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U.S. 36 bridge replacement could cause local headaches
In the long run, the replacement of a bridge just west of Union Chapel is good news to Putnam County travelers.
In the short term, though? It could be a thorn in the side of County Engineer Jim Peck.
During his normal briefing during the Putnam County Commissioners meeting on Monday, Peck said the Indiana Department of Transportation has plans to replace the U.S. 36 bridge over Moccasin Branch, which is 3.8 miles west of U.S. 231.
However, the initial plans shared by INDOT are to completely close the bridge for one month — a timetable that Peck doubted — to replace it all at once.
While this would mean an official detour (east to west) of U.S. 231 north to State Road 236, then State Road 59 south to U.S. 36, the problem came with a proposed unofficial local detour of County Road 600 West south to County Road 600 North then back north on County Road 775 West.
While the local detours are theoretically only for lighter local traffic, experience demonstrates that tractor-trailers and other heavier vehicles also follow them. This would cause major problems on the gravel surface of County Road 600 North as well as at least two culverts not rated for such traffic.
“That would be chaos,” Highway Director Clint Maddox opined.
Peck offered his response to INDOT officials: “No, you’re going to have to replace your bridge half at a time. And if you don’t replace it half at a time, you can come down our road, then fix our gravel road and replace both of our culverts.”
“Of course, they’re not going to do that,” he said of the latter solution.
Peck said the counter offer from the state agency is to put road closed signs on the county roads and have deputies stationed there 24/7.
This incited a round of laughter, most notably from Sheriff Jerrod Baugh.
Peck noted that even if the traffic were to reroute further south through Clinton Falls, that would still require passage over a bridge with an eight- or nine-ton limit, still too light for tractor-trailers.
While no solution has yet been agreed upon, the problem for county officials is that the state agency can ultimately do as it pleases. However, Peck has served notice that he is willing to either work with INDOT officials or fight them on this matter.
Also part of Peck’s report was a presentation from Cory Whitesell of HWC Engineering regarding the Local Road Safety Plan for Putnam County.
HWC worked with the county highway department and other local stakeholders throughout 2023 to develop the plan, which identifies problem areas on local roads.
Whitesell noted that studies have shown that while rural roads get relatively little attention compared with higher-traffic highways, the number of crashes that happen on these roads is disproportionately high.
However, with GPS now a part of crash reports, it is easier to use data to identify the problem areas. Using this data, the engineers took the information to locals in government, public safety, schools and other interested parties to discuss why certain areas are problematic.
The results of the survey revealed two shortcuts between Greencastle and U.S. 40 as the most problematic corridors in the county.
“You have two major corridors where the number of crashes is disproportionately high — Manhattan Road and Airport Road,” Whitesell said.
While anecdotal evidence seems to make Manhattan Road an obvious choice, Airport Road was a bit more of a surprise to Commissioners David Berry and Tom Helmer. Commissioner Rick Woodall was absent Monday.
Whitesell noted that commuters seem to use the series of roads — beginning at 10th Street in Greencastle, past the south end of the Putnam County Regional Airport then winding generally southeast until coming out on U.S. 40 at 300 East — as a shortcut to and from the factories and businesses on the east end of Greencastle.
He noted that the crashes in this area are concentrated in the big curves and that chevron signs as well as “curve ahead” signs could mitigate some of the problem, though over time construction projects are likely needed to improve the safety of the curves.
As for Manhattan, another shortcut to 40, the problems are self-evident — narrow road, no shoulders, high speeds by motorists.
“When we actually get into the data, the highest number of crashes involved roadway departures,” Whitesell said of Manhattan Road.
He said that while widening the road seems like a solution, it only helps so much. The better solution, he said, is to straighten the curves.
Peck added that he is trying to secure federal funding through INDOT for a curve correction on Manhattan Road near the old viaduct at intersections with County Road 550 South and 575 South.
It was noted that during the study, speeds were reported on Airport Road of up to 67 mph, while on Manhattan one motorist reached 80 mph.
While enforcement seems a solution to this aspect of the problem, Whitesell noted that it comes with the same risk factors that already plague such roads.
“Who wants to pull someone over when there’s no shoulders and blind curves?” Whitesell said. “And the times you need to do enforcement are probably when you need people in other places.”
While other areas and problems are noted in the report, these two roads were by far the most problematic.
Whitesell told the commissioners that while such a study does not guarantee funding for a future project, it is a starting point, as safety is often the number one priority in such decisions.
In other business:
• The commissioners gave their approval of the use of county roads for the fourth annual Dust Bowl 100 gravel bike race, set for Saturday, July 27 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
While the race begins and ends in Eminence, 95 percent of the route is within Putnam County.
“We’ll have a full 1,000 participant event this year,” race organizer Marc O’Leary said, noting that entries were expanded this year and the race still filled up in three days last month.
He noted that some of the money raised in 2023 was given to Putnam Parks and Pathways, as well as statewide organizations Bicycling Indiana and the Indiana Youth Racing League. He also noted the estimated $215,000 local economic impact in 2023.
“Obviously we plan to grow that this year,” O’Leary said.
With Pacers legend Reggie Miller the most notable participant last year, O’Leary was asked if the Basketball Hall of Famer would be back.
O’Leary said he was unsure of Miller’s participation, but that some high-profile participants might be announced later.
Berry and Helmer gave their approval for the road use as well as deputies manning several of the busier intersections.
• Mike Hildebrand of the Floyd Township Fire Protection District Board appeared before the commissioners, announcing that the district is looking into buying a new fire truck.
“In this process, we’ve been kind of amazed at the cost of fire apparatus,” Hildebrand said.
He said the district is considering starting a cumulative fund, which would mean a small addition to the property taxes of Floyd Township residents.
“The cost of fire apparatus is going up so much every year that it looks kind of bleak without some sort of plan,” he said.
With Hildebrand were Floyd Township Fire Chief Jeff Brooks, district treasurer Tiffany Deer and Heritage Lake Property Manager Ken Rozelle.
At this point, nothing is moving forward on the new tax, as the district is still exploring the option and the Putnam County Council is the county board that would have to approve. However, Berry, whose district includes Floyd Township, gave his blessing.
“I think it’s a great idea, that way you have a steady, sustainable source of revenue,” Berry said. “I’m surprised you didn’t already have one.”
The next meeting of the Putnam County Commissioners is set for 9 a.m. on Monday, March 4 on the first floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.