(JACKSON CO.) – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to open the reconfigured State Road 11 interchange at I-65 Saturday afternoon (Nov. 21) in Jackson County.
Two single-lane roundabouts with interior truck aprons and mountable curbs were constructed on either side of the S.R. 11 overpass under the 96-day closure that began in August. This type of interchange is referred to as a “dog bone” or double roundabout. Motorists will enter and exit I-65, and continue north and south on S.R. 11 via the two roundabouts and overpass.
Roundabouts allow free-flow thru movement and also accommodate left and right-hand turns. They also improve safety as intersection conflict points are significantly reduced, vehicle speeds are slower, stop signs and signals are eliminated, and traffic is able to move more efficiently through the area.
The interchange project was a safety enhancement added to the $143 million added travel lanes project on I-65 between Seymour and Columbus. By utilizing the existing contract and contractor, the work was completed in a quicker time frame and at a lower cost.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and use extra caution as traffic adjusts to the new configuration. A video showing how to navigate the new interchange can be found here.
