Councilman #2,

At last Thursday's Commissioner meeting I made a motion for the County to commit $110,000 for a traffic light at Salem-Noble Road, and to extend the turning lane off of highway 62 to 150 feet from its current 50 feet. This would be roughly half of the cost to do the work, I was then hoping the Jeffersonville city council would commit the other $110,000. Unfortunately the motion died for a "lack of a second".


The numbers provided came from Jorge Lenz, of Jacobi, Toombes and Lenz, in a conversation I had with him before Thursday's meeting he said if the State paid for the light it would likely be at least 2 years, I think that's way to long to address a dangerous intersection don't you?

The County is going to pay for a traffic study, and I have also gone before the County Council and I believe they are in unanimous agreement to fund half of the cost of the light and the turning lane out of the "Major Moves" account. Luckily for both of us the City also has the money in the same account.

Even though my motion died before the commissioner's, the study will go forward, and after the first of the year there will be a new Commissioner to work with, and I can bring it up again. Will you support the city paying for half the cost of this project so we don't have to wait two years on the State?


Thanks, Mike

Mike,

Continued "thanks" for your attention to this issue and for working to address something that is indeed a pressing issue. Many who do not live in the area or travel through it regularly do not understand how much the traffic has increased in recent years. And if Bob Lynn is successful with moving his development forward, it will only get worse.

Additionally, in the small amount of time since this was originally brought up, River Ridge has also put up not one, but TWO giant industrial buildings, and are currently working on a third that will be served by the Salem-Noble intersection. River Ridge "extended" Salem-Noble across Hwy 62 by revitalizing "Old Salem Road" on the southern side. Personally, I would think River Ridge would or could contribute, as well, but I don't know if they are actually expected to enhance infrastructure despite the traffic their continued development brings. Perhaps that is considered part of the responsibility of the County or City?

Either way, it's nice to know that you are out there fighting (uphill) for the things that matter. Given that it's an election year, I would have thought you would have gotten SOME support from at least one of the other Commissioners. I guess it's time for me to get my "Snelling for Commissioner" yard sign.

I can only hope that Councilman #2 will respond to this, and that he will continue to support his previous statements that the City would work with the County on this.

Thanks again,

Mike

Mike,

I have a few ideas I see that would work in solving traffic problems in the Salem-Nobel Road and River Ridge areas. I am no way a road engineer.

1. There should be a total of 3 traffic lights in the River Ridge area; 2 divided evenly throughout the entrances and one at the Salem-Nobel Road entrance.

2. All other entrances should be a right turn ONLY (towards Charlestown). To do this, eliminate the median pass across at all entrances other than the ones with the traffic lights. This would eliminate the cross over accidents.

Doing this will allow traffic to use the road that runs parallel to IN-62 that has been upgraded for truck traffic by River Ridge. This will eliminate the possibility of cross over incidents, along with the added traffic burden when a semi pulls across IN-62.

If you would like to discuss further, let me know.

That stretch of 62 is very dangerous. Drivers turning west (right) onto Hwy 62 constantly pull out in front of traffic causing a huge hazzard. I'm guessing it happens 7 out of 10 times to me. I've often wondered if the Salem Noble drivers are coming from the Meth Clinic cause they are as dangerous as the one pulling out there.

I'm not surprised this was voted down because those voting do not drive this section of road on a regular basis.

quote:

Originally posted by 612:
I've often wondered if the Salem Noble drivers are coming from the Meth Clinic cause they are as dangerous as the one pulling out there.

Some likely are... others are coming from the well-populated neighborhoods of Raintree Ridge, Windy Pines, Whispering Oaks (I/II), Hidden River, etc., etc. Keeping in mind the clinic, the access to 265 right there near Utica-Sellersburg and the school traffic to Utica, the traffic on Salem-Noble and Charlestown Pike has increased significantly in the past couple of years.

I was turning onto Salem Noble Rd last week and there was a long train passing. Therefore, I was stopped in the turn lane on 62 and there were two cars ahead of me. A school bus loaded with children pulled up behind me to turn onto Salem Noble as well. A portion of the school bus was in the very short turn lane and most of the bus was sticking out in the fast lane of 62. Traffic on 62 was zooming by and I must say it was a pretty scary situation until the train passed. This situation needs immediate attention.

Exactly... I'm hoping Councilman #2 will respond to this thread. I'd email him, but he doesn't think I'm real.

Bump. Where are you, Ed?

quote:

Originally posted by Supermike:
Bump. Where are you, Ed?

Galligan must have told Larry Thomas to tell him to "knock it off". Ed seems to not have much to say if you put him on the spot to make a decision without talking to TG first.

I think that longer turn lanes and a flashing yellow would be enough.
Do we really need another (Gas wasting) stop light?

Hey MB,

My original suggestion was a light that is "triggered" during peak rush hours, and that flashes yellow on 62 and red on Salem-Noble during the nights and evenings, mid-mornings, and mid-afternoons. That intersection also needs longer turning lanes so that truck and bus traffic can safely move off of the highway lanes, and the deep "holes" need to be properly filled to remove the steep drop-offs.

If you travel that intersection regularly, you'll know that traffic DOES back up (at least during rush hours) onto Salem-Noble. I've seen 7-8 cars deep waiting to turn onto the highway. Traffic on Shungate Rd., Charlestown Pike, and Utica-Sellersburg Road has also increased from people trying to avoid this intersection. Also, the East/Northbound traffic on 62 also backs up onto the highway at times from people waiting to turn onto Salem-Noble. This will only continue to increase as the new buildings in River Ridge that are right at this intersection are opened up in the coming months.

I emailed councilman #2 and asked him to please join our discussion.

I actually travel that area everyday, more than once a day.... I stress out when there is a train in the way,, much less a long line of traffic because of a traffic light. I personally do not want a stop light.

I feel that if there is a stop light put in,,, I will go another way....jmo.

**I like the idea of the longer turning lane into Salem Noble with flashing lights.

there does need to be something there. i rarely drive that way but this morning i took my younger 2 to a friends house at 7 am (still dark) and i was slowing down traffic looking for the turn lane. it is so hard to see thru there.

"At the beach", that intersection is going to get MUCH busier and worse once those new buildings in River Ridge that are going up right there open for business. You'll be wanting a light then, I think. I'd much rather have to wait 30 seconds at a triggerd light (or during rush times only) than to be killed by people crossing and sticking out into traffic.