The Starke County Commissioners gathered public comment Monday night on the proposed construction of a Dollar General store at the corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 south of Knox.
Commission President Donnie Binkley noted that he wanted to gather public opinion on the project as the intersection poses a safety concern. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said INDOT expedited a traffic study at that intersection and found that it does not warrant the installation of a stop light. About 8,000 northbound and southbound vehicles pass that intersection on U.S. 35 each day. Less than 30 cars turn east on 200 South which is the location of the driveway.
Once the business is up and running, INDOT may conduct an additional traffic study to see if a stop light needs to be installed at the intersection.
Questions were asked about why the driveway to the store is off of 200 South and not U.S. 35. The attorney representing Developer Joe Leonard explained that if a proposed commercial project is planned on a corner lot the driveway must be located on the lesser traveled road. In this case, the lesser traveled road is 200 South. He added that several improvements to the design were made to accommodate safety concerns raised by Ritzler by moving the driveway further away from U.S. 35 to ease possible traffic congestion. That change met with Ritzler’s approval. To accommodate semi traffic to the store, a wider lane will be constructed with hot mix asphalt for easier maneuverability.
Commissioner Kathy Norem stated that she’d like to see a stop light at that intersection. To help accomplish that goal, she encouraged residents to write letters to their state representatives and INDOT and urge them to install a traffic light there. She added that the state and the City of Knox should look at future plans to widen that portion of U.S. 35 into four lanes for economic growth.
Public comments also included grading the hill in that area for better vision and lowering the speed limit for safety.
After hearing comments, the commissioners voted to allow the developer to move forward with the project. This Dollar General store will be an additional retail business. The Dollar General store on Main Street in downtown Knox will remain at its current location.
