Kokomo — Hold the phones, the state of Indiana won’t be yanking the traffic signal at Apperson Way and Markland Avenue after all.
The Indiana Department of Transportation Tuesday did a 180-degree spin on turning the busy intersection into a four-way stop, with officials saying they’re revising their construction schedule.
Work crews were expected to take down the automated traffic signal today as work begins to reconfigure the intersection.
INDOT officials announced the four-way stop plans Monday afternoon. Tuesday they sent out a press release revoking Monday’s announcement.
“Our traffic engineers came in and said, ‘You can’t pull that signal, it will create too much traffic snarl,’” INDOT spokesman Harry McGinity said Tuesday.
The new plan, which still hasn’t been finalized, appears to be installing a new traffic signal before proceeding with construction work and lane closures.
McGinity said he still expects traffic at the intersection will be down to one lane in each direction while work is under way, but doesn’t expect a full closure. The original construction contract called for completion on or before Oct. 28.
Now it’s unclear whether the work will be completed this year.
Kokomo city engineer Carey Stranahan said the now-scrapped plan for a four-way stop was discussed at a recent preconstruction meeting.
“I know [the four-way stop] was the best way to get it done this year, because if you have to wait for a signal to be installed, it’s probably not going to be finished this year, unless the weather is really good,” Stranahan said.
McGinity said INDOT has asked contractors E and B Paving, Anderson, to come up with a new construction plan.
“It’s still a little bit in a state of flux,” he said. “There are a bunch of signals tied up with that light in timing.”
McGinity said the project will probably be delayed because of the traffic signal decision.
When completed, the rebuilt intersection will have two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, along with a 12-foot, left-hand turn lane in each direction.
Perhaps just as importantly, the intersection’s offset angles will be largely eliminated, so that traffic will be able to flow along Apperson without hitting a curve just before and just after Markland.
New curbs and gutters will complete the improvement.
INDOT officials say eliminating some of the intersection’s offset should improve visibility for any car attempting to turn left.
Because Markland Avenue also doubles as Ind. 22 at the intersection, the state will be paying the $885,000 cost of construction.
• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at 765-454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
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