Safety changes coming soon for Waterworks Hill

Thursday, November 16, 2017

By JARED JERNAGAN, Asst. Editor

In the face of requests from local officials and public outcry following the death of a Greencastle woman, the Indiana Department of Transportation is set to install safety enhancements on Waterworks Hill on Tuesday.

INDOT announced the changes to the area of U.S. 231 just north of Greencastle on Thursday afternoon.

Foremost of the changes will be a reduced speed limit, 45 mph extending from the north side of the city north to Kersey Road.

“The primary goal is to reduce the average speed of vehicles traveling southbound down Waterworks Hill toward the Big Walnut Creek Bridge,” according to the INDOT announcement.

Additionally, the large arrow sign for southbound traffic will be replaced by several chevron signs to make the curve more obvious to motorists.

The curve is especially problematic for southbound vehicles, particularly trucks, which have already gathered momentum from the downhill grade before a left-hand turn heading into the Walnut Creek Bridge.

The changes are being made to improve safety by reducing the probability of crashes in an area that has already seen more than its share.

Most recently, 60-year-old Julie Cox was killed on Oct. 23 when a southbound semi lost control in wet conditions and collided with her passenger vehicle.

It is one of three major semi accidents that have happened in the area in the last year, including one that left a semi tractor dangling over the side of the bridge.

Sheriff Scott Stockton and Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory both reached out to INDOT about the issue, which resulted in a meeting between state and local officials early in November.

A study by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department revealed that since February 2015, the area from County Road 100 North to County Road 25 South has seen an accident every 15.9 days. Accidents with injury occur every 80.8 days.

After studying the issue and its own number, INDOT officials decided the reduced speed and additional signage are a good step in curtailing these trends.

The changes are expected to be made on Tuesday, Nov. 21, weather permitting.

Sheriff’s deputies will be in the area directing traffic and ensuring the safety of the road crews.

Motorists are asked to be mindful of the safety of the road crews and deputies.

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Rumble Strips would have been better, speed limit change will do nothing unless it is patrolled constantly, which will not happen. It will be patrolled at first then it will be forgotten,until the next accident.

-- Posted by hometowner11 on Thu, Nov 16, 2017, at 11:55 PM
It may be a bit pricey but wouldn't a "solar flashing yellow warning light" be a better solution?

-- Posted by Trying hard on Fri, Nov 17, 2017, at 9:36 AM
The bigger problem is those motorists who continue to use cell phones to text instead of paying attention to the road.

-- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Fri, Nov 17, 2017, at 7:29 PM
That's a joke 45 like that will make a difference! They need to to take it down to at least 25 or less.

-- Posted by last leg on Fri, Nov 17, 2017, at 9:51 PM
@last leg - 25 or less seems a bit excessive.

-- Posted by DouglasQuaid on Fri, Nov 17, 2017, at 10:54 PM

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