious about the traffic counts.

[mukade]

Plans are underway to widen I-65 from south of U.S. 30 to (for now) Indiana 2. Part of that work includes replacement of the Kankakee River bridges at the Lake-Newton County line.

The $70 million project is set to begin in 2017, with the aim to have the project finished by November 2018.

Excellent news. Its about time! Now if they could only do the Keystone Parkway treatment to key parts of US 30.

Wow they're really committed to widening 65, but why no action at all on 70? How do traffic and truck counts compare on the routes?

INDOT Traffic Counts

[Revive 755]

INDOT Traffic Counts

Looks to me INDOT should be focusing on I-65 between Indy and Louisville first.  The section between Chicagoland and Indy mostly be bypassed using some combination of US 41, US 52, US 231, and/or I-74; I'm not seeing any good alternates for I-65 between I-465 and I-265.

[tdindy88]

That also adds something about I-70, it has US 40 as an alternative route, a relatively good four-lane highway outside of some communities. That said, I can see I-70 widening near Terre Haute and Richmond down the road.

[mukade]

INDOT Traffic Counts

Looks to me INDOT should be focusing on I-65 between Indy and Louisville first.  The section between Chicagoland and Indy mostly be bypassed using some combination of US 41, US 52, US 231, and/or I-74; I'm not seeing any good alternates for I-65 between I-465 and I-265.

Clearly, I-65 from US 30 to US 231 was at the top of the list, but to SR 2 is also a very good move.

These look to be the top areas for future widening:
- I-65 from SR 44 to US 31 in Edinburgh
- I-70 from SR 39 south of Danville to SR 267
- I-70 from Mt. Comfort Rd. to SR 9 in Greenfield
- I-69 from SR 38 to SR 67/SR 32 in Daleville
- I-69 from I-469 to US 24/Jefferson in Fort Wayne

[monty]

Here is an I65 news story: Governor Mike Pence announced plans today to widen Interstate 65 in Lake County to three lanes in each direction from Merrillville south to at least State Road 2 near Lowell. The $70 million project is part of Pence's Major Moves 2020 highway program. http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/30695634/pence-announces-plan-to-widen-i-65-in-lake-county

[mvak36]

How many miles of I-65 are left to be widened to 3 lanes? The above article mentioned some other sections being constructed right now, so I was curious to see how much work they have left throughout the state. Thanks in advance

[silverback1065]

How many miles of I-65 are left to be widened to 3 lanes? The above article mentioned some other sections being constructed right now, so I was curious to see how much work they have left throughout the state. Thanks in advance

not sure of the mileage, but the gaps are between (going south) SR 2 to SR 25, SR 38 to SR 32, SR 44 and Memphis Rd.  I think the SR 44 to Memphis Rd is the largest gap, but that's off the top of my head. 

[bmeiser]

not sure of the mileage, but the gaps are between (going south) SR 2 to SR 25, SR 38 to SR 32, SR 44 and Memphis Rd.  I think the SR 44 to Memphis Rd is the largest gap, but that's off the top of my head.

Actually the 3-laning in Lebanon starts at U.S. 52 now.  So that second gap is (will be) SR 38 - U.S. 52.

[mvak36]

How many miles of I-65 are left to be widened to 3 lanes? The above article mentioned some other sections being constructed right now, so I was curious to see how much work they have left throughout the state. Thanks in advance

not sure of the mileage, but the gaps are between (going south) SR 2 to SR 25, SR 38 to SR 32, SR 44 and Memphis Rd.  I think the SR 44 to Memphis Rd is the largest gap, but that's off the top of my head.

Thanks for the info. Going by the exit numbers, it looks like about 167 miles still left to go.

[silverback1065]

I forgot the gap between 865/52 and 465

[mvak36]

Another 6 miles I guess. So approx. 173!!!

I could see why they're doing 65 first.

[silverback1065]

i think the 856/52 465 gap will be last filled.  it will be nice to fill the Lafayette Lebanon gap, it would be cool to have a partial beltway around lafayette, at least an at grade divided highway to replace teal road south of the city, then they could throw 52 on a legitimate bypass.

[silverback1065]

on a different note, was SR 3 rerouted onto SR 750 to meet SR 7 in North Vernon? 

[mvak36]

i think the 856/52 465 gap will be last filled.  it will be nice to fill the Lafayette Lebanon gap, it would be cool to have a partial beltway around lafayette, at least an at grade divided highway to replace teal road south of the city, then they could throw 52 on a legitimate bypass.

Hopefully they start widening more and more sections eventually.