At-grade intersection for Project 421 minimizes impacts to historic properties, improves safety and traffic flow
MADISON, Ind. – After nearly a year of
studies and public input, Alternative 6
– the at-grade alternative – meets the purpose and need for Project 421 while
minimizing environmental and historic impacts. This alternative connects State
Road 56/Main Street and U.S. Highway 421 to the Milton-Madison Bridge with an
at-grade intersection at 2nd Street.
To make this recommendation, INDOT’s
consulting engineering firm – Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) – reviewed
public feedback, evaluated the impacts to historic properties, and conducted
initial traffic and environmental studies. Reconstructing this half-mile
section of U.S. 421 will address safety concerns and mobility challenges, and
help meet the economic development needs of Madison.
The recommended alternative will improve
corridor safety by more than 20 percent, while the grade separated alternative
improved safety by 13 percent. This alternative also provides an overall
reduction in corridor noise levels and fewer impacts to the National Historic
Landmarks and to properties identified on the National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP), when compared to the other build alternatives. With all of the
benefits listed above, the at-grade alternative also resulted in the lowest
total project cost of all build alternatives studied.
“After a year of studying the area and
collecting input from Madison residents, we’re confident that the at-grade
alternative is the best option for improving traffic flow through Madison,”
said Adam Burns, lead project manager for CMT.
The studies also revealed incorporating
the at-grade intersection improvements in Alternative 6 will decrease travel
times in the corridor by 40 percent when compared to the existing condition,
and 6 percent over the grade separated option.
“In the coming months, our team will
prepare the Draft Environmental Assessment for public review, and collect input
on the proposed new route and its impact on Madison,” Burns said.
The current schedule calls for detailed
design and land acquisition through 2018, with construction beginning in 2019.
More information is available at www.Project421.com.
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