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.
-
'It’s stealing joy': Hoosiers react to clash involving Haliburton's dad, Bucks
Despite the Pacers big overtime win to eliminate the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, an interaction after the game between Tyrese Haliburton’s dad is what made a lot of the headlines.
IMPD asking community to help locate missing teen
18-year-old Zachary Bean was last seen on Wednesday in the 300 block of N. Jersey Street, police say.
Price of gold hitting all-time highs
The price of gold is up $1,000 from a year ago and more than 30% since the start of the year. Experts say it’s due to the current state of the economy.
Still here, still healing: Through the eyes of survivors and advocates
One year after surviving gun violence, Larissa Smith reflects on her recovery with the support of a groundbreaking hospital-based program that offers therapy, resources, and community connections.
