(Batesville, IN) – INDOT Southeast says it has completed lane improvement work at the median along State Road 229 north of I-74 in Batesville.
The agency says improvements include widening of the 229 northbound left turn lane and the installation of additional traffic loops in the left turn lane.
Signage installation and signal adjustments were also included, according to INDOT.
Meanwhile, a number of people took to social media to voice their displeasure with the work.
Batesville Mayor John Irrgang released a statement saying he was just as surprised as residents to find out there was lane construction work in front of Kroger and other businesses.
Irrgang told INDOT last fall that a lot of Batesville residents expressed frustration with the traffic barrier that was originally installed, and said he was not informed that the latest changes were being made.
The mayor released the following information from INDOT:
“The Indiana Department of Transportation has evaluated your concerns regarding the recent median that was installed on S.R. 229 in front of Kroger in Batesville. Seymour District’s Traffic Engineers have evaluated the existing conditions and obtained Miovision traffic counts in order to observe the U-turning vehicles at this location.
“Based on their studies, INDOT will be making some lane improvements as shown in the below graphic. The lanes will be shifted, and the existing Left Turn lane will be striped out as a gore and the Thru lane will become the Left/U-turn lane. This will allow for a greater turning radius for the vehicles making a U-turn.
“Additional work includes installing for new loops in the Left Turn lane. The area along the curb/gutter, which is currently crosshatched, will be restriped as the Thru Lane for vehicles continuing on North S.R. 229. Signage will also be added to the area and well as signal adjustments.”
The mayor added INDOT typically sends a public notice after such work is completed.
“I will continue to work to improve communication between organizations so we can keep you better informed and avoid surprises for everyone,” Mayor Irrgang said.
