[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=40558.94

Board ponders traffic issues near Pine school

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The new Pine Elementary School will cause additional traffic at U.S. 20 and County Line Road, but not as much as the new truck stop will do.

That's according to Michigan City Area Schools board member Jim Kintzele, who mentioned this Tuesday during a discussion on road safety.

Jeff Oltmanns of Fanning & Howey explained the process of asking the Indiana Department of Transportation for a new traffic light.

INDOT makes its decision based on traffic volume, as well as supplemental issues such as whether the intersection is a school crossing, Oltmanns said.

In a letter of request, the school corporation likely will say the additional bus traffic as well as additional vehicular traffic would impact the safety of students.

"INDOT will look at accident statistics," Oltmanns said. It also will lean heavily on statistics from traffic volume in reaching its decision.

Since the intersection straddles the county line, it will be necessary to work with Porter County Commissioners, he said.

Since the truck stop will be in La Porte County, it would be necessary to involve the La Porte County commissioners as well.

Kintzele said commissioners already are embroiled in traffic issues at Pahs and Johnson roads.

Superintendent Michael Harding said the board likely will have to address the intersection of Pahs Road and Woodland Avenue as well.

In other business, the board tabled a budget resolution that would have required the administration to bring the budget back to the board to decide which cuts will be made when the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance demands them.

In addition, the board discussed career and vocational education.

[Roger Kaputnik]

They need time to think this over?!