VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Two intersections along US 41 could see changes in 2023.
At Elkhorn Road near Vincennes and State Road 58 near Carlisle, the Indiana Department of Transportation is looking into implementing “Reduced Conflict Intersections,” or RCI’s. For drivers trying to turn left onto US 41, they would have to turn right initially before doing a mandatory u-turn in the median.
Gary Brian, the public relations director for INDOT southwest, said the decision was made after looking at crash data at the intersections.
“INDOT looks at every accident that happens. We investigate and see why those accidents happen,” he said. “That’s kind of what we have done at these intersections, we have seen trends that point towards saying that these intersections at US 41 and Elkhorn Road, as well as at State Road 58, they need some improvements.”
The one at Elkhorn Road would be a partial RCI, only affecting northbound traffic. Data from INDOT has shown that crashes have gone down over 50% at intersections where RCI’s were implemented.
“These RCI’s cut the conflict in half, and we have seen that they work really well,” Brian said. “One that I would point out, that I feel like is a beacon for the state of Indiana, is in Oaktown.”
The one near Oaktown was implemented in the last few years. Resident Gilbert Gauger said the intersection, near Maple Avenue and East Freelandville Road, had a history of severe accidents, but they have decreased significantly since the changes.
“I’m glad our tax dollars went to an appropriate purpose. These intersections are much safer now than they were, to my knowledge there’s been no accidents here since the changes had been made,” he said.
Public meetings will be held for both intersections in the next two weeks. For the Elkhorn Road intersection, it will be on Thursday, November 10th, while for State Road 58, it will be Wednesday, November 16th.
Brian encouraged members of the public to come to the meetings.
“At INDOT, our main thing is safety. Safety is our number one concern, we want to make sure the public is safe, so definitely come out to these open houses, take a look at what’s going on, make sure you voice your opinion if you have one, and be educated on the projects,” he said.
The Elkhorn Road meeting will be at the INDOT building in Vincennes. For State Road 58, the meeting will be at Carlisle Elementary School and Junior High. Both will be held from 5-7 p.m.
