Hamlet Council President Urges INDOT to Address Safety Concerns at U.S. 30 Construction Site

 

Hamlet officials are demanding answers from INDOT, after a U.S. 30 construction project has led to a spike in accidents. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas complained that the town wasn’t told about the work ahead of time. “Legally, technically, U.S. 30 goes through town because that parcel on the northeast side of 30 is our parcel, so 30 goes through,” he explained. “The state didn’t contact us, nor did the contractor, and yet, we’ve had all these series of accidents.”

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INDOT Closes Section of State Road 17 For Chip and Sealing Operations

Starting today, Culver residents and commuters should be prepared for an ongoing road closure on State Road 17.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that State Road 17 in Marshall County will be closed between State Road 8 and State Road 10 as crews perform chip sealing operations. The work will begin today and that section of road is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Friday, June 22. Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Superintendent Working on 2018 Community Crossings Application

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler is working on applications for the 2018 Community Crossings program.

He told the Starke County Commissioners last week that the applications may be turned in starting Monday, Aug. 6. The Bridge #154 replacement project will be among the projects included along with several others, according to Ritzler.

“We’re going to do the intersection improvement at Bass Lake County Road 210 and old State Road 10/600 South,” said Ritzler. “We’re going to make that a safer intersection. We’re going to make that a T-intersection and make a continuous loop around the lake. We also won’t allow trucks once that becomes a T-intersection. We’re going to do five miles of hot mix roads. I’m doing a list now. We’re doing traffic counts and accident counts right now. We’ll have that for you next month.”

A fourth project will also be included, although Ritzler said it may be outside of what would be awarded.

“It’s always good to put a few more applications in. We’re putting in a bridge rehab project on Bridge #137. That’s the one on 300 E. in the industrial park. It needs some work so we’re going to include that.”

The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 28.

Ritzler noted that beginning in January, INDOT will award projects twice a year with applications due in January and July.

Two State Roads Reopen after Flooding Event

Two state roads are back open now that flood waters have receded.

The Indiana Department of Transportation opened State Road 39 between State Road 10 and U.S. 30 and State Road 8 between U.S. 35 and State Road 39. The roads were closed when high water from historic flooding intruded on the roadways in late February. The roads were closed for a longer stretch as testing was conducted to determine the extent of damage on and under the Continue reading →