Eastbound traffic on Thursday, April 7, was at a standstill near Anchorage Road in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Motorists who travel US 30 regularly through Kosciusko County are experiencing one of the biggest local constructions zones in recent memory – if not ever.

There are orange and white-striped construction barrels and other markings along a 12-mile stretch of the highway from the Popeyes restaurant in Warsaw all the way west to a spot just east of Etna Green.

Ongoing construction along that same stretch began last year and is expected to continue through the end of the year and includes plenty of small projects involving bridges, road improvements and paving.

Construction revved up this year in early March and has led to congestion and backups during some peak travel periods because of lane closures.

Financially, the combined cost of just the asphalt resurfacing and six bridges (one each for east and west traffic) over three waterways totals $21,199,625. The asphalt work is expected to cost somewhere around $18 million, according to Hunter Petroviak, INDOT’s public relations director for the northeast district.

“It is a big project, but it’s just one of many things we continue to do to keep our roadways up to date and safe,” Petroviak said. “It can be frustrating for people, yet, think about long-term and what it will mean in the end.”

The latest complication for some motorists is expected to begin this week when INDOT closes the westbound US 30 ramp for traffic headed south on SR 15.

The official INDOT detour for the ramp is SR 15 to SR 25 to SR 19 to US 30. 

But Staci Young, assistant to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, said they expect motorists headed south on SR 15 will frequently choose to take CR 300N to CR 150W to head west on US 30. Drivers will also likely use the Anchorage Road connection to US 30. 

Young said they plan to have an increased police patrol in the Madison Elementary School zone along CR 300N to ensure the safety of students.

INDOT announced last week plans to close the ramp on Monday, April 11, but it was still open early Tuesday.

Law enforcement is lending a hand with a bigger presence in the work zones, with patrols traversing the east and westbound lanes.

The Indiana Work Zone Safety Law sets steep penalties for driving infractions within highway work zones. First-time citations for speeding in a work zone result in a $300 fine. The fine increases to $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense within three years. Motorists who drive recklessly face fines up to $5,000. Drivers who injure or kill a highway worker may end up paying a $10,000 fine and serving up to six years in prison.

INDOT and the city of Warsaw are offering simple advice; avoid the highway if you can. Otherwise, give yourself more time to reach your destination, pay attention to speed limits and be on the lookout for construction workers.

“We ask residents to please plan additional travel time to allow for flexibility in navigating around the closure and temporary congestion,” Young said.

Eastbound traffic on US 30 was backed up at times on Thursday, April 7. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.