The Indiana Department of Transportation says lane closures will take place late this week for US Highway 231 near Dale as crews begin working on a project that will install J-Turns at the State Road 62 & Washington Street and State Road 62 & 68 intersections.
INDOT says contractors will set up intermittent alternating restrictions in both the north- and southbound lanes beginning this Friday, February 26th, with a 12-foot width. They say lane closures will last for the duration of the project and affect the area from one half-mile south of State Road 62 to one half-mile north of State Road 68.
Restrictions will be in place around the clock, and work is expected to last into this summer, depending upon weather conditions.
IMPROVED SAFETY
Based on an extensive study, INDOT has concluded that J-Turns will drastically improve safety at the two intersections of US 231 and SR 62 & 68.
IMPROVEMENTS
Once completed, traffic along US 231 will still be able to go straight or turn left and right. State Road 62 & Washington Street and State Road 62 & 68 traffic will not be able to go straight or turn left through the intersections. These movements will be made indirectly by first making right turns, traveling a short distance and making a legal U-Turn.
INDOT officials have taken steps to work with local residents in tailoring the intersections’ design to area specific needs including heavy truck and local farm traffic.
Design improvements include:
Lengthened turn lanes in both the north- and southbound lanes to make it easier for trucks and farm traffic to safely maneuver into the proper lane.
U-Turns designed to accommodate standard tractor trailer length.
Mountable curbs in the U-Turn sections for oversize vehicles
Extensive lighting for both maneuvers and for warning
An island median to allow for left turns while travelling U.S. 231
And non-mountable curbs in the island to discourage improper movements.
INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews. For construction updates and traffic alerts, follow INDOT on Facebook at facebook.com/INDOTVincennesDistrict and Twitter at twitter.com/INDOTSouthwest, or access INDOT’s TrafficWise website at indot.carsprogram.org.
For more information, visit INDOT’s Median U-Turn webpage at www.in.gov/indot.
