Widening Ind. 16 not given much hope by INDOT
By SHERRY LOSHNOWSKY
Friday, June 27, 2008 9:38 PM EDT
There was no false hope given at a meeting Friday where state highway officials talked about possible improvements to Ind. 16 in Miami, Wabash and Huntington counties.
Concerned residents, Indiana Department of Transportation officials and several local state representatives met at the Roann Community Building to exchange information about the rural highway. The residents' message to INDOT officials was clear: Ind. 16 is narrow and dangerous.
But that's not necessarily enough to get the road widened. John Leckie, a representative from the Fort Wayne District INDOT office, said according to his data the highway is very average in terms of crashes. From 2004 to 2007, on a stretch of 16 from U.S. 31 to Huntington, there were 118 crashes and exactly half of those involved deer, Leckie said. He said 16 of them resulted in injuries and two in fatalities.
"It has a very normal crash index; it's not high or low," he told about 30 attendees.
Data on crashes, traffic counts, the condition of the existing road, economic development patterns and other elements are all taken into account when the project is compared against other unfunded road projects in the state. A traffic count showed the road averaged 1,000 vehicles a day - as many as 1,600 near the towns along it and as little as 600 in the more rural areas.
"I'll be honest with you," he said. "(The project) doesn't rank well in my mind, based on the data."
Some of those at the meeting took issue with Leckie's numbers and suggested crashes are many times avoided because local motorists are well aware of how treacherous the highway is.
"The locals slow down (when they pass someone)" said Scott Schuler. "I think you need to give the locals some credit - they know the situation and drive accordingly."
"I've seen people go around the curve, hit the bridge, get out, look at their car and go on," said Jim Stuckwisch, who lives just outside Roann. "Not everything gets reported. My mailbox has been hit twice."
Others also challenged the traffic counts: Damien Mason said the construction of the new ethanol plant in Claypool has increased truck traffic near that portion of Ind. 16 permanently.
"Right now the trucks are hauling stone, soon they'll be hauling grain," he said.
The INDOT officials said they would submit a proposal to have the road widened with their next round of projects. If it gets approved after being compared against every other project in the state, it won't start until at least 2015 after all projects funded through Major Moves are completed. Also, right-of-way would have to be acquired which stretches the project length to five or six years at a minimum.
The possibility of just resurfacing the road was discussed as well, but the majority of those present indicated if the road was going to be fixed, they wanted it "done right."
Leckie estimated widening Ind. 16 through Miami, Wabash and Huntington counties would cost at least $30 million.
He said the best way for residents to help get the project off the ground is for them to talk to their state and federal representatives.
"We're the ones who make the priorities," Sen. Tom Weatherwax told the crowd. "If you want it to change, don't give up."
Bob Alderman, deputy commissioner for the Fort Wayne district, added that this week officials broke ground on a project in Kendallville that was initially started 28 years ago.
"We're telling you the truth," he said. "It is what it is. There is a need, but there's a big price tag that goes along with it. You have to keep at it."
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