(Batesville, IN) – INDOT has informed the City of Batesville that crews plan to complete lane/median improvement work on northbound State Road 229 in front of Kroger today.
Officials say this could cause traffic delays and backups if you drive in the area.
This comes after the agency did work in the area last work without notifying Mayor John Irrgang or residents about the project.
A number of people took to social media to voice their displeasure with last week’s work.
Mayor 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.
It was last fall when Irrgang told INDOT that a lot of Batesville residents were frustrated with the traffic barrier that was installed at the time.
The Mayor added was not informed that last week’s changes were being made.
The mayor released the following 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.
