City Asks For Patience, Says Signalization Not Yet In Sync
Westbound traffic was backed up Friday afternoon, March 26, on East Market Street east of the new Hickory Street traffic signal in Warsaw. A statement on the city’s Facebook page said traffic flow will improve once traffic signals and railroad crossings in the area are synched. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.
By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews
WARSAW – Three new traffic signals along Hickory Street in Warsaw are intended to improve traffic flow and reduce some backups around the north-south railroad tracks, but the city admits transitioning to that point has resulted in frustrations for motorists.
A series of projects between Norfolk Southern and the Indiana Department of Transportation are being coordinated to improve traffic primarily around the North Detroit Street intersections at Main, Center, Market Streets and Winona Avenue.
Norfolk Southern has upgraded its signals and crossings in the area. That is intended to coordinate with upgraded traffic signals at those intersections when the work is completed.
The railroad company is also involved with changes along Hickory Street from Market to Main Streets. The three new signals are intended to prevent motorists from becoming blocked on the tracks just east of the tracks. Hickory was also revamped and changed to one-way and new parking limits are being enforced to prevent cars from parking too close to the tracks.
“All of these projects will ultimately work together to improve traffic flow and safety,” the city statement on Facebook said. “The timing will not stay this way forever! We will keep in touch with INDOT about their progress and provide information as we have it.”
The Facebook post acknowledges that the new traffic signals for westbound motorists east of the tracks “are causing some traffic back-ups.”
“INDOT has not finished programming the timing yet – and we know this can be frustrating,” the statement said. “Please be patient with us as INDOT works to complete several projects, along with the railroad.”
Comments in reaction to the city’s statement on Facebook were generally critical.
One person asked the signals were activated before they were synched. The city replied that the overall project is unique in that INDOT’s signals will tie into the railroad’s signal and safety system.
“With both parties involved, it makes it a little more complicated to get up and running,” the city said in response.
On Sunday, March 21, crossing arms at Market and Hickory streets were lowered for at least 20 minutes while there was no train traffic. Motorists eventually began going around the crossing arms. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.
