The Indiana Department of Transportation has added travel times to seven dynamic roadside signs around the state just in time for the holiday weekend. The time estimates are based on information gathered from road sensors that measure a variety of factors, including average vehicle speed and traffic volumes. INDOT has developed algorithms to ensure the travel time information displayed is as accurate as possible.
Signs featuring estimated travel times to help travelers make informed routing decisions while on the move will be in the following locations:I-80/94 Borman Expressway eastbound at mile 12 in Gary;
I-70 eastbound at mile 92 in Indianapolis; I-70 westbound at mile 68 in Plainfield; I-65 northbound at mile 2 in Clarksville; I-65 southbound at mile 104 in Indianapolis; I-65 northbound at mile 131 in Boone County and I-65 southbound at mile 256 in Lake County.
When the signs are not displaying estimated travel times, they are used to alert motorists of upcoming incidents, congestion or road conditions. INDOT’s Hoosier Helpers freeway service patrol sponsored by State Farm will assist law enforcement in clearing crashes and stalled vehicles to maximize mobility during the Independence Day holiday weekend. INDOT also directs its contractors to pull back barrels and barricades in highway work zones to the safest extent possible. When entering a work zone, drivers should always be scanning the roadway ahead for slow or stopped traffic.
The following roadways in Northwest Indiana have lane closures for various projects: I-94 between SR 249;exit 19 and SR 149 in Porter County is reduced to two lanes in each direction due to bridge rehabilitation and U.S. 31 at 7A Road near Plymouth is reduced to one lane in each direction for interchange construction.
Recent weather conditions have rendered these state highways dangerous to drive on: the I-74 westbound exit 8 ramp near Covington in Fountain County; State Road 225 at the Wabash River near Battle Ground in Tippecanoe County; State Road 101 between U.S. 33 and State Road 224 in Adams County; State Road 1 between State Roads 67 and 26 north of Redkey in Jay County and State Road 235 east of Medora in Jackson County. Travelers should never try to drive through a flooded roadway, the average automobile can be swept off the road by merely 12 inches of moving water.
In order to help reduce the amount of severe and fatal crashes around Independence Day, the Indiana State Police is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies in the federally-funded “Operation C.A.R.E”, the combined accident reduction effort and the Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Project.
INDOT and the ISP urge all motorists to observe safety tips such as buckling up,leaving early to allow yourself to reach your desired destination on time and in one piece, never drive drunk, drowsy or distracted, double check and use signaling when turning or transferring lanes and obey all traffic laws and posted speed limits. Police will be on the lookout for motorists who speed, drive impaired, make unsafe lane changes, follow too closely or fail to buckle up. To avoid ruining your weekend with a run in with law, or even worse an accident, remain alert and aware on the roadways this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
