The intersection of State Road 8 and Starke County Road 300 East now has turn lanes, guardrails, acceleration and deceleration lanes. Members of the Starke County Council, County Commissioners and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors celebrated the completion of the project with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Monday morning.
“This was extremely dangerous before for trucks and motor vehicles to come to pass. They couldn’t make the turns. If a truck wanted to go toward 35 from 300, they crossed both travel lanes into the berm,” Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver said.
He noted federal, state and local officials worked together to redesign and rebuild the intersection. It is the main thoroughfare to the Knox Industrial Park. Councilman Freddie Baker hopes the combination of improved access and the efforts of local officials to recruit business will lead to more jobs for Starke County residents. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis agrees and also notes the revamped intersection is safer and more attractive.
Weaver says work is continuing at the intersection of 300 East and Pacific Avenue as well to improve that intersection. That project should be finished by the end of November. The southbound lanes of 300 East are still closed while that construction is ongoing.
