INDOT halts proposed turn lane change at US 35 and Riggin Road after public opposition

After much public opposition, the Indiana Department of Transportation says it won’t adjust traffic on US-35 at Riggin Road.

INDOT had proposed removing the left-hand turn lanes and the median from US 35, allowing only right turns at the Muncie Bypass. The agency had cited what it called a high number of “incapacitating” crashes and several property damage crashes.

But at a public hearing on the proposal last month, Delaware County law enforcement officials said they didn’t remember responding to those accidents.

Governmental bodies in both Delaware County and Muncie submitted letters of opposition to INDOT over the change.

Now the agency says it won’t move forward with the change.

In a statement, it says: “In response to public feedback and additional traffic data analysis, INDOT has placed the project on hold and will continue to monitor traffic conditions and crash data at the intersection. Should data in the future point to an increase in crashes and elevated safety risks, INDOT will work with stakeholders to determine the best path forward to make the intersection as safe as possible for all users.”