SYRACUSE — Concern about horse and buggy traffic, wide loads, turning ability, suggestions of leaving it as is, installing a traffic signal, and support on the proposal were among comments heard from 12 people, including two elected officials Wednesday evening, Aug. 29, at a public hearing on the proposed intersection improvement at US 6 and SR 13/CR 33 in Elkhart County. Hosted by the Indiana Department of Transportation approximately 40 people attended, most of whom seemed to be from Kosciusko County.

It was during this hearing it was announced a connector road is proposed (and in the design stage) at CR 29 and US 6. A bridge on CR 29, over US 6, was completed in October 2016, cutting off access to either road. It is proposed this project will take place in the final quarter of 2019, at an estimated of $888,000.

Don Mishler questions the impact on wildlife and the wetland in the area.

State Rep. District 22 Curt Nisly and State Senator Blake Doriot, both who serve constituents in the effected area, spoke about the project. Comments and questions were also heard from Larry Rensberger, John Littler, Luann Cripe, Joe Hibschman, Don Mishler, Willy Buck, Sherm Goldenberg, David Johnston, Leonard Kline and Beverly Earnhart. Cripe, Hibschman, Earnhart and Mishler were noted as living close to that intersection, if not at the intersection.

Rickie Clark, public involvement director, led the hearing going over the purpose and explanation of the hearing, the format, and leading the public comment portion. Clark also introduced the INDOT project team present, who the stakeholders were in the project, the time table and a brief detail of the environmental analysis phase.

Jeremy Brodhacker with Strand Associates, engineering firm for the project, discussed the purpose and need. He noted the purpose was to enhance safety and efficiency at the intersection and the need was to reduce the number of high-speed, high-impact traffic accidents at the location. Crash data from 2009 to 2017 was presented, showing 48 crashes with no injuries, 15 non-incapacating injury accidents, eight accidents with incapacitating injuries and one fatality. The lone fatality was in 2015.

Brodhacker noted the alternatives considered included no change, a signalized intersection and reconfiguration into a roundabout. He noted the no build did not meet the purpose and need and did not enhance safety. The option of a signalized intersection would require extensive changes due to the design speeds of the roadway, require additional right-of-way, have impacts on the wetland, and require vehicles spending more time at an intersection. The signalized intersection would enhance safety. Looking at the roundabout, Brodhacker stated it would enhance safety, provide significant reduction in the number of traffic accidents and the severity of accidents and enhance mobility.

David Johnston questions why the ramp at CR 29 wasn’t built when the bridge was installed.

Brodhacker noted numerous improvements have been tried at the intersection, but the results, including the four-way stop, has fallen short of good. He noted the roundabout proposed is modeled and designed after the SR 19 and SR 119 roundabout between Nappanee and Wakarusa.

An overhead model was shown with a single leg approach from each direction with a concrete splitter island separating the opposing traffic as well as horizontal curves to make the driver uncomfortable approaching the intersection. He noted there will be lots of signage including advisory speeds and plenty of lighting. “There will be one lane in and one lane out with one lane inside the circular to support larger vehicles, oversized and overweight vehicles,” Brodhacker stated.

It was during his presentation of the maintenance of traffic during construction that the installation of a connector road at CR 29 bridge over US 6 would be completed and in use. Brodhacker stated that during the roundabout construction CR 33 and SR 13 would be closed and a runaround will be built on US 6 that will not include a stop condition, but a 25 mile per hour speed limit.

While not stated at the meeting, INDOT documents estimate the project will cost $3,588,052.

Clark noted while oral comments made that evening would become a part of the public record, written comments should be submitted by Friday, Sept. 14. Individuals were also given an opportunity to submit comments on a public comment form following the hearing.

Andrea Bailey, Strand and Associates, engineering firm and Dana Plattner, official with INDOT, talk with Gary and Beverly Earnhart about the project.

A number of the public speak with INDOT officials following the public hearing to get further understanding.

Preliminary proposal for ramp at the CR 29 overpass with US 6, projected to take place in the last quarter of 2019.