Evansville, IN – The city of Evansville has been awarded over $2 million in grant funding by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to enhance local roadways as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The funding will be allocated to five significant projects aimed at improving road safety throughout the city.
City officials have outlined the planned initiatives, which include a combination of road re-striping, infrastructure upgrades, and new safety measures to address traffic concerns.
The primary components of the project include:
- Re-striping City Streets: All streets in Evansville with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or higher will be re-striped using reflective paint. This upgrade is expected to improve visibility, especially during nighttime or rainy conditions, making the streets safer for drivers.
- Franklin Street Corridor Improvements: A major focus will be the road striping along the Franklin Street corridor, specifically from Fulton Avenue to First Street. This area will see enhanced road markings aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.
- John Street Corridor Upgrades: The John Street corridor, which has been identified as a high-accident area, will receive improvements at key intersections, including Heidelbach Avenue, Governor Street, and Garvin Street. City Engineer Mike Labitzke emphasized the need for better safety measures in this part of the city, citing the hazardous one-way traffic configuration on certain streets.
- Radar-Activated Speed Limit Signs: To further address speeding concerns, radar-activated speed limit signs will be installed in areas prone to accidents. These signs will be placed on eastbound Diamond Avenue as it turns into Weinbach Avenue, westbound Covert Avenue at the Vanderburgh County line, and westbound Lynch Road as it enters Vanderburgh County. Officials identified these locations as hotspots for traffic incidents and believe the signs will help reduce speeding.
- Traffic Signal Back-Plates: To improve the visibility of traffic signals, back-plates will be added to all city traffic lights. This measure is expected to make signals more noticeable, particularly in low-visibility conditions.
Mike Labitzke, Evansville’s City Engineer, emphasized the importance of these improvements for the safety of all road users. “Making roadways reflective at night and in the rain is very important,” Labitzke said. He also noted the urgency of addressing the accident rates along the John Street corridor.
The projects are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025, with the goal of improving the safety and efficiency of Evansville’s roadways for all motorists.
City officials expressed their gratitude for the grant, highlighting its role in helping to make Evansville’s streets safer and more accessible. The funding from INDOT is expected to have a significant impact on reducing accidents and improving the overall driving experience for residents and visitors alike.
