Construction of a single-lane roundabout at Strawtown Avenue and Ind. 37 in north Noblesville began this week. The $1.6 million project includes a roundabout at the intersection and a bridge-deck overlay on Ind. 37 over the White River in Strawtown.
Because Ind. 37 will remain open, a temporary signal has been put in place for driving restrictions and traffic switches, expected to last approximately 90 days. The final traffic switch on Ind. 37 is scheduled for mid-May.
Strawtown Avenue will be closed for up to 90 days. Detour signs will direct traffic around the construction site via Madison Street, Ind. 37, 216th Street, Victory Chapel Road and Craig Avenue. The intersection will be fully open to all traffic this fall.
Indiana Dept. of Transportation officials said the need for the improvement comes from a goal to improve safety at the intersection by improving sight distance and reducing speeds. Accident data suggests a significant number of right-angle collisions due to the Strawtown Avenue traffic crossing or turning onto Ind. 37. Although the speed limit was lowered from 55 mph to 40 mph in 2014, high speeds continue to be observed at the location.
“The proposed roundabout will ensure a significant increase in safety, due to the fact that, compared to traditional intersections, roundabouts cause an 82 percent reduction in fatalities and injuries and a 44 percent reduction in overall crashes,” a statement from INDOT reads.
