Opinions have not changed concerning J-turns at intersections in Marshall County. They’re not welcome.
INDOT officials reviewed their proposed plans for a J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 110 during a public hearing Wednesday night and residents restated their distaste for the suggested improvement.
INDOT officials say that a J-turn intersection will improve safety by diverting traffic from a median crossroad and allowing drivers to turn into a median allowing a left turn, making a U-turn, joining traffic and turning at the desired location.
While statistics from design and engineering firm The Troyer Group suggest an increase in safety, elected officials and the general public aren’t buying it.
State Senator Randy Head and State Representative Jack Jordan stated their opposition to the J-turns during the public hearing Wednesday night as well as officials from Fulton County, Marshall County and the Town of Argos.
This makes the second proposed J-turn intersection improvement in the Marshall County area that residents will not accept. INDOT La Porte District Director of Communications Matt Deitchley said all comments will be evaluated by INDOT to make a decision.
“There have been times where we won’t do the proposal that we thought,” said Deitchley. “In this case, that could potentially mean we won’t do a J-turn. A lot of times what we’ll do is take those comments and that will help us improve the project as well. Sometimes that’s what comes out of those comments. We’ll review every single comment and ensure that we are given them their due diligence and decide where to go from here.”
He added that he’s not surprised about the negative comments given toward J-turns.
“J-turns are relatively new, at least in the State of Indiana and we realize that. Roundabouts, which are not all that new, still receive similar types of reactions. We understand that. It’s something that people aren’t as familiar with, but that doesn’t make their concerns any less valid. Our job is to help them understand why we think this is the right option here.”
Written comments about this proposed J-turn intersection will be accepted by INDOT until Oct. 13.
For the many avenues to submit documentation into the public record, see below:
E-mail comments to:
INDOT Office of Public Involvement at rclark@indot.in.gov
INDOT La Porte District Customer Service Center at LaPorteDistrictCommunications@indot.in.gov.
Mail comments to:
INDOT Office of Public Involvement
1000 North Senate Ave. Room N642
Indianapolis, IN 46204
INDOT La Porte District Customer Service Center
315 E. Boyd Boulevard
La Porte, IN 46350
