MUNCIE — Indiana has become known for building roundabouts to solve safety issues at dangerous intersections. INDOT believes they could also be the answer in the middle of Muncie.
INDOT is planning to build roundabouts where Main and Madison Streets, also known as State Road 32, cross Jackson Street and Hackley Street. The agency estimates it could cost between $4 and $7 million.
"We're analyzing the urban roundabout design, which is designed to accommodate large vehicles such as semi-trailers, school buses, and fire trucks," said Blake Dollier of INDOT.
INDOT does not expect to build the roundabouts until 2027.
Muncie Fire Station Number 1 is on one of the corners targeted for a roundabout. Guardian Brewing Company is located diagonally across from the fire station.
"Every year, there's at least two or three wrecks at this intersection, and they're bad wrecks," said Guardian Brewing Company owner Bill Kerr. "They've ran into the sign out front, there's cars that are upside down, all kinds of stuff."
INDOT counted more than 150 crashes at the four targeted intersections between 2018 and 2020 when they were studying the traffic patterns of the area.
Kerr said one minor change has already helped his side of Muncie feel safer.
"This used to be a two-lane street and people seemed like they were racing down," Kerr said. "Since they made that one lane, traffic has slowed down quite a bit."
INDOT organized a meeting Wednesday night to tell the community about the project The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Ivy Tech's downtown Muncie campus.
-
Keith Sweat, SWV to headline Indiana Black Expo's Music Heritage Festival
The Indiana Black Expo has unveiled the lineup for its upcoming Music Heritage Festival, featuring headliners Keith Sweat and SWV.
Woman shot by Lawrence officer after killing dog, pointing gun at police
The Lawrence Police Department is investigating after officers shot a woman after she allegedly fatally shot her dog and aimed a firearm at them Sunday night.
Pacers 129-103 in Game 4 to take 3-1 lead after Bucks lose Lillard to injury
The Indiana Pacers scored at will while the Milwaukee Bucks couldn't recover from the loss of one of their two superstar players.
Clergy urges Governor to condemn Lt. Gov. Beckwith’s Three-Fifths claims
The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis is urging Governor Braun to condemn Lt. Gov. Beckwith’s praise of the Three-Fifths Compromise, calling his remarks offensive and historically inaccurate.
