BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. -- Truckers who use winding, hazardous Indiana Route 1 to avoid crossing state lines on nearby Interstates 74 and 275 are being put on notice.
Within a few days, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews will erect two large yellow signs that read: "NOTICE TRUCKERS . . . DO NOT USE State Route 1 . . . Sharp curves, steep hills, winding road and school buses."
Yet it's only a suggestion.
INDOT lacks the authority to ban semi trucks from the road, which is part of the national highway system.
It cannot completely answer the pleas of families who live along Ind. 1 and whose children board school buses that compete with 18-wheelers for space on the narrow, hilly road. Residents and members of the grass-roots Route 1 Safety Committee say the only sure way to avoid a deadly collision is to ban all commercial truck traffic.
They are grateful for the signs. They welcome news that INDOT will also spend $5 million to improve three Ind. 1 intersections beginning in 2000, and look forward to shoulder and surface repairs. But they say that it is only a start.
A first step
"We know that this is not going to eliminate the problem. But if it helps some, it's a step in the right direction," said Ken Maddin, chair of the Route 1 Safety Committee.
"For now, it's a matter of we take what we can get. . . . . If the problem isn't at least alleviated in some small manner, we'll be back, asking for more."
For years, residents of the area along Ind. 1, between I-74 in St. Leon and I-275 in Greendale, have complained about the hazardous conditions. Their fears grew as commercial truck traffic increased. And the problem is compounded by motorists heading for Greendale's Perfect North Slopes ski area and riverboat casinos in Lawrenceburg and Rising Sun.
Traffic counts show more than 2,000 semi trucks travel Ind. 1 each day. Truckers are drawn to the roadway because, on the map, it appears to be a shorter route between Indiana and Kentucky -- and, unlike Interstate 275, it does not cross the border into Ohio, where drivers face weigh-in delays and additional fees.
Neighbors began complaining to their local officials, county commissioners, state legislators and, finally, met with Gov. Frank O'Bannon in July. He ordered formation of a task force to explore possible solutions short of a truck ban, which can only be accomplished by changing state law.
This week, after three task force meetings, INDOT unveiled its plan:
The yellow signs will be erected at the Ind. 1 exit off I-74 and at the Indiana-Ohio border on I-275.
Passing or turn lanes will be added to the Ind. 1 intersection with Salt Fork Road in fall 2000; at Georgetown Road in spring 2001; and at Sawmill Road in spring 2002.
The edge of Ind. 1 will be rebuilt, with the addition of shoulders wherever the state already owns the necessary land, in 1999 or 2000. "It is very well documented that this road does carry a considerable amount of truck traffic. And there are going to be these improvements made to try and deal with it," said Mike Hofmann, INDOT Seymour District traffic engineer. "We are committed to making the necessary improvements."
The department will conduct another traffic study in about one month, to see if the warning signs have any impact. Mr. Hofmann said he expects truckers unfamiliar with the road to respond, as well as those who have driven it but never taken the conditions so seriously.
This is the first time INDOT has used such cautionary signs on an interstate.
"We're really hoping to have an effect on the guys who don't drive Route 1 all the time. If they see the signs, they might turn back," Mr. Maddin said. "And maybe some of the regulars will turn back, too."
Karla Henderson, who lives along Ind. 1 about 3 miles south of Dover, said she is still hoping for a better solution.
"I think that even if it deters a small amount of the truck traffic, the signs are a good idea. But I don't think it's a best solution," she said. "I will always fight for a ban and say this is not a safe situation."
Mr. Hofmann said his agency is doing the best it can.
"I think this is a case where the local people have taken steps to make INDOT aware of concerns over there," he said. "And we are responding to those concerns."
