[Southsider2k12]

The Ohio and Hwy 20 intersection needs changes badly, but it has nothing to do with intersection. They need to knock down the speed of the people driving through there. Especially with truck traffic, there isn't enough time to slow down there. There have been some horrific accidents there, including the one that took the lives of the local high school girls a few years back.

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../07/news/n6.txt

Intersections may be studied

By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch

Michigan City wants the state to take a close look at some of the city's intersections.

The Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday approved sending the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) a letter requesting that the state study three intersections: U.S. 20 and Ohio Street, U.S. 12 and Wabash Street and U.S. 12 and Willard Avenue.

City Planner John Pugh studied the intersections and, as a result, advised that the city ask INDOT to study the intersections since they include state highways. Pugh also suggested that all three intersections have additional signage.

One of the intersections, U.S. 20 and Ohio Street, was the site of a fatality in December 2000.

“There was concern at that intersection about traffic flow and accidents,” Pugh said. “After looking at this and all the numbers and recognizing there is a problem, we would request (INDOT) be sent a letter and ask them to analyze the intersection.”

Pugh said U.S. 20, on average, sees a daily traffic volume of 15,890 vehicles at the intersection with Ohio Street. Since 2000, he said, there have been 56 accidents at the intersection.

“It seems that after review of these, there are three major contributions -failure to yield to oncoming traffic, improper turn procedures and disregarding the signal,” Pugh said.

The U.S. 20 and Ohio Street intersection has a traffic signal, but the city would like INDOT to take a look at the signal's timing.

North and southbound Ohio Street has a four-second yellow signal while U.S. 20 has a five-second yellow signal. Traffic in all directions has a red signal for three seconds. Mayor Chuck Oberlie pointed out that most highways have five to seven seconds when each stop has a red light.

“Ask them to note that the three-second phasing may be inadequate,” Oberlie said.

The intersection of U.S. 12 and Wabash Street had 38 accident reports on file. Pugh said after a review of the accidents, 20 were a result of failing to yield.

Oberlie asked if the lane configuration on U.S. 12 at Wabash Street contributed to the accidents.

“As you're heading west, you lose one lane,” Oberlie said. “It's rather confusing because that lane disappears with no warning.”

Sgt. Mark Krauklis of the Michigan City Police Department Traffic Division said the department didn't know how the lane configuration has affected the accidents.

“That definitely could be improved,” Krauklis said.

Pugh said the intersection of U.S. 12 and Willard Avenue had two reports on file since 2000.