Our Town Council representative responded this week that no road changes will be made other than the addition of ZPD monitoring. Our Town Hall representative however did pass information to our Department of Public Works/Transportation for a response.
This message was sent to our Boone County Commissioners. The Boone County Highway Dept may be able to provide a response and possibly (hopefully) some modifications. Nothing is guaranteed but we have heard from several people that the west leg of 400S and north leg of 875E is managed by the COUNTY not the town.
Dated 04/14/2023
to:
Nick Parr <nparr@co.boone.in.us>,
enieshalla@co.boone.in.us,
tbeyer@co.boone.in.us,
commissioners@co.boone.in.us,
awilliams@co.boone.in.us
I have included multiple Boone County government official addressees in effort to find the appropriate contact to direct this request for improvements at Zionsville 875E/400S prior to June 1 Oak Street Detour. Please forward as appropriate.
HISTORY
Back in 2021, a petition was started by a group of neighbors who were concerned with the number of near misses on a daily basis along with an increase of severity of the accidents. This petition is still circulating and growing, with over 300 signatures of people who live near and/or frequent this route.
PRIOR MODIFICATIONS
As a result of the petition, the Town of Zionsville conducted a 24 hour surveillance study involving vehicle count (and possibly speed). They also compiled historical data of recorded crashes. From that data, the town did make signage additions on the east side of 875E Those signs included a second STOP sign on the left side of the road and an OPPOSING TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP sign. An OPPOSING TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP sign was also added to the 400S west leg (or was already there). Also trees on the north east side of the intersection were trimmed which helped with visibility of opposing traffic greatly Note that the west leg of 400S does not have any warning signal or sign regarding the upcoming stop sign. Also, the west leg of 400S has limited visibility of oncoming traffic due to the utility box and location of the stopping point.
NEW CONCERNS
Since the 2021 study, town growth with significant construction has occurred causing the traffic study count to be outdated. The additions include Trailside Elementary and the ongoing construction of multiple subdivisions. Both changes have increased not only traffic volume, but type of vehicles (dump trucks, cement trucks, school buses).This has not been taken into account. In addition, this route is frequented by avid groups of cyclists and runners during the spring, summer and fall.
There are now plans to reroute all Oak Street traffic through this intersection heading north and south on 875 starting June 1.
The current speed on 875 is 40mph which makes for significant impact accidents with even passenger vehicles. Then add on the complexity and risk of more high weight vehicles at 40mph.
CRASH HISTORY
(quick glance of reported 2021 data not reflect the actual story)
There have been 3 significant t-bone accidents here in the last 3 months in 2023 already The data may not look significant (only slight bruising and cuts per our town council rep Bryan Traylor) but we must understand that these are HIGHER SPEED T-BONE/SIDE IMPACT accidents (40mph plus) in which the drivers and passengers have been very fortunate to escape only bruised. Cars have been totaled and been thrown (including overturning of vehicles) towards utility poles. These accidents could have been much worse with these factors involved
CURRENT REQUESTS/PETITION:
Here's what we are asking at minimum. A four way stop is not likely ( per Town reps, these types of changes, although safe, could completely "cripple traffic"). I understand that this will probably never happen even with the detour. What I can't understand is why other minimally expensive easy temporary fixes cannot be implemented until the roundabout.
Would the county help with considering:
1) Addition of at least minimal (inexpensive) stop sign spinners heading east, flashing lights or additional signage warning drivers of these stop signs.
2) Reducing speed on 875 also would reduce impact when crashes do (and will) continue to occur at least during detour dates
Yes, there are driver/human errors and factors (speed, distraction, aggressive driving) that are contributing to these accidents, but that is a police enforcement issue. We have been told that will increase during the detour.
Please direct us to someone with whom we can request modifications on this intersection.
Petition:
https://www.change.org/875400safety