Rash of U.S. 231 fatalities sparks change near school

LINDEN -- Since 2003, Montgomery County has seen 25 fatalities occur on U.S. 231.

"After every fatality," Indiana Department of Transportation Deputy Director Alan Plunkett said, "we look to see what we can do to make the road safer."

After consulting with highway experts, INDOT officials determined that one safety precaution would be installation of a turn lane on 231 in front North Montgomery High School.

INDOT crews have widened the pavement and added a dedicated left-turn lane for northbound traffic desiring to turn left onto County Road 580 North and into North Montgomery.

That work has been completed except for finishing touches on the roadway.

"The pavement was widened by adding a 12-foot lane on the east side of U.S. 231," an INDOT press release stated.

"This widening added nearly 900 feet of new pavement," the press release continued. "This newly added lane extends approximately from CR 550 North to beyond the North Montgomery High School entrance. The addition of a dedicated left-turn lane forces motorists turning left to change lanes while through traffic continues without changing lanes."