The Indiana Department of Transportation will start working on improvements at the intersection of McGalliard Road and the U.S. 35 Muncie Bypass on Wednesday.
INDOT will add an acceleration lane on southbound U.S. 35 Bypass for traffic that is turning onto the bypass from eastbound McGalliard. The right lane on the U.S. 35 Bypass will be lengthened for motorists turning onto westbound McGalliard. There will also be a new traffic signal installed.
Plans to do construction on the intersection started about a year and a half ago, Harry Maginity, public information director at INDOT, said. At a meeting with businesses, employees and legislators, it was decided to add a stop and leave that area as an intersection instead of a interchange to ensure stores and restaurants from nearby did not go out of business, Maginity said.
"We want to limit our lights and stops. The less lights and stops, the safer it is to drive on the bypass," he said. "We had our own plans, to make an interchange, but businesses were opposed."
Completion for the construction is set to be Sept. 24, although the weather or other circumstances could extend the date. There will be no detours, but there will be lane restrictions, Maginity said.
INDOT officials are also working to fix the intersection of Centennial Avenue and the U.S. 35 Bypass. Maginity said there have been many serious accidents on that intersection, so the plans are to turn it into an interchange. However, construction will not be scheduled until April 2011.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
