The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is reminding motorists about the new Boulevard Left Turn coming soon to Washington Avenue and US 41.
Gary Brian, public relations director for INDOT Southwest, said assuming weather cooperates, the intersection will switch to a Boulevard Left Turn on Tuesday, March 25.
This intersection is designed to reduce conflict points at the intersection and ultimately save lives.
It works by routing left turn traffic into a right turn instead and then making a U-turn to drive in the desired direction.
Brian with INDOT said it helps cut down on the amount of right angle and rear-end crashes.
“Because we won't have people at the intersection trying to catch the light just right, trying to catch that opening in traffic. Folks will have the opportunity to sit at the turn light to safely make that left turn.”
A Displaced Left Turn is already in operation at the Lloyd Expressway and Upworth Road and a Reduced Conflict Intersection is at Hillsdale road and US 41.
Brian this new intersection is a combination of those two, taking the “best of both worlds.”
They’re taking away the left turn movement at the intersection itself, and changing it into the U-turn movement after making a right. He said many other turns won't change.
“If you're turning right, if you're going through you'll still be able to go through the intersection straight on through, if you're going through Washington or US 41 if you're turning right from one of those roads is still going to be the same. It's not going to be a complete change.”
There will be signage to explain everything when it goes into effect.
Brian said it could be open in the next week or so. He urges patience as drivers learn to use the intersection.
The higher-profile aspect of this overall project was the long-awaited pedestrian bridge over US 41 and Washington Avenue. The bridge itself is open and functioning, but the approaching sidewalks are not yet complete.
Brian said finishing these are based on the weather.
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