By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Working with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and North Adams Schools officials, Decatur officials have brought about some changes in traffic lights at the US 224/Jackson St. intersection at Bellmont High School.
The change, city Operations Manager Jeremy Gilbert said, was due to several traffic accidents and “near misses” prior to school hours starting and at dismissal times in the past.
Leaving Bellmont, westbound drivers now will see a new left-turn arrow. A new left-turn arrow will also be seen by people coming to the intersection off Jackson St.
Gilbert said the city had applied for some HSIP (Hoosier Safety Improvement Program) funds in order to add a turn lane at the intersection, but the cost was too great.
“So we talked with INDOT about putting a turn arrow on the traffic signal to hold the other traffic and allow people to turn (north)east, hoping this will avoid future accidents,” Gilbert explained.
“They agreed, so we will see how effective it will be in August when schools starts back up. It should make a difference with the confusion of who goes first when the kids are leaving the school campus and when the other people are trying to turn left.”
Mayor Dan Rickord, former city engineer Nate Rumschlag and Gilbert were involved in the planning of the project, along with North Adams Superintendent Kim Hiatt and Director of Operations Scott Miller, plus INDOT officials.
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